Confused

[wfshaw]

Hi All,

Ok here is my dilemma.

Two weeks ago I went for a follow-up visit and chest x-ray with my surgeon. Everything good.

He said he does not need to see me again and of course I said, "No offense, but I hope I never have to see you again"

Anyway he said I should continue to see my local oncololgist and pulmonoligist and of course PCP. Surgeon also said I should have a chest x-ray every 3-months and a CAT Scan every six. So last week I met with the onc who suggested a CAT Scan on June 9th (Already)??? and again in six months. My surgery was April 20th.

Today I meet with the pulmo and he says he doesn't understand why I even need to go to a onc since I do not need chemo or radiation??

So I told him what the surgeon said and he ( the pulmo doc) now is going to contact the onc and work together with him on my future x-rays, scans, etc.

It appears to me they are competing for business??? COuld this be????

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I was stages 1a, lobectomy, no chemo or radiation. All three doc's agree no chemo or radiation. All signs of cancer are gone.

One of my biggest problems is I didn't have my wife with me. She has all the questions to ask. I usually just sit and listen and sometime think after I left the office, "Why didn't I ask him that when I was there" I guess it's a typical MAN thing!!!!!!!!

[CharlieD]

Bill,

Congratulations on your dilemna! I can think of countless people on this site that would love to have it, to include me.

It would appear that some of the Docs are just more cautious than others, and of course some are out for the business and profit. Takes all kinds.

Take care.

CharlieD

[gail]

Where are these doctors? Are they all in one place?

I too was stage 1A, no chemo or radiation. Originally, I saw the surgeon 2x year, the pulminary guy 1x year, and the onc every 3-4 months. For 2 years I was either getting an xray or a CAT scan in 3 month cycles.

4 years later I still see the onc 3-4 months, CAT scans every 6, and the surgeon once a year. I did not see the pulminary guy last year, mainly cause I felt fine.

Take the tests that are offered. Some folks don't get them offered.

Did this help?

gail

[brm1949]

I would let what the pulmonary doc said slide and most definitely see the onc and get the scans regularly. Cancer is insidious and you have to stay on top of it always. Sorry to have to say it that way but its a battle you will be in for the rest of your life. Do not take it lightly and let up on your guard.

[jang]

Hi Bill,

My surgeon wants to see me every 4 months for the first 2 years (with a CT scan each time) and then every 6 months until it's been five years. Then he said that he would see me once a year for the rest of "his" life. After that, i had to find a new doctor. I had a chest xray 4 weeks after my surgery and brought it with me when I went to see him. I don't think it can hurt to see your oncologist. I'm still trying to decide whether I should go see one. Good Luck...

[wfshaw]

Thanks all,

My surgery was don't out of town and the surgeon recommendedI see both the onc and the pulmo , both local.

brm1949,

I know what you mean...It's a lifetime thing from now on. I have to keep on top of it.

I guess as long as the insurance picks up the tab it doesn't matter how many scans and x-rays I have.

Bill in PA

[daggiesmom]

I don't have a surgeon, since I wasn't operated on, but I did have bronchoscopy done twice by the same thoracic surgeon. Haven't seen him, haven't needed to see him since 2003 (diagnosed 2002). I see the oncologist every 3 months and have had CAT scans every three months for the first two years. Now on the six month cycle for CAT scans. I don't think it hurts to see the oncologist at all. In my experience, he is the one who knows most of my history and frankly is most interested in my health. As long as the insurance pays, I go.

Joanie

[Maryanne]

Hi Bill,

Joel was 1B and is in the process of having adjuntive chemo because of the B..

He saw his surgeon for post op and was discharged.

He sees an Oncologist, of course, for the chemo, but I am sure he would see him anyway because of the CT scans which in his case would be every 3 months, then after awhile of clean scans 6 mos.

He does see a pulmonary doctor, which was the first doctor he saw. He was recommended from his PCP. His pulmonary actually did the biospy on him. He just saw you last week, his breathing level is excellant and doesn't want to see him for 6 months.

So it seems like what you surgeon is recommending is fine.

Take care, Iam so glad the surgery is behind you and Jan. Good to see you guys posting.

Maryanne

[Connie B]

BIll,

I saw my surgeon ONCE after my left lung was removed, then I went to my Pulm. and my Onc Doc. I saw my Onc doc up until 4 years ago. The Pulm Doc's are very qaulifed to keep a close eye on us Lung Cancer Patients. (being they speicalize in the LUNG, I would think they would be the best one to hang out with) I still see my Pulm doc to this day,(10 years later), and he has ALWAYS done more follow up tests on me then my Onc ever did. If you have or can find a good Pulm Doc., I would say, go with him/her. They are just as up to date on lung cancer issues as Onc Doc's are.

[Debi]

Bill,

So you were worried about the different opinions the doctors gave you? We're just as bad!

I actually would be following up with my Pulmonary Specialist but he is almost 4 hours away. He had told me, on my post op visit that he would definitely be doing the follow ups if I didn't live so far away. I had gotten an Oncologist here in town and the Pulmonary Specialist actually told me that my regular doctor probably could do the follow-ups, I didn't need the Oncologist at all. Since I had already made the appointment with the Onc, I stuck with him and I see him every 4 months.

If the cancer ever came back, I would be driving the 4 hours back to my Pulmonary Specialist for advice, because he is the doctor I most trust.

[Eileen]

and to add to this confusion, I never saw a pulmonary. I went to an onc once for an opinion,but he basically said there was nothing to be done. I still see my surgeon for follow up, even after 5 years---He is the one that still orders my yearly scans. In the beginning, I think I went for cat scans every 3 months, then 6 months, now I am on a yearly schedule. So I guess we all have different experiences.

Regards,

[chloesmom]

Let me chime in here, because I'm on a different plan. I see my surgeon every three months for the first two years and he's the guy who orders the chest x-ray and delivers the results to me at my appt. If everything is ok after the two year mark, I see him once a year forever, and of course, call him if any problems pop up.

Oncologist--I see every 6 months. I don't know how long that goes on, but I've been seeing her for 4 years already because of the breast cancer, so I think eventually we will reduce to once a year if no problems.

Pulmonologist--I have never seen one.

So, there you go--another protocol. I think the really important thing is to keep up with your scans and/or chest x-rays, and it doesn't matter so much who is managing your case, as long as somebody is doing it.

For both of my experiences with cancer, the surgeon was the physician who managed my case.

Good luck,

Cindy

[Frank Lamb]

Bill,I still see my surgeon,rad onc,chemo onc,and PCP on regular basis.All those appts are a pain in the duppa but it's amazing how often one of them sees or notices something the others didn't.

Twice they have found tumors that others including the scans didn't find.(4 heads are better than 1 in my book)

[wfshaw]

Thanks all for your replies. I guess it's different everywhere. I think in the early stages of recovery the more x-rays and scans the better. I will follow their orders for now and see how things go. After all I only had surgery a month ago. I am aware that it will continue to be a life long check up, scan, x-rays and hope and pray for the best each and every time.

Thanks again all.

Bill in PA