UPDATE

nudgie

For those who do not know my story: 42-year old wife and mother of one. He is 23 yrs old. Had my Stage II N0/M0 tumor removed on 10 July 06. Also have a stoma or ostomoy. Will be reconnected after chemo. Never had any tumor marker tests done after surgery or CTs for the stomach or colon. Started the FLOFOX Regime of Oxipliatn, Lecuovorn & 5FU for 6 months every other week. Started having breathing difficulties after 2 & 3rd treatment so I saw my lung doctor on 4 October who performed same tests I had in 2002. Results were the same and some were better (quit smoking), so Doc feels it is most likey from chemo. Had a High Resolutio CT Scan on 28 September. Lung doc indicated no problems. Made me feel really good. Wanted to do KATIM's naked dance.

Had my 4th chemo today, 6 October. It really feels funning missing 3 weeks. Had to remember all the weird feelings, especially the jaw pain when chewing. Before my 4th treatment I really drilled my Onc Doc with alot more questions. I am kow as the the PIA patient (ha, Ha). Always faxing him questions at his office and asking before Chemo. One question was why hadn't I received a CEA test since I have colon cancer, so he added it and it came back, ready, 0.5. Normal is 3.0 in a non-smoker. I know that this is NOT an accurate test, but I sooo happy to get the good news from my lung and onc doc this week, but I am really nervous about starting the Neulasts WBC booster on Monday, 9 October. This time I really didn't read the thick information packet they give you because I didn't want to start freaking out about every side effect. My mind works against me for some reason. I have always been that way. Believe me I try and try and try to make my self think GOOD and POSITIVE thoughts but sometimes I don't always win and I know negative thoughts are not good for the mind, soul or body.

I really make me feel REALLY REALLY good, I am the type of patient that needs a COMPLETE BODY SCAN that will tell me there is NOTHING THERE before my mind will say THANK YOU

THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN AND FOR ME SPEAK.

KathiM

Go ahead, Naked Happy Dance!
You have many good pieces of news!

Also, a BIG congrats on quitting smoking! That, in of itself, is HUGE!

Remember your water (room temp). Flush that stuff OUT!!!!

Hugs to a VERY BRAVE LADY!!!!!!
Kathi

Betsydoglover

I know what you mean about wanting a "complete body scan" - unfortunately there is no test that will detect single cancer cells so we all have to live with some uncertainty.

But, you have MUCH good news here. Just being Stage II is (relatively speaking only I know) good news. A CEA of <0.5 is effectively 0 - you'll never know if CEA is a good marker for you or not, but regardless a CEA < 0.5 is great! And clear lung CT - well that is really great.

So, all in all you should be happy. It is hard to keep those doubts from creeping back in, however, but with time that will get more manageable.

Wish I could help you with the Neulasta, but my counts never dropped on chemo, so I don't have any experience to share.

Take care,
Betsy

shmurciakova

HI Nudgie,
That is wonderful news. I am so glad to hear that your CT turned out good and your CEA is also very good. Mine is also 0.5 and I have been NED for almost 2 years. I know what you mean about your mind running wild. Mine does that too.
I think you have a great prognosis though.
I am surprised that they even have you on chemo at all, honestly. When I was diagnosed, way back in the day in 2001, they did not put STAGE II folks on chemo at all. Lately I have been seeing many Stage II people on this forum talking about chemo and it is rather surprising to me. I guess something has changed, but I know my doc said if there were no lymph nodes involved that would mean no chemo. Hmm, that might be a good question to ask your onc about.
CEA is a good indication of something going on in some people. For example, when I had lung mets growing my CEA rose from less than 0.5 to 0.9 to something like 2.? and then 4.? A steady rise can indicate when something might be going on, however, the CT scans can tell you more. I would not worry about the Neulasta, I don't think it will cause any ill effects.
Good luck with the rest of your chemo, but I would ask why Stage IIs are now being given chemo, much less Oxaliplatin. I am going to ask my onc when I go to see him too, cause I am just curious about this.
Take care,
Susan.