Not any kinds of scans will be done!

[CoolBreeze]

The American Society of Clinical Oncology Guidelines do not recommend that kind of follow up for early stage women. Most oncologists follow this, although they aren't required to and some take patient emotional state into consideration.

Here is what it says, "The use of complete blood counts, chemistry panels, bone scans, chest radiographs, liver ultrasounds, pelvic ultrasounds, computed tomography scans, [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography scans, magnetic resonance imaging, and/or tumor markers (carcinoembryonic antigen, CA 15-3, and CA 27.29) is not recommended for routine follow-up in an otherwise asymptomatic patient with no specific findings on clinical examination."

My oncologist didn't order any either until I became symptomatic, and mets were found in my liver. The reason is these tests are not benign entirely, many have radiation, and they also don't pick up on cancers that are too small to be symptomatic so can give a false sense of security - and also, the opposite. Everybody has spots on their lungs and liver and bones and when you scan with no symptoms, those things are found and must be explored and it causes a lot of fright and nervousness until it turns out to be routine.

Unfortunately, part of having had cancer is living with uncertainty. But trust me when I say this - your body will know if mets are there. Cancer affects us, in more ways than just pain. Pay attention to your body but don't assume every single pain is cancer, because even former cancer patients can have aches and pains. In fact, we have more than most people!

While my liver mets do hurt, I can tell when my cancer is active because I get very tired, much more tired than normal. I also lose weight, even if I'm eating normally. I just don't feel right. Now, of course, I always feel bad but it was very noticeable back in the beginning.

My advice? Do your very, very best to try to put cancer in the past. Stop talking about it, going to forums, reading blogs - put it in the past tense, do any ritualistic things that help you meet your goal of being a former cancer patient. (Let a balloon go on your anniversary, write a letter to cancer and burn it, etc.) I know people years past a diagnosis who still live cancer and I don't think that is healthy. You didn't spend time posting on cancer forums and reading about cancer before your diagnosis, so your goal should be to try to get back to your regular life, while acknowledging changes of course. Some body function may change, you will have had cancer - that is something that takes time to put in the past.

Any minute you spend worrying about something that hasn't happened is a minute you have taken away from yourself. So try to enjoy your life. I remember the time from end of treatment to my mets diagnosis as a wonderful time with my entire future layed out in front of me. Don't take that away from yourself.

*hugs*