4 month check-ups alternating between gyn-onc and gyn???

Okay, I had my first real check up with my gyn-onc not too long ago. He told me everything looked good and was really positive about my prognosis. He told me that he knows I am going to worry anyway, but that most likely I am going to be fine.

My question is : Is anyone else on the four month plan? Also, he told me if I felt comfortable with it, I could alternate between him and my regular gyn - basically I would see him every 8 months and have a PET/CT scan once a year.

I told him I didn't think I wanted to do that yet. I should have asked more questions... Honestly, I am just not at my best when extremely nervous and wearing a paper sheet I just haven't gotten the hang of being a cancer patient yet, lol.

I have been stewing over this for the past couple of weeks and should call and have the nurse explain it to me. So what do you all think?

I guess I would be uncomfortable with this suggestion also. I'm on the 3-month plan. A gyn/onc is a specialist in gyn cancer and its recurrence and I want a specialist monitoring me. My onc also said my chance of recurrence is low but that he would be monitoring for 3 years.

I think gyns mostly deliver babies and dispense birth control pills?

Piper,

I took the liberty of reading your profile. You poor dear....you're so young to have gone through such a horrendous experience. But you seem to have a great, positive outlook and I'm sure you're headed for a wonderful future.

I had my 7 week post-op today and my gyn/onc put me on a 6 month check with him and 3 month check with my gyno. I'm fine with that.

I think if you aren't comfortable, you should call your doctor and talk to him about it. If you'd feel better seeing him more often, then you should do that. You have to do what makes you most comfortable. After all, only you know what's best for you.

Stick to your guns girl

Congratulations on your impending marriage....I just love weddings!

Piper,
I went every 3 months for the first two years, to the gyn/oncologist. Now I go every 4 months for the next three years. I think that schedule is pretty standard for cervical cancer. I would NOT want to be followed by a regular gyn because he just wouldn't have the experience at seeing, or feeling, or finding, emerging cancers. He wouldn't know how to check for lymph node enlargements or anything else related to our diseases. I would not want to go 8 months between gyn/oncology checkups. From what I've read, and seen here, cervical cancer recurrences seem most often to be found by the woman herself, who has symptoms, OR the gyn/oncologist sees or feels something when he exams her. I've not seen anyone who had a recurrence found by a CT scan or a pap smear. For those reasons, my gyn/oncologist's visual exam, and feeling exams, are the most important to me. Even if my chance of recurrence is only 10%, I still want an expert examining me, and looking for it, just in case. I want any recurrence caught early enough for simple treatment options. My gyn/onc explained it me that way during one of my first year exams. If you feel the same, tell him that you want to see him, the gyn/oncologist, every three months. It's your body, your life, and your health. Go for the best!

Hugs,
janie

Hi Piper,

I am a little more than 1 year out from my surgery, and I am still on a three-month plan too (for the first two years, like Janie).

I agree with Janie that most women who recur (which is uncommon at early stage cancer!) have their recurrence diagnosed by the gyn-onc at examination (or based on their own symptoms rather than by scan.

There may be plenty of women who are happy to wait six months or a year between visits, but honestly, if you are not happy, then just keep on turning up every three months! I know it is so reassuring to see my gyn-onc, and honestly after what I have been through I just love to see him.

good luck

Hi Piper - I say ditto to the comments of the previous sisters who answered. I drive 6-8 hours (depending on if I want to fight big-city traffic or not) for my follow-up appointments, and I'll continue doing that until I make the five-year mark. I went every three months for the first year and now will go every four months for the next two years and then twice a year after that...if I'm comfortable with that. It's always stressed that it's my choice based on my comfort level.

The last time I went for a checkup, my doctor told me she had just that morning had an emotional five-year celebration (and goodbye) with a Stage 3 cervical cancer survivor. I thought at the time that if I had been that woman, I'd have a hard time not ever seeing this particular doctor again.

I know how you feel; we all do. Do what you have to do to feel comfortable!

