Recently diagnosed

I was also 30 years old when diagnosed and because I still have young kids, I underwent chemo.  I had a recurrence in my lung and am now back on chemo.  Its not easy, which route you take.  Chemo or not, the uncertainties are always present.  A CEA rise can be a cause for concern, but not until the scans confirm it.  I had normal CEA even when I had my colon tumor, after, and even with my lung met (it slightly increased but still within normal) so I stopped taking the CEA test for my monitoring.  There could be several factors that can cause the CEA to rise, not necessarily cancer.  

Best wishes.  Keep strong!

plsletitrain said:

Hi sylvia

I was also 30 years old when diagnosed and because I still have young kids, I underwent chemo.  I had a recurrence in my lung and am now back on chemo.  Its not easy, which route you take.  Chemo or not, the uncertainties are always present.  A CEA rise can be a cause for concern, but not until the scans confirm it.  I had normal CEA even when I had my colon tumor, after, and even with my lung met (it slightly increased but still within normal) so I stopped taking the CEA test for my monitoring.  There could be several factors that can cause the CEA to rise, not necessarily cancer.  

Best wishes.  Keep strong!

thank u plsletitrain. every single word you guys have said are great help especially in these days of uncertainties. please keep me posted and i might have several questions though i know we have different experiences and side effects but i wanted to know and understand about my disease and i cant keep on going to the doctor because sometimes doctors answers were vague. i need to know from you guys because like me we're in the same boat wherein cancer invaded our bodies. 

ceotase said:

Hello Sylvia and Peter

This is a great resource for so many questions and concerns.  I've been registered for over a year, but only just started to post.   

About CEA - it can be a good indicator of tumor growth or reduction but should only be used as a "marker"  and not as life expectancy indication.  After I first began treatment I freaked out with every increase and then rejoiced with every reduction.  It was a real roller coaster.   I've settled down with the readings now and have realized (in large part to this forum) that a CEA increase is not a death sentence.   If fact my CEA was 1195 after my colectomy in January 2017.  After Chemo cycles began it has gone down and up. This month It's down to 45.  So from my perspective that's great progress, but if I compare it to so many who have less than 10 it used to be depressing.  So be not troubled about the CEA number. Your Doctors look at all tests and markers and should keep you updated on your progress. 

thank u ceotase never thought that joining these org. makes a releiving feeling. i'll keep that in mind. 

Peter, so sorry that you have had to join the group. Ugh, not the words anyone wants to hear. Know you have found a wonderful group here. There are so many that will give you their sucess stories despite the terrible odds. And please don't look into those stats online they are so wrong so antiquated and wrong. CEA can fluctuate for so many reasons so try not to fall into the trap of disbeleif if you do hit a little bump. My husbands rose incredibly one week because of cuts on his fingers! Even scans can e decieving sometimes. my husbands came in as mixed reviews this last time so we don't know what to beleive. Growth, shrinkage stability. All I do know is he has undergone almost a year of treatment and is still working and traveling and living life to the fullest despite being told last fall he had only 6 months to live. We just got back from Mexico and he had more energy than I did! This is just a diagnosis and doesn't define you or how you will react to treatment. I pray that you will find peace, have the strenth to fight and that you find NEDsville as soon as possible! Hugs!!!