worried or maybe just paranoid ..

vanser
vanser Member Posts: 100 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi Everyone,

Quick question - my mom (for those who don't know - diagnosed Jan 2003 with Stage 3), recently had a routine physical. The results came back showing some blood in the urine and her hemologin has dropped a little bit. The doctor said that this is just a urinary tract infection and not to worry. Of course, anything abnormal worries me so I thought I might run this by everyone .. Any thoughts on if she should get a second opinion. Of course the first thing that I think of is that this might be a recurrence to the bladder...

Vanessa

Comments

  • Kanort
    Kanort Member Posts: 1,272 Member
    Hi Vanessa,

    Was this with her oncologist or a primary care physician? I am sure that it is as simple as a urinary tract infection, but I certainly understand your worry. My CEA level went up from 1.3 to 1.7 so I am worried about that even though I was told not to.

    Keep us posted.

    Kay
  • vanser
    vanser Member Posts: 100 Member
    Kanort said:

    Hi Vanessa,

    Was this with her oncologist or a primary care physician? I am sure that it is as simple as a urinary tract infection, but I certainly understand your worry. My CEA level went up from 1.3 to 1.7 so I am worried about that even though I was told not to.

    Keep us posted.

    Kay

    Hi Kay,

    it was her primary care physician (who is aware of her history, but sometimes I worry that she is not vigilant enough...) Your CEA level is still so low- I'm sure you have nothing to be concerned about !
  • CAMaura
    CAMaura Member Posts: 719 Member
    HI Vanessa, My docs have been following up with ultrasounds to verify things (classify spots on my liver, cycts on my ovaries - and the notations also carry exlanations such as: gall bladder clean, kidneys clean...) Maybe a simple ultrasound (not invasive) can clear up any worry for your mom. It is just a thought; I am sure that your mom is so happy to have you advocating for her....what an angel you must be! All the best and I hope you find answers soon - Maura
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    Yes, it is probably "just" urinary tract infection. But, if it is worrying either you or her (or both!), then you might want to pursue it with her doctors. I believe in getting things checked out, to help me sleep at night!
    All the best, Tara
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    Vanessa -

    OK... I'm going to sound like the worry-wart in the bunch here, but it is from close personal experience... Get a second opinion and a cystoscope. Have a urine cytology test done. My mom and my aunt are both stage 4 with bladder cancer - mets from their colon cancer. It's a hereditary thing. I get a urine cytology test done every year (I got the family "prized genes", too)

    It may be "just" a UTI, but don't fool around when a survivor has blood in the urine.

    - SpongeBob