Maxicat - you ok?

I am here...just sent you a message.  We have a plan now!  my latest scan looks good but I am still having the flank pain.  My dr took my case before a tumor board and they a agreed that a laparoscopic surgery is the way to go. taht for some of us, this disease does not always show up on scans.  The pain and the CEA activity are enough to suspect that something may be going on.  They are also going to look at my ovaries... He thinks that they may need to come out.  The surgery will be in July, I have a few things going on with the family in June.

pthe dr was surprised how we made it to him.  That my local oncologist was not willing to refer me to a specialist...that we pretty much had to do our own research.  But he did say that my instincts we spot on... That there is a figh probability of peritoneal spread and that I've would much rather start treating or monitoring me now than to wait until the cancebecomes back....and that too often they see patients after they have been "mismanathe diseases disease has come back with a vengeance.  The goal of the surgery is to see if there is any activity that can't be seen on scans for whatever reason and to determine if I need the HIPEC.  He also wants to Sloak at my ovaries ... Thinking that they might need to come out.  If they find nothing, then the plan is to rescan in 6 months and thePIF nothing repeat the lap at 1 year.  In the meantime, one of the preps I need to do for the surgery is to get another colonoscopy...ick.

i am hoping to catch up with everyone here over the weekend.

Alex

marbleotis said:

CEA

Maxi,

 

Has your cea been changing?

It has been up slightly...but still at the upper end of normal... 4.6.  But it was .9 at diagnosis and when checked once during the 6 mos of chemo.  It spiked up to 3.Something in Jan or Feb and then to the 4's.  it may just not be a good indicator for me.

Ruffy7 said:

Hi Alex

Good to hear you have a plan.  Was this Dr. Alexander in University of MD?

I could not get in to see Dr Alexander...he was booked between surgeries, a conference and vacation.  I right now I am seeing Dr Hanna ...but if I need MOAS we are thinking that want to go w/ Dr Alexander.  But not before we get at least one other opinion on the surgery itself from another Dr... Maybe Dr Sardi or Dr Bartlett.