New Historic Low for My CA19-9 Test

2

Comments

  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    ron50 said:

    G'day Craig
    Cancer does not have patience,you are persisting it to death. Best wishes mate. This board has been a diary of your life ,I am so glad it is heading for "happy ever after".Ron.

    Hola, Amigo:)
    Or G'day:)

    You guessed it right, Ron...that's been the plan all along...Time and Patience are the keys to my success.

    Outlast...that's the secret to everything:)

    Diary is a good description...the pages of my life have been scattered around here like ashes thrown upon the winds...

    Thanks again for being a part of it...

    -Craig
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    Aud said:

    That is just great,
    That is just great, Craig.
    ~Audrey

    There's An '09:)
    Hi Aud:)

    Did you think I could still be shovelin' it after all these years?

    LOL!

    -c
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    jjaj133 said:

    Craig, what wonderful news.
    Craig, what wonderful news. A Christmas Blessing that we all can enjoy.
    Hugs, my friend,
    Judy

    The Gift That Keeps On Givin'...
    ...the whole year 'round:)

    That's what you and this board are to me, J:)

    Now, please pass me a tissue:)

    I'm losing weight...down a waist size now...so, there's less of me to love...but, I still got plenty to go around:)

    -c
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member

    Craig
    You go my friend, you go!!!!
    Happy for you!!
    Hugs and love,
    Winter Marie

    "You're The Wind Beneath My Wings"
    So, I can do anything:)

    Get Well Soon, Winter:)

    You haven't outgrown me yet:)

    LOL!

    Love/Craig
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    barbebarb said:

    Inspiration-whatever works yes!
    You are such an inspiration Craig and deserve happiness and peace.

    I am now on my 2nd reoccurance. You and the kind folks on this board have helped me during many dark days and evenings.

    It's these stories and willingness to share that keep me going.

    I believe exercise, supplements, lots of humor and love, whatever works, take it and hold it tight to get you through the ups and downs of this disease!

    Barb

    Hey B:)
    That's nice of you to say...I've been sewin' it - one day I hope to reap it:)

    Recurrence is a very hard road...I've gone 3x now myself. I'm glad to be a part of your story and to have helped.

    Sharing is where it's at...in that regard, we are blessed to have a front row seat into one another's lives...we share, learn and experience with one another at a level much deeper than your average relationships.

    People just stay on the surface most of the time...cancer strips us naked - and with nothing to hide behind, we can just be who we really are.

    -Craig
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    Sundanceh said:

    Right On, Pete...
    I am closely watching how you are doing...if it works and could become available in the states...that would be wonderful...it would be nice if we could all be painted with the same brushstroke:)

    I've noticed you cheating lately with the vino and cheese...gotta be better than sea cucumber, eh?

    I tell you what I am onboard with...I do agree with you that INFLAMMATION is definitely part of the problem here...that's such a part of this puzzle.

    My way is not right...I wouldn't advocate it...but I tested a theory (like you)...and I willingly risked my own life (like you).

    I might recur again, might not.

    I just think we can get paralyzed with such fear that we're not doing something all the time...and while I'm trying this, I share it for what it is worth (like you).

    It's important to show the people all sides of the triangle.

    You and I may never know what's right, not really.

    I just see my numbers lining up nicely...except platelets. I'm getting stronger every day...taken me 18 mos...just seems like I don't need to add anything to my body chemistry...to my amazement, I seem to be improving.

    I continue to wish you best of luck...you know I gotta' keep you honest, Pete:)

    I'm the Yin to your Yang...

    On a side note...my dad's hoarder house has broke me like cancer never could. I have an empathy towards you now dealing with all of that...I just don't know how you do it.

    That's just no way to live...I know your hands are full there...I've seen the show...seen the sickness...and I have no stamina to deal with it.

    My mom has it too...bit it skipped me fortunately...lean and mean around here.

    Have a good holiday with the family.

