testing after chemo is done

laverne

Hi everybody, I am set to have my last taxol treatment on Monday, the 7th. A day that I have been looking forward to since I started chemo seven months ago. I was told that all kinds of tests would be run after chemo was over and then depending on the results either more chemo or I would be given the ok to start radiation. Well my doctor told me at my last visit that there are no tests that he can do. He's sure the cancer is gone and there is no test for cancer determination????? I am confused--why do some people have follow-up testing and some people don't? Do you think he is keeping something from me? Please reply with your thoughts, thanks and god bless.

nancys

Hello Laverne, I also just finished the Taxol and have started my radiation. My Oncologist did a blood test after the chemo was finished and checked many things in the blood work up. One thing I hear about a lot is tumor markers. I asked him about that and he told me they look for a pattern of numbers and that one tumor marker number tells them very little. It is just a "wait and worry" situation as you will hear from many of us here. There is no test to know for sure that the cancer is gone. Your Doctor is not keeping anything from you. I will see my doctor every three months or sooner if I need to see him for some reason. We just have to be very watchful and go on with our lives, continue to pray and be grateful for GOD's influence and the medical science and good doctors who have brought us this far. Love to you, Nancy

Unknown

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

24242

nancys said:

Hello Laverne, I also just finished the Taxol and have started my radiation. My Oncologist did a blood test after the chemo was finished and checked many things in the blood work up. One thing I hear about a lot is tumor markers. I asked him about that and he told me they look for a pattern of numbers and that one tumor marker number tells them very little. It is just a "wait and worry" situation as you will hear from many of us here. There is no test to know for sure that the cancer is gone. Your Doctor is not keeping anything from you. I will see my doctor every three months or sooner if I need to see him for some reason. We just have to be very watchful and go on with our lives, continue to pray and be grateful for GOD's influence and the medical science and good doctors who have brought us this far. Love to you, Nancy

I have read Nancy's post and OH so true. I have found that we have to really look at our lives and find a way to cope in a world less stressful and with little confusions. I don't think we have to waste our lives always with worry. I think we can all see something positive out of our experiences, even if it is realizing the prayers of others. I now find the simpliest of pleasure in pulling Dandelions and spreading manuer. I am sure some have already heard this line and it is..... Where there is a garden there is HOPE.
There are good people here for support and many of us still need it 5 years into our survivals.
We do know our own bodies,
24242Tara

Unknown

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

laverne

nancys said:

Hello Laverne, I also just finished the Taxol and have started my radiation. My Oncologist did a blood test after the chemo was finished and checked many things in the blood work up. One thing I hear about a lot is tumor markers. I asked him about that and he told me they look for a pattern of numbers and that one tumor marker number tells them very little. It is just a "wait and worry" situation as you will hear from many of us here. There is no test to know for sure that the cancer is gone. Your Doctor is not keeping anything from you. I will see my doctor every three months or sooner if I need to see him for some reason. We just have to be very watchful and go on with our lives, continue to pray and be grateful for GOD's influence and the medical science and good doctors who have brought us this far. Love to you, Nancy

thanks for the reply. I am kinda new to this site and did not know that I had any responses. God Bless you and know that you are in my prayers. Love, LaVerne

laverne

unknown said:

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

thank you so much for the reply. I too had the same type of testing in the beginning. I feel a lot better because of your reply. God Bless and I will keep you in my prayers.
Love, LaVerne

laverne

unknown said:

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

thanks for the reply. I will keep up the fight and with His love and guidance I know I will be ok. God Bless you and know you are in my prayers. Love & hugs to you too, LaVerne

laverne

24242 said:

I have read Nancy's post and OH so true. I have found that we have to really look at our lives and find a way to cope in a world less stressful and with little confusions. I don't think we have to waste our lives always with worry. I think we can all see something positive out of our experiences, even if it is realizing the prayers of others. I now find the simpliest of pleasure in pulling Dandelions and spreading manuer. I am sure some have already heard this line and it is..... Where there is a garden there is HOPE.
There are good people here for support and many of us still need it 5 years into our survivals.
We do know our own bodies,
24242Tara

thanks for the words of wisdom. it is so hard to know what to do and what not to do. I got so much "advice" from good intentioned non-survivor's that I forgot to trust my own instincts. my doctor has been wonderful and to even think that he would keep something from me is far fetched. looking forward to tomorrow with a great sense of hope. good bless you and I will keep you in my prayers.
Love,
LaVerne