Can anybody give me an answer?

philip1966 · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 6:12 pm Post subject: Can anybody give me an answer?

I was diagnosed with indolent NHL back in october after a routine checkup and then a biopsy and other tests. I was told that I would need to be checked every few months but I have had no appointment now for our months.... is this normal? What is the normal period between checkups?
thanks

Orange Agent

Your specific question can best be answered by your doctor, but I can say that one recognized type of treatment (depending on your condition) is "Wait and See". As long as the conditions seem to be mild and non-aggressive it's easier (and I'm told as long term effective) as jumping right in and start shooting you up with chemo medicines.

But you should have some sort of checkup schedule. Mine is normally every 90 days but has been extended up to 180 days. In a three year period twice they've determined that I needed chemo, the other time my doctor has simply asked about my symptons (night sweats, new conditions, fevers, pain, etc) and followed it up with examining (by touch) my major lymph glands.

My advice ..... call your doctor and ask them when he wants to see you, and when you do go in again, take a list of questions to ask him (I do every single time and often get surptise answers).
Luck

Burt
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Burt

Roberta1

Hi!
I definitely agree with Burt. Best thing to do is to call your Doc and ask! I think everyone's "schedule" will differ according to diagnosis, symptoms, Dr, etc. Hope you get an answer soon, best wishes for your next check-up!
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Love and Prayers
Berta

Debbiefix · Regular Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 15 Location: CT

Yep you're on "watch and wait". You'll probably be checked every 3 months and after 2 visits, with no changes, they may start checking you every 6 months. You may have just CT scans or you may have CT and PET scans, possibly bone marrow biopsy which isn't a big deal. I was so relieved to hear that I had this for at least 20 years, that I think adrenaline kicked in during the bone marrow biopsy....I felt nothing, just a little tapping, but no pain at all. They give you a novacaine shot to do that by the way, and it's nothing to fear. If I can do it, anyone can.

philip1966

Thanks for your replies..
I haven't been on here for awhile and I have been to the doctor since and I now know what is happening.
I am on "wait and see" and I have had loads of test since, including bone marrow that hurt but wasn't really bad.

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