    -Craig

    thanks craig
    dear craig,

    your story is one of hope and survival, persistance and inspirition, where does the will to keep fighting come from ? from your story thats where. dear rick just passed, he had peritoneal mets and massive surgery(i am on the list for as well)ricks did not work. i may do that surgery, but its so massive, i will try all else before using the last get of of gaol free card and to get ready for it. we adapt and learn from each other, the quicker the better.

    its just your ca199 is a great result, personally i have never had a ca 19-9 test, all these doctors and i have asked, even in germany, i will ask for it again. for the 100th time. but my cea is 39 down from 100 in 7 weeks with a range of alternative therapies, none of which you can get in the states. i will update my removab post with cea results.

    honesty is one of my goal values, and i have often told the truth when in some ways i would have rather not. even sharing the story about my wifes hoarding disorder was embarrassing but ultimately liberating. i actually had to see it for what it is, she is still doing it and i am filled with dreade going home in a week. keep me honest if you want too, if you feel I need it, its your choice, its a public forum and your free to write your replies. what helps me personally is the support and being challenged.

    this post is about your success and your strength and your skills at sharing a great story, your story. hope and being relaxed and inner strength are all attributes you demonstrate. they help me enormously, but what we have in common is far greater than our differences of opinion re supplements. and my friend what you call supplements and what i call supplements are completely different.

    craig think of me like columbus. when he found you guys ( USA ) all those years ago. his friends said be careful the world is flat you will fall off. your country was discovered in some ways by spanish pioneering spirits. I some ways USA has lost that edge. I have met far more aussies at the clinics here than other nationalities. maybe we are fools or geniuses. maybe elements of both.

    as you said time will tell, its so true and for us all.
    time also heals, you are the proof, we can help speed that up with surgery and supplements and lifestyle. its 7 years for all our cells to be replaced, your improved bloods shows our innate healing capacity.

    my mission is remission, when i am there i will relax more, until then its a more relaxed but still zealous approach to treatment. the cancer is on the run and i am not going to give it another chance, not while i have breathe.

    be well and smile, I am, your story is an inspiration. thanks. enjoy your health.
    the seacumber (none in germany) smoothies were horrendous, i cringe at the memory, some of the things i have tried.

    hugs,
    Pete

    ps removab clincial trial in usa i think, but not the off label use i had and dr chang offers dendritic cell vaccines from germany like i am having monday. its sad but money buys better health care, but thats a discussion for another time.
  • wolfen
    wolfen Member Posts: 1,324 Member
    Sundanceh said:

    Hola, Amigo:)
    Or G'day:)

    You guessed it right, Ron...that's been the plan all along...Time and Patience are the keys to my success.

    Outlast...that's the secret to everything:)

    Diary is a good description...the pages of my life have been scattered around here like ashes thrown upon the winds...

    Thanks again for being a part of it...

    -Craig

    Hi Craiger
    Really happy to see those results. See, good things come to those who wait.

    We kind of have mixed opinions about supplements in this household. You know, what's good for the gander may not be good for the goose. Except, in this case, it didn't help the gander much. Hubby has always been the one with healthy eating habits, taking many different types of supplements, quit smoking 25 years ago and look where it got him. I'm the one who eats all the wrong things, don't sleep much, don't do any extra exercise, and still smoke. Except for high blood pressure, I'm in pretty good shape for my old age. KNOCK ON WOOD Of course, no one knows the future and I could get sick tomorrow.(after my yard sale, I hope) I know that I am a pariah because I smoke, but I am always respectful of those that don't. I have to have at least one bad habit.

    Anyway, I appreciate your viewpoint on this as well as Pete's. It just seems Cancer doesn't pick and choose, no matter how healthy you try to be.

    Luv Ya,

    Wolfen
  • mukamom
    mukamom Member Posts: 402
    wolfen said:

    Hi Craiger
    Really happy to see those results. See, good things come to those who wait.

    We kind of have mixed opinions about supplements in this household. You know, what's good for the gander may not be good for the goose. Except, in this case, it didn't help the gander much. Hubby has always been the one with healthy eating habits, taking many different types of supplements, quit smoking 25 years ago and look where it got him. I'm the one who eats all the wrong things, don't sleep much, don't do any extra exercise, and still smoke. Except for high blood pressure, I'm in pretty good shape for my old age. KNOCK ON WOOD Of course, no one knows the future and I could get sick tomorrow.(after my yard sale, I hope) I know that I am a pariah because I smoke, but I am always respectful of those that don't. I have to have at least one bad habit.

    Anyway, I appreciate your viewpoint on this as well as Pete's. It just seems Cancer doesn't pick and choose, no matter how healthy you try to be.

