Doctor updates

I've been a busy girl these last few days having visits with my doctors.  I know a few of you are anxious for an update.  Ask and you shall receive.

Yesterday I saw my regular oncologist, Dr. L.  I've not seen him for 6 months which in the cancer world is like a lifetime and usually is a good sign.  As I suspected, there isn't anything to be concerned about. Blood work looks good.  Scans have been good (haven't had one since October though).  No lumps or bumps.  So we caught up on Johns  Hopkins and my recent surgery.  He also told me about some new drugs that came out last Fall that are showing great results for people with my same cancer but are not responding to the normal treatments.  It sounds pretty exciting.  But he said depending on how mine comes back will depend on our next steps.  He said he would do Rituxan again if it was low grade or one of these if it is a higher grade tumor.  We will just wait and see.  He said it is looking more and more like I won't have to have the standard chemo, R-CHOP which is fantastic news.  He thinks I am having these long periods of remission because of my Methotrexate use although we agreed the Prednisone was carrying the weight before.  We will see each other in 6 months unless I have any concerns before that.

Today was my follow up appointment from surgery with Dr. D.  He confirmed everything from surgery was good.  Little quicky exam where he confirmed I am considered healed.  I did ask him about my bladder issues.  He feels they are unrelated to the surgery.  I asked him about HRT.  He actually encouraged it EXCEPT to only use Estrogen.  He said the problems are with HRT that contain Progesterone.  He said HRT actual will keep things working well in the nethers, stop the hot flashes, keep my skin from drying out, and will prevent osteoporosis.  He said it also reduces the risk of heart disease and breast cancer.  I explained what I had been told online and he said it was all untrue. I  trust Dr. D and accepted the prescription for low dose estrogen.  He told me to use it for 5 years and then I can stop if I wanted but there is no harm to keep on it.  He still was confident with the surgery and removal of my ovaries.  I'm not going to worry about it anymore because it is already done.

Then I was very surprised when he told me he doesn't need to see me anymore.  My cancer risks are over and I can resume seeing a normal GP or gynecologist.  This of course is great news that I can cut one oncologist out of the mix but it is with mixed feelings that we said goodbye.  It has been over 13 years that I have seen him.  It is like saying goodbye to an old friend.  He said I can always come back should I have concerns but he doesn't do the routine stuff  and with my recent surgery, there isn't anything we need to follow.  I no longer need pap smears and a regular doctor will follow me for the routine physicals and such. I've waited for this day for many many years.  But I am a little sad.  He is an excellent oncologist and surgeon.  So I will schedule physicals with Dr. T but I just can't have Dr. T do a gyno exam.  That is much too personal.  My next gyno exam will be in 3 years so I have time to find someone new.

I'm ready to hit the gym and continue on my "wellness" plan!! One more thing behind me.  That is a good thing!