Not exactly what I was hoping to hear - CEA

Kathryn_in_MN
Kathryn_in_MN CSN Member Posts: 1,252 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
After my resection my CEA was 2. It slowly climbed until chemo and during the first few treatments, and then slowly dropped back to 2 and stayed there. It was 2 mid-May after completion of chemo. I am back up to 8.1. I'll have a re-check next week, and then see my onc the following Friday (he's on vacation next week). For now, I'm just a little nervous...

First time back in the onc's office since the end of May. I had my share of medical crap in June, but it only involved the hospital and my primary. I was surprised by how much it bothered me once I was there. I sat across from a lady accessed for chemo. The nurse came to call her, with 3 little bags for chemo in hand. I actually gagged and felt like vomiting. I can clean up cat barf without trouble - but I can't look at chemo bags... crazy.
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Comments

  • HollyID
    HollyID CSN Member Posts: 946 Member
    #2
    Not crazy at all...
    I'd probably do the same.

    Kathryn, I'm keeping you in my positive thoughts and wishes.

    Love and Hugs,

    Holly
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  • greybeard64
    greybeard64 CSN Member Posts: 254
    #3
    crazy, yeah me too.
    I cant look at them either. went to the Onc's office yesterday just blood work and scheduling of the next scan (OCT). anyway I went to the back, my wife was talking to one of the nurses and there where all those lazy-boy recliners. One gentlemen was receiving his treatment and just like you I saw those bags hanging from that silver pole and my stomach rolled right over.

    As for those creaping numbers, as they say dont go lookin for trouble, I know easier said then done. Your in my thoughts, stay strong my friend!
    Chris
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  • Buzzard
    Buzzard CSN Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #4
    HollyID said:

    Not crazy at all...
    I'd probably do the same.

    Kathryn, I'm keeping you in my positive thoughts and wishes.

    Love and Hugs,

    Holly

    don't worry bout something til theres something to worry bout
    just keep up the good thoughts and you will be ok...Love to you and yours, Buzz
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  • AnneCan
    AnneCan CSN Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #5
    Sorry Kathryn
    I hope it is nothing but I know worrying is a b&%^#! As for the chemo, I am still on it + I try to think of it as what is keeping me here. Otherwise I would probably be gagging, etc. too. Here's hoping for good news when you get re-tested.
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  • ktlcs
    ktlcs CSN Member Posts: 358
    #6
    greybeard64 said:

    crazy, yeah me too.
    I cant look at them either. went to the Onc's office yesterday just blood work and scheduling of the next scan (OCT). anyway I went to the back, my wife was talking to one of the nurses and there where all those lazy-boy recliners. One gentlemen was receiving his treatment and just like you I saw those bags hanging from that silver pole and my stomach rolled right over.

    As for those creaping numbers, as they say dont go lookin for trouble, I know easier said then done. Your in my thoughts, stay strong my friend!
    Chris

    Easier said than Done
    But don't worry until there is something to worry about. Anything else going on medically that could cause the CEA to rise?

    Good Luck on the re check, hopefully things will have turned around

    K
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  • pepebcn
    pepebcn CSN Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #7
    AnneCan said:

    Sorry Kathryn
    I hope it is nothing but I know worrying is a b&%^#! As for the chemo, I am still on it + I try to think of it as what is keeping me here. Otherwise I would probably be gagging, etc. too. Here's hoping for good news when you get re-tested.

    Sorry kathryn
    I,m sure after doc visit you will bring us superb news!
    Sure!!!!!!
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  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 CSN Member Posts: 6,744 Member
    #8
    Bummer
    Rising CEA can be caused by other things and it doesn't always mean another cancer. Hoping that it is just due to something insignificant and you will be back to normal soon. Will be thinking of you and your upcoming appointment.

    Kim
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  • abmb
    abmb CSN Member Posts: 311
    #9
    thoughts & Prayers
    My thoughts and Prayers are with you. take care. Margaret
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  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 CSN Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #10
    Praying it's A-okay
    I can understand the nervousness. Seems like cancer takes away our ability to shrug off any symptom without thinking it might be a step back into ickiness. Hopefully your CEA is up for some silly reason, and you'll be able to sit back and enjoy for awhile.

    *hugs*
    Gail
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  • geotina
    geotina CSN Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    #11
    Hey Kathryn
    Sorry for the late response, been off the boards of a few days. Anyway, here is hoping that you have nothing to worry about. I get your site updates and you sure are one busy lady. If you can, take it easy, let your body heal. You had one of the toughest times I have every read about with chemo so now your body has to heal itself. Here is hoping that that is all it is, your body healing.

    Take care - Tina
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  • mom_2_3
    mom_2_3 CSN Member Posts: 953 Member
    #12
    Not
    It's not what we want to hear when we get CEA results but hopefully just a simple explanation and nothing to worry about. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

    Amy
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  • herdizziness
    herdizziness CSN Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #13
    Thoughts
    Thoughts and prayers are with you dear. Holding out for the best scenario.
    Winter Marie
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  • breezie
    breezie CSN Member Posts: 22
    #14
    I can relate
    Hi Kathryn,

    I posted a CEA question yesterday, should have scrolled down further to see your post. I'm sort of in the same situation. My pre-surgery CEA results were 4.5 and 2.0 (different labs) and my post-treatment numbers were 3.1 (Feb) and 1.8 (May) again different labs but following the same pattern. Had another test Thursday at Memorial Sloan (NYC) and the number was 4.0. Didn't get the result until I got home, they have a site where you can log on and see your numbers. Needless to say I was bummed by the jump and sent an e-mail to my surgeon looking for reassurance.....hopefully I'll hear something tomorrow. I took reassurance from the responses to your post and hope you did too but know how stressful it is waiting for that next appointment, test, result and breathing a sigh of relief when all is well only to be put into limbo again with another result. Please keep us posted on your next test and onc visit.

    Re: chemo - all I have to do is think about it and my stomach turns. I did quite well through treatment, had some neuropathy issues and other annoyances but always figured it could be worse but the memory of how you felt through treatment especially as you got closer to the end really stays with you so no, you are definitely not crazy.

    Hugs to you, fingers crossed that all goes well.

    Breezie
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