    Luv Ya,

    Wolfen

    What a wonderful
    Christmas present I got reading your post!

    Shows what can be won by never, never, giving up.

    Gonna call you Billy Bad @ss.

    Merry Christmas!

    Angela
  • steved
    steved Member Posts: 834 Member
    Great news
    Your marker results are great news- are you still having any scans these days or just bloods?

    I appreciate your decision to go with no active conventional or complementary treatments at present. In each stage of this journey we decide what is right for us and we need be able to change and vary that as we learn about ourselves and our illness. Having just been through a very active phase of surgery it has now been decided to not go with chemo (joint agreement with my docs) and I don't really do complementary stuff so I too will be joining you in the living each day doing what I wish (in moderation) and seeing how it all goes.

    Each of us lives this journey differently and this community has always respected and thrived on that (with the odd blip admittedly!)

    Carry on carrying on. Whatever you are and arent doing it seems to working.

    Steve
  • tachilders
    tachilders Member Posts: 313
    Anybody else with stage 4
    Anybody else with stage 4 and mets to liver, lung, peritoneum (plus lymph nodes) not have a high CEA??? When I was first diagnosed, my CEA was like 6 (barely above normal), but the determination was that my tumors were quite fast growing and aggressive. Since that first test, the doctor's have never even had my CEA checked again. I am seeing a local onc for chemo, but also have an onc at Northwestern Memorial in Chicago (one of the top rated cancer centers in America), but neither one has ever ordered a CEA test since diagnosis. Does a low CEA mean anything wrt survival time?

    Tedd
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    wolfen said:

    Hi Craiger
    Really happy to see those results. See, good things come to those who wait.

    We kind of have mixed opinions about supplements in this household. You know, what's good for the gander may not be good for the goose. Except, in this case, it didn't help the gander much. Hubby has always been the one with healthy eating habits, taking many different types of supplements, quit smoking 25 years ago and look where it got him. I'm the one who eats all the wrong things, don't sleep much, don't do any extra exercise, and still smoke. Except for high blood pressure, I'm in pretty good shape for my old age. KNOCK ON WOOD Of course, no one knows the future and I could get sick tomorrow.(after my yard sale, I hope) I know that I am a pariah because I smoke, but I am always respectful of those that don't. I have to have at least one bad habit.

    Anyway, I appreciate your viewpoint on this as well as Pete's. It just seems Cancer doesn't pick and choose, no matter how healthy you try to be.

    Luv Ya,

    Wolfen

    "Mama"
    I did a doublecheck when I saw the word "Craiger."

    It reminded me of Jenny:)

    She used to call me that.

    Heading out to my "Yard Sale" now....

    LOL!

    Did I just actually smile at you?

    Luuuuuuuuvvvvvv!
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    steved said:

    Great news
    Your marker results are great news- are you still having any scans these days or just bloods?

    I appreciate your decision to go with no active conventional or complementary treatments at present. In each stage of this journey we decide what is right for us and we need be able to change and vary that as we learn about ourselves and our illness. Having just been through a very active phase of surgery it has now been decided to not go with chemo (joint agreement with my docs) and I don't really do complementary stuff so I too will be joining you in the living each day doing what I wish (in moderation) and seeing how it all goes.

    Each of us lives this journey differently and this community has always respected and thrived on that (with the odd blip admittedly!)

    Carry on carrying on. Whatever you are and arent doing it seems to working.

    Steve

    Hey Steve
    I'll start with "W2Go!"

    You put me out of a job, you know that, right?

    :)

    I'm really happy to see what you are overcoming...I know we do what we have to do, but still...you rock, man. I tip my cap...

    Just labs this time...next scan cycle Feb2013...21 mo mark then...I'll either blow the roof off this place...or, we'll stay with Door #1:)

    I just briefly got that excited feeling...weird for an ol' vet...I was borderline giddy:)

    That number has always been high or way above the average...I just got that feeling like I won one, you know?

    Moderate approach here too...the "Graze and Sample" approach allows us the opportunity to taste and still feel connected.

    What is Life without some of the Five Senses?

