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Hello everyone,
I am a 14 months post chemo. And I have to go for another three month follow up. Each follow up has been very different. I’m never asked to do bloodwork sometimes a residence will touch my pelvis area from the outside like a very simple touch and in my mind, I think how are you supposed to determine if there’s anything wrong by touching like that. Other times I’ve had a doctor actually put his finger in and push to the check. Not really sure what he’s checking and then other times I just sit there and the doctor asked me if I have any symptoms. So I guess my question is to all of you ladies isn’t a follow up to make sure nothing has grown back no recurrence?. Should I not be having some kind of ultrasound or CT scan or bloodwork ? I don’t know if all of this makes sense. I feel like I just show up and somebody asks me if I have any symptoms and then I leave. Then I worry until the next follow up.
Mitch

That does seem a bit odd. I had lab work 6 mo after last treatment. I would discuss your concerns with your doctor.
Sent from my iPhone

I am about the same post chemo as you and my first checkup was three months then another after three months. Now it is every six  months. Each time I have a CA125 level and a CT scan.

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Hello MitchOT 

You should ask for a CT, I went 18 months on Olaparib no CT until one of the oncologists asked me if I wanted one. My cancer had advanced. Had I not had the CT I wouldn't have known, I also wasn't aware that you can ask for what you need. Also I was having bloodwork done every 3 months, I'm surprised that is not a requirement. Are you in Ontario? 🙏

Vonnie

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Yes, Ottawa
Michelle

Hi, I am in Ottawa as well, yes please ask for a CT. We need to advocate for ourselves otherwise we're left in the dark. 🙏 Huggs

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@MitchOT that does seem odd. While I clearly am not a medical professional, from my understanding a 3 or 6 month follow up, with bloodwork would seem to be a logical approach. If you are experiencing any symptoms and/or something appears in your bloodwork worth investigating, I would imagine a CT scan would be requested. As per the comments of others, this is your health and your journey. Advocate and ask for more regular follow ups. 

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Thank you for your input.❤️
Mitch

I have just finished my chemo treatments and now will be on Bevacizumab for several months.  I asked the oncologist if I would be having a CT Scan as a follow up.  She told me that they do not do that.  Rather, they will monitor symptoms.  That leaves me very unsettled.  How do we know that the cancer is gone?

Super Mémère from Winnipeg

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I would at least ask the doctor’s for the ca125 test every mo or every 3 mo. I am on maintenance olaparib and get MRI every year. Lab test every 2 mo.
Sent from my iPhone

I find all this so very strange. It seems as if there is no recommended procedure and each oncologist can and will do whatever fits his/ her fancy. This leaves me very unsettled. My oncologist is very pessimistic so he seems to follow up quite regularly which eases my mind. I wonder if because the statistical prognosis for ovarian cancer is not good they just can't be bothered, think it is a waste of resources. I resent that because that means the outlook will never get better. My son is an anaethetist and he said patients really need to advocate for themselves and stay on top of everything. I would pester your oncologist to monitor more than symptoms. S/he can only say no but if you don't ask it won't happen.

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Great response. This is how my care has gone.

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My experience has been much like yours, MitchOT.   I've had 3 bouts of chemo since 2019, when I was first diagnosed.  Since then I've had regular 3-month checkups, without bloodwork or scans.  My gyne oncologist sometimes does internal exams and sometimes she doesn't.  I asked about it and she seems to want me to monitor for symptoms, which for both recurrences I reported to her before they were confirmed.
I have noticed that I lose weight with cancer, so I've decided to keep an eye on that and, if I start losing weight, to ask my GP for a CA125 blood test, because my results rise with a tumour.
Good luck!

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@MitchOT. I'm only 6 months post chemo I am on Niraparib so I have labs every 3 months currently and ct scan every 3-4 months while on this.  If I didn't go on Niraparib I was told only ct scan when having  symptoms.  My doctor said she does monitor labs though regularly but some doctor's don't.

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Hi @MitchOT ... I see our Teal Sisters provided some great insight. I appreciate @Gratitude123 's comments that perhaps your follow-up is predicated by your initial diagnosis, how you responded to treatment and/or how you've been doing overall. Regardless, the key theme I saw was to advocate for what you feel is best for you for both your mental and physical health. Please keep us posted on how things progress. Regardless, I wish you continued good health and positive progress!!! 🩵

#Supportandencouragement #Healthandwellness

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