cea rising

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krystiesq
krystiesq Member Posts: 240 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Rough day today. I got results earlier than mom. Recap..Mom DX 07 cc, stage IV. Colon resection, omentectomy, ovaries removed, tumors debulked. I am her caretaker. 12 rounds folfox + avastin...currently 5fu + avastin. last four CEA tests 8.9, 10.1, 11.5, now 14.5. I always call ahead to get results. Mom doesn't know yet that cea still rising. Onc suggested adding campostar after last CEA but wanted a follow up to make sure cea wasn't just fluctuating. I am struggling with do i tell her before her next visit (mon) or do i let onc tell her. I'm frustrated with the whole process. The highs and lows of living with this disease are so hard to handle and frankly i'm pretty sick of it. I can relate to the hurry up and wait post. She has mets to liver and I am terrified to hear that the increase in her CEA is because cancer is growing somewhere. I wish there were a way to make it all go away, not just for her but for everyone here.

My mom never wants to see the oncologist because she always fears the other shoe will drop and bad news is just around the corner. I am dealing with knowing that monday will be a horrible day for her and for all of our family because bad news is around the corner this time. I want to suggest another CT scan to see what the devil is going on inside.

It is hard to focus on anything right now, let alone work. I'm not really sure how I got through my hearing this morning. It was right after I got the results. Please pray for her. You're all in my prayers as always.

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  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member
    #2
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    Your mother's rising CEA
    Kristie, I am praying for your strength; it's a tough call. If it helps, my CEA had been rising so I started back on chemo a while back. Nothing ever showed on the PET scan. The chemo dropped it back down a bit, and we decided to let it stay at just Avastin for a while, watching the CEA count. I feel great and figure that as long as it's not showing on the PET, it's not been able to get organized enough to cause grief; which is the purpose of Avastin anyhow! Wondering, are you afraid your mother will "hate the messenger" if you tell her as opposed to the doctor? Or just want to give her the extra days of "blissful" ignorance? Are you getting help with the stress of caring for your mother? A support group? Massage once in a while?! Take care of yourself and good luck with the hard choices; I will be praying for you. Mary
  • Kanort
    Kanort Member Posts: 1,272 Member
    #3
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    I'm Sorry!
    Hi Kristie,

    First of all, I want to tell you how blessed your mother is to have you as her advocate. Frustration always occurs with the unknown, and, unfortunately, this disease is full of uncertainties. Since you don’t have enough information to give your mom in regards to what steps will be taken next, perhaps, you may want to wait to let her hear about the rise in her CEA from her oncologist. However, on the other hand, you may want to prepare her so that the two of you can formulate a list of questions to ask him/her. It is a difficult decision to make.

    Anyway, I will be thinking of you both and sending you good vibes and extra strength.

    Hugs,

    Kay
  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
    #4
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    cea rising
    I just wanted to say that I will keep you and mom in my prayers. Like the others said it is a tough decision. Are you able to call and talk to the onc just to find out what he thinks and what the next steps will be? It might help you to understand before the appt? I would agree with a scan just to see if any thing was growing. CEA can be touchy and go up for many reasons. HUGS and please tell us how it goes.

    Lisa F.
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #5
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    I'm praying that, whoever
    I'm praying that, whoever tells her, your mother doesn't lose hope when she hears the news. She's so fortunate to have you with her.

    Gail

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