Remission?

JanetRB4

I'm back after a brief absence here so I'll probably repeat things: I was diagnosed with liver cancer a year ago (metastatic from the colon). After 12 chemo fusion sessions (24 weeks) my CEA dropped to 7 and a PET scan showed 6 of the 7 lesions originally in my liver were totally gone and the 7th was “inactive.” Because I couldn’t tolerate the maintenance pills then prescribed and all of my labs/vitals were good, my doctor took me off of everything and told me to just enjoy my freedom – and I am. But my question is this: has this happened to anyone else in this chat room? I feel lost because I’ve been told so often my cancer is incurable so now what? I questioned the nurse and she said that I can just make an appointment whenever I feel the need for one. Am not sure what to make of this – excited on the one hand but insecure on the other. Any comments? 

SnapDragon2

What surveillance plan are you on? Scans, bloodwork, ect.

If it were me I would want hawk eyes on me but still enjoy life. If not on a plan you could be blindsided down the road. You dont want that.

In addition to the onc, what were the CRC surgeon and liver surgeon thoughts?

Wadsdan777

Hi Janet, what chemo infusions were you on? Folfox/folfiri or another targetted agent?

I agree with snap, very close monitoring will be key, when i was on a year break from treatment my onc did scans every 2 months along with frequent bloodwork to try to catch anything before it was too far along, thankfully we did that as after having a clear liver for 2 years ive had a recurrence, but caught the spots when they are small and hopefully easily treatable.

As snap said you certainly dont want to wait too long, even 3 months for me off treatment would feel like too long.