Six Month Checkup - Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Today was my six-month checkup with the surgeon. (I cannot believe it has already been six months since the operation, but it has.) So, after my radiation treatment, a dear friend accompanied me to see the surgeon. As soon as I saw this doctor again, I was reminded why I wanted to adopt him as a dad. He has such an amazing bedside manner. It still impresses me. Anyway, after the exam, we talked. He asked what supplements I was taking. As usual, when asked that question my mind seemed to go blank, and I struggled to remember all of them. He smiled and waited patiently while I tried to list them. Finally, I offered to bring him a copy the next time I saw him as the list will change when radiation is finished. During the appointment, he told me several times that he thought I was doing great and that I looked great. (It was nice to hear that, even if only from a clinical standpoint.) He also said that he wanted to see me in six months in order to decide what kind of follow-up plan he wants to pursue, whether mammograms only, or mammograms accompanied by MRI’s. At that point, I said that I would rather use thermograms as a means of aftercare. (They are less toxic to the body then mammograms or MRI’s.) He smiled knowingly as if to say, "I expected you would try to avoid a mammogram." Then he explained that the Comprehensive Breast Center was not set-up to use thermography. However, they could use infrared testing, only it would have to be in conjunction with mammograms and/or MRI’s. He explained that my score on the infrared test was a "three" the last time. The score he wanted me to have was "zero." When I reminded him that the test was performed before my operation, he smiled again and reiterated that my score still should have been a "zero." So, I am certain he will be recommending, at the least, mammograms as a follow-up procedure when I see him in six months.

One other thing he mentioned that I found surprising was that he felt I came through the TC (Taxotere/Cytoxan) chemo treatment very well. In his opinion, it was a tough protocol. I was under the assumption that the AC (Adriamycyn/Taxol/Cytoxan) treatment was much more difficult, so it somewhat jarred me when he made that statement. I had not realized how tough he thought the TC was. As we parted, he gave me a fatherly hug and said again how great I was doing. I wonder if I really could adopt him. :) :) :)