    Taste - Touch - Smell - Hear - See

    Let's see how far down the road is blacktopped:)

    -Craig
  • barbebarb
    barbebarb Member Posts: 464

    Anybody else with stage 4
    Anybody else with stage 4 and mets to liver, lung, peritoneum (plus lymph nodes) not have a high CEA??? When I was first diagnosed, my CEA was like 6 (barely above normal), but the determination was that my tumors were quite fast growing and aggressive. Since that first test, the doctor's have never even had my CEA checked again. I am seeing a local onc for chemo, but also have an onc at Northwestern Memorial in Chicago (one of the top rated cancer centers in America), but neither one has ever ordered a CEA test since diagnosis. Does a low CEA mean anything wrt survival time?

    Tedd

    CEA
    Tedd
    Hi. My CEA is 10.9-I have reoccurence of 2 new lesions in liver and a lung met that has grown.
    My oncologist at N. Western says she looks at the whole person...
    I have had moderately differentiated tumors but will know more in the next two weeks.
    Have a pet scan on Tuesday.
    How is it going with local chemo?
    I dread going to the city if chemo is next step.....
    Barb
  • thxmiker
    thxmiker Member Posts: 1,278 Member
    Cheers!
    That is great news! I believe Cancer is a multifaceted battle. It starts with mental strength and eating right.

    If you have a particular diet, is it on your wall? I eat real foods and make everything from scratch. No boxes or cans in my house. We do the juice thing once to twice a day. Juicing is difficult on one in the beginning and we are easing into it. (A lot of Bathroom runs, no pun intended.) My wife lost 35 lbs and I lost 55 lbs.

    Best Always, mike

    PS Go slay some dragons!
  • ron50
    ron50 Member Posts: 1,723 Member

    Anybody else with stage 4
    Anybody else with stage 4 and mets to liver, lung, peritoneum (plus lymph nodes) not have a high CEA??? When I was first diagnosed, my CEA was like 6 (barely above normal), but the determination was that my tumors were quite fast growing and aggressive. Since that first test, the doctor's have never even had my CEA checked again. I am seeing a local onc for chemo, but also have an onc at Northwestern Memorial in Chicago (one of the top rated cancer centers in America), but neither one has ever ordered a CEA test since diagnosis. Does a low CEA mean anything wrt survival time?

    Tedd

    Hi TEdd
    CEA is one of those subjects that everyone has an oppinion on but hardly anyone including doctors really know a great deal about. About the only practical use seems to be as a possible marker for recurrence. I had an aggressive stage 3 tumour into six lymph nodes. My cea at dx was 2.8 . At present it is virtually undetectable at0.4. I have had no recurrence of the ca and have been free of it for over 14 years..Ron.
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    Dear Craig
    Wonderful news and a great gift to Santa Craig just in time for Christmas.

    Wrap it up and put a bow on it!

    You deserve all the good news there is to get.

    Hugs,

    Marie who loves kitties
  • k44454445
    k44454445 Member Posts: 494
    wow
    Craig this is outstanding news!!! and this upbeat attitude you have is what we love to hear about! you better celebrate!!!
    hugs
    judy
  • tachilders
    tachilders Member Posts: 313
    barbebarb said:

    CEA
    Tedd
    Hi. My CEA is 10.9-I have reoccurence of 2 new lesions in liver and a lung met that has grown.
    My oncologist at N. Western says she looks at the whole person...
    I have had moderately differentiated tumors but will know more in the next two weeks.
    Have a pet scan on Tuesday.
    How is it going with local chemo?
    I dread going to the city if chemo is next step.....
    Barb

    Who is your doctor at
    Who is your doctor at Northwestern? I am seeing Dr. Halla Nemeiri, and she has been great. Maybe we have the same doc....

    Tedd
  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    You are an inspiration!
    And I'd be willing to bet some cold, hard cash that those scans next year will confirm the good news. I'm in the "not really doing much of anything" camp myself, and kinda enjoy it there. Hugs~Ann Alexandria
  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member

    the bell just rang, into the boxing ring steps pete
    on the supplementation corner steps pete.

    pete lands the first punch.
    what about vitamin d supplementation ?
    especially for all colorectsls ! see the recent post.

    hugs,
    Pete

    Where I live in Seattle...
    if you don't get your Vit D from a pill, you just don't get any Vit D at all! Sometimes ya gotta add a little something here and there whether you have cancer or not. AA