Hi Piper:

I am still getting the hang of this cancer patiient thing too. One thing I've begun to learn is that I do have some say in the treatment. If you wish to see the gynecological/oncologist every 4 months, then I think it's well in your right to do so. It's also perfectly okay to call up and tell them you've changed your mind, or that you need something explained again. Please try to do what you need to feel comfortable and keep your sanity.

Regards,

Blue.

Interesting post, Piper. In fact, this is what I do.

I had ov and uterine cancer. I see my oncologist every 4 months and I alternate seeing my gyn and my gyn oncologist every 3 months. My gyn and gyn oncologist both know each other well and are associated with the same hospital where I had my surgery. There was one situation last year where this worked to my benefit. I experienced some spotting and almost totally freaked out. It was on a Friday a.m. of a long weekend (either Memorial Day or July 4th). Well, my gyn oncologist was already out of town but I was able to call my gyn who was able to make room for me that afternoon. If I had stopped seeing my gyn, I would have had to go to the Emergency Room or wait until next Tuesday when their offices opened up!

I appreciate that this (alternating between the two doctors) is not the norm. It's not the 'norm' for my gyn, either. She is used to having patients move on. It really is an emotional thing for me. I have a real connection with my gyn and I like having her close. Also, with ov cancer, the early indications of a recurrance are seen via the CA125 which is done by my oncologist.

If you want to keep the connection with your gyn, have your gyn oncologist answer any questions you might have (like -- Is the gyn going to know what to look for on my exams?). Otherwise, if you are happy with moving over to your gyn oncologist, and you are not convinced that you will be getting the same level of care from your gyn, then make the jump.

By the way, you might want to consider changing your "classification"... You are not a cancer "patient". You are a cancer "survivor"!

Whatever you decide to do will be the right decision for you. Best,

Just wanted to add my experience here. I had 2 years of seeing my gyn/onc every 6 months and my gyn at 3 month intervals between those visits. So I would have a check-up every 3 months. This has worked out quite well since I live in a rural area. I can contact my gyn about anything that comes up and he will spend as much time as necessary to calm my fears. The gyn/onc has such a large practice that he could never spend that amount of time with me although he has called me back in the evening and spent over half an hour discussing a problem over the phone. Yes, it doesn't compare with an office visit, but he can then talk with my gyn for further information.

There is frequent communication between the two and both will write a report to the other AND to my family practitioner. So, all three Drs are very familiar with my case and know what to look for and what tests I've had. I think that communication is very important.

With my first visit after surgery to my gyn, he explained that he only does this with individuals with early stage cancers and non-aggressive cancers. Anything that requires radiation or chemo, he won't handle the check-ups. So, it felt comfortable to me to keep the connection with my local gyn. Besides, what would I do when I reach 5 years and the gyn/onc cuts me loose and says I don't need to return to him? Start up again with a gyn who knows nothing of my treatment?

I think you need to talk with both Drs. Let them explain how they communicate and what will be done at each visit.

Linda

I will be alternating between my gyn and a gyn/onc every six months. At my six month visit the gyn/onc asked if I still wanted to see my gyn. I did, so he said I didnt need to see him again in six months if I saw my gyn.
Unfortunately, I dont have the best relationship with the gyn/onc. He is actually fine in the office and answered my questions, but I cant really warm up to him. He seems somewhat dismissive of my low-grade cancer tho he may mean it to be reassuring. He also may be a bit offended that I sought a second opinion from a sarcoma specialist. The bigger problem is contacting him and his office. He works out of a large cancer center in another state. Calling there is voice mail hell. For my last CT, he wouldnt order it until after the exam. He seemed surprised that I might be anxious to know the results! Just said call in a week or so. All I get when I call is a recording. Then somebody calls when I am out and leaves a message to call back. So I call and get a recording... I just went to the hospital in a couple of days and got a copy of the report. His office never even sent a postcard.
I have confidence that my gyn will be very careful and thorough when examining me. He was really shook when my cancer was discovered! (not his fault - it is a rare cancer that is often not suspected until diagnosed after a hyst) I know he will immediately investigate and call for other opinions anything that is remotely worrisome. And I know that he will communicate with me. I spent years getting him trained that way!