wondering if I will ever wake from this nightmare?

beatingtheodds

April of 2013, i was diagnosed with Stage3b   colorectal cancer.  Went through the surgery,  port placement, radiation, attempted chemo,  but it was platelets too fast (i have ITP,  platelet count was watched closely). In July,  i was admitted to hospital,  for what they thought was internal bleeding,  my potassium levels was critically low, so i was on critical care for heat failure.  One week later,  i am released.  While in hospital,  my partner and i talked about going to Cancer Treatment Center of America,  do once i was home,  we worked on that.  Flew out to Chicago in August,  stayed four days. Anyone looking at going there,  be prepared for jam packed days of seeing doctor after doctor.  They don't schedule you any breaks at all,  i told them i need to go eat!  Came home with no new plans or medicine.No one called from ctca to see if i was on,  nothing.  I had to go back to work in October,  against my doctors wishes, but the bills were just piling up higher and higher and i couldn't get assistance from anyone to assist.  I tried getting on social security and was denied because my treatment wasn't going to keep me off work for over a year.  In February of 2014, i was told iwas cancer ffree,  i beat the odds.  I still have to do my check ups.  I went to Oncologist on June 6, exactly one year after my first radiation treatment and wastold my lab work looked good except my liver functioning was still high,  in fact it was higher than it was three months ago.  Doctor said i either have fatty liver disease or liver cancer and he is leaning towards cancer.  Ugh,  i just want to enjoy life!  I have testing in August to see if it is cancer.  I am scared and am just know getting partly back to myself and now this.....  Can someone pinch me and wake me up now??  

 

Trubrit

Its been a rough journey

You really sound like you've been through the ringer. I am so sorry that your experience with Cancer Centres was not as good as expected. 

I was also 3B then had bloods that showed liver function abnormal. That was followed with two big jumps in CEA. I was diagnosed with a liver tumour and bumed up to the dreaded Stage IV. 

If it happens to you, it will be hard. I know the wind was knocked out of my sails, but I can tell you, you will bounce back. I went ahead with a liver ablation and now wait to see if that worked. 

Basically, it is what it is, the key is how we handle it. You have come to the right place for support and information. There are tons of us here, who will help you face either the good or the bad. 

No doubt cancer stinks. But then so do allot of other diseases. 

Post often. Keep us updated, and we'll be here for for you. 

 

lp1964

Dear Friend,

You and I were diagnosed at the same time. I know I can't tell you a magic word to calm your mind, So I just offer my support and prayer of an other cancer patient. Hand in there and lets hope that your next tasts come back ok.

I wish you stregth to get through this,

Laz

Helen321

Hey, sorry things are so

Hey, sorry things are so screwy. Why is your doctor waiting until August?

UncleBuddy

Yikes!

Helen took the words right out of my mouth: why are they waiting until August? 

I'm sorry that CTCA wasn't a good experience for you. I think everyone has different experience with their doctors and cancer centers. You have to go with you gut and stay with the center that feels right for you. 

I hope you're able to schedule the testing sooner and it comes back fine.

Best wishes!

Lin

 

Trubrit

I'm with the two posts above

August does not cut it. If I were you, I'd push for earlier testing. 

I don't mean to scare you, but my liver tumour grew, and fast. You may not even have a liver tumour, but I thikn you should get it checked out sooner than later. 

Do you know what your last CEA results were? If they are in normal range then thats a good sign. 

Call your Doctor, and get yourself checked before August. 

Good luck.

beatingtheodds

Trubrit said:

I'm with the two posts above

August does not cut it. If I were you, I'd push for earlier testing. 

I don't mean to scare you, but my liver tumour grew, and fast. You may not even have a liver tumour, but I thikn you should get it checked out sooner than later. 

Do you know what your last CEA results were? If they are in normal range then thats a good sign. 

Call your Doctor, and get yourself checked before August. 

Good luck.

My cea was 1.8, which they

My cea was 1.8, which they say it's normal. Got a copy of my lab results.. A year ago, my ast was 29.... Last week it was 92... My alt was 31 last year and last week it was 121.

beatingtheodds

update

I live in Pryor,  Ok... Which is northeast of Tulsa, Ok.  I am currently trying to find an oncologist that is closer.  Right now,  i am three hours away from my oncologist.  I just moved out here two months ago,  thought i was doing good and wouldn't have to go to Dr except every three months for follow ups.  I can go in for testing anytime,  i just don't have the money for the trip.  I just got  a job out here and haven't even started yet and the pay is horrible.  

 

will update everyone when i get more news.  Thank you all for your support.  if anyone knows of any oncologist in the area,  please let me know.