I haven't wanted to post this - but I had my CEA done last week and it is 4.5

pamness

I was diagnosed stage 3A in January 2007 - 2 positive lymph nodes - clean scans. I had surgery, folfox, radiation with 5 fu, I have been ned since October 2007. My normal CEA doesn't vary much - 2.0 -3.2 at Mass General anything over 3.5 is suspect (not the normal 2.5). This week my CEA showed up at 4.5 - had the CEA redone and a CTscan - CEA stayed the same, CTscan was totally clear - anyone else had this happen. I didn't do well with chemo and don't respond well to many drugs - one theory is my body chemistry is a bit off - I am supposed to go back in 2 months for another CEA, if it isn't good, I'll go for a scan the next day, if it is OK, I have a scan a month later. I am a little concerned. I haven't had a PET scan, my oncologist (I trust him) said he didn't see the point, since nothing is showing up. My MRI's have been clear as well. I feel fine.

Any thoughts?

Pam

Moesimo

how about a ct /pet scan
I would request a ct/pet scan. I had a pet scan shortly after diagnosis as a baseline. I have had several since then. If the pet scan is negative, I would still keep a close watch on your CEA. I think that if there was something there the pet might light up and show it befroe a cat scan. My CEA was also always low. It was 3.4 at diagnosis and never went higher than that. Yours is also not high. I thought if it was below 5 that was ok.

Hang in there and try not to worry. You are being treated at a great hospital and it is good that you are being watched closely. Keep us posted, we are here for you.

Maureen

lfondots63

Cea change
Hi Pam,

If you are worried, you should request a PET scan. You are your own advocate. Also your CEA isn't high. Sometimes they fluctuate for all kinds of reasons that are not the big C. I will be keeping you in my thoughts and truely believe that it is just a chemistry thing too but keep us posted. It is canceritis that makes us always think the worst when something changes in our body. HUGS and we are here for you.

Lisa F.

doris2657

CEA
Hi

My onc tells me that everything under 5 is normal,He is at MD Anderson in Texas.so if everything else is normal I wouldn worry to much if you feel better having a pet scan done,insist he do one I have one done every 2 month.God bless you.

Doris stage 4 colon cancer

Kanort

Sorry!
Hi Pam,

I am sorry you are having to worry about the rise in your CEA. Hopefully, it is just your blood chemistry being off a little, and it will go down by the next reading.

No words of wisdom to offer, just know that I am thinking of you and wishing you the best.

Hugs,

Kay

usakat

Ugh...
Darn, Pam...I really can't offer much - CEA has never been a good indicator for me, but I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I know how unnerving the "wait, watch and see" approach can be. I'm in the same boat with the stomach thing (I will have repeat EGD and PET/CT in October).

As for me, I'm trying to stay focused on other matters, like planning Colon Palooza 6, a vacation home to California, and living by the creed of "live for today". Whatever happens in October will happen and no amount of worrying about it today is going to change my situation. I suppose living with genetic cancer-HNPCC has taught me how to do this. I simply decided that I wasn't going to live in fear of cancer - my mom taught me to live in spite of it and enjoy myself each day.

Stay strong, Pam!

Hugs,
Katie

P. S. Never hold back, dear friend...if you need support, comfort, advice, etc....that's why we're here...

pamness

usakat said:

Ugh...
Darn, Pam...I really can't offer much - CEA has never been a good indicator for me, but I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I know how unnerving the "wait, watch and see" approach can be. I'm in the same boat with the stomach thing (I will have repeat EGD and PET/CT in October).

As for me, I'm trying to stay focused on other matters, like planning Colon Palooza 6, a vacation home to California, and living by the creed of "live for today". Whatever happens in October will happen and no amount of worrying about it today is going to change my situation. I suppose living with genetic cancer-HNPCC has taught me how to do this. I simply decided that I wasn't going to live in fear of cancer - my mom taught me to live in spite of it and enjoy myself each day.

Stay strong, Pam!

Hugs,
Katie

P. S. Never hold back, dear friend...if you need support, comfort, advice, etc....that's why we're here...

I have watched your posts and admire your attitude
I have watched your posts and really admire your ability to stay calm. Although, I know, intellectually, that "it is what it is" I am struggling with this. Until January 2007 I had never really been sick. I am trying to adopt the wait and see approach and not worry.

Tell me more about colon polooza - I am a native San Franciscan - I live in Boston now but my family is in the Bay Area. I am thinking about coming but don't know what to expect.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, I guess October will be interesting for both of us.

Pam

usakat

pamness said:

I have watched your posts and admire your attitude
I have watched your posts and really admire your ability to stay calm. Although, I know, intellectually, that "it is what it is" I am struggling with this. Until January 2007 I had never really been sick. I am trying to adopt the wait and see approach and not worry.

Tell me more about colon polooza - I am a native San Franciscan - I live in Boston now but my family is in the Bay Area. I am thinking about coming but don't know what to expect.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, I guess October will be interesting for both of us.

Pam

PLEASE COME TO PALOOZA PAM!!!
Well...what you can expect is fun, fellowship and friendship. It's a great time for all CRC survivors, caregivers, family and friends. This year is going to be great - we're planning lots of fun events and San Francisco is a beautiful city. I promise you'll love it!

Check out the Colon Palooza 6 website for more info and if you have any questions, drop me a note at colonpalooza6@yahoo.com.

http://colonpalooza.com/colonpalooza/cp6/cp6 index.html

Think about it and let me know. It would be great to see you

Hugs,
Katie

jenhopesprays

Hi Pam,
I know you must be
Hi Pam,

I know you must be anxious about this. Why don't you get another CEA in a month instead of 2 months. It does no harm to draw blood and if your chemistry is "off" it may readjust. You don't even need to see the doc. You could just get a blood draw and have the nurse call with the results. Just an thought for peace of mind.

Keep us posted....

LOUSWIFT

CEA
I was told by my onc that below 3 in non-smokers is normal and below 5 in smokers. Many websites say from 0 to 2.5 is normal. As Bill Clinton would say it depends on how normal normal is and of course what is is? Sorry its a political season. Pregnancy also affects CEA. Anyway that's the extent normal as I understand it. How many of us have had lab tests be wrong; CT scans show false positives; MRI's being read wrong. Before my cancer surgery, the doctor said I had a test show I had a heart problem and could not stand colon surgery. Until cancer I never had a medical problem. They insisted that I take a battery of tests the day before my scheduled colon surgery. I spent the day running on treadmills, having three dimensional topography of my heart and blood vessels; many blood tests and dyes, more doctors. By the end of the day they discovered my EKG was wrong and my heart was just fine. So exhausted at 7am the next morning I had colon surgery. It was like getting beaten up in a fight and then getting hit by a car on the way to the hospital. So take heart ( again sorry if may be much to do about nothing ( to steal a quote). Good health!