CEA up

luvmum
luvmum Member Posts: 457 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Dear all,

I'm very sad... my mum's blood test result was out yesterday. Her CEA was up after two cycles of FOLFOX. Her CEA dropped from 8.9 to 6.1 after the liver resection. But after 2 rounds of FOLFOX, it went back up to 6.8.

We are planning for a trip to US end of June and her WBC and neutrophils are so low, and she suppose to have 2 more rounds of treatments ... I really want to take her to visit my sister and her son!

She used to be able to go for a walk even during chemo and after surgery, but in the last 2 weeks, she is feeling so tired. She doesn't want to eat, cannot sleep well and refuse to go out.

I'm really worry about her, my heart is aching and so broken.
Best wishes to you all,
Dora

Comments

  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #2
    so sorry about your mum cea
    dear dora,

    she sounds like she is taking things badly, mind you that pretty normal when you consider what she is going through.
    just love her and support her.

    if you want push the envelope just read anticancer, or at least go over the lecturers i posted. it cannot hurt and may help, but i doubt it would suit your mum, its a big change from our normal like style.

    i don't think its many older crc cup of tea from personal experience, but i would always offer it.

    hugs,
    pete
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #3
    CEA
    CEA is a funny thing, in that not all crc patients' bodies react with it in the same way. For some, CEA never changes no matter what's going on inside. For others it's a good indicator. Even with those people for whom CEA is a good indicator, there can be differences too. Some people will exhibit a temporary rise in CEA towards the beginning of treatment. Perhaps that is the category your mum is in. The situation can be that as the chemo starts to work and cancer cells start to die off (apoptosis- love that word- I picture cancer cells popping, anyhow...)when the cancer cells start to die off, they release CEA into the bloodstream & if tested during that time, the CEA will show that it has risen a bit. This could be temporary and then it starts to go down again. The next CEA draw or two will be the most telling for your mum.

    Hugs Dora-

    Lisa
  • trspitfire
    trspitfire Member Posts: 19
    #4
    CEA..
    I've been on chemo for a year now (stage 4 mets to liver) and have seen my CEA numbers drop from (a year ago) 250 into the 8's, when there is small fluctuations within the 8-10 range my onc advises not to be alarmed that the trend over time is good and that the number just represents what they determined that day of the blood work,and he is quite right, it goes up a bit then comes down a bit.. it is not an exact science , more indicative for some people than others, as far as the fatiuge, eating problems etc. goes, consider the effect that surgery has added, as well as the accumulative effect of the chemo.
    best of luck, and healing to your mum
  • luvmum
    luvmum Member Posts: 457 Member
    #5
    lisa42 said:

    CEA
    CEA is a funny thing, in that not all crc patients' bodies react with it in the same way. For some, CEA never changes no matter what's going on inside. For others it's a good indicator. Even with those people for whom CEA is a good indicator, there can be differences too. Some people will exhibit a temporary rise in CEA towards the beginning of treatment. Perhaps that is the category your mum is in. The situation can be that as the chemo starts to work and cancer cells start to die off (apoptosis- love that word- I picture cancer cells popping, anyhow...)when the cancer cells start to die off, they release CEA into the bloodstream & if tested during that time, the CEA will show that it has risen a bit. This could be temporary and then it starts to go down again. The next CEA draw or two will be the most telling for your mum.

    Hugs Dora-

    Lisa

    Dear Lisa
    My mum really hates chemo... she said she can tolerate surgery but not chemo!

    She supposed to have 2 more rounds of FOLFOX and the oncologist was going to give her another treatment this Friday and then stop till we come back from our trip on 8th July. But my mum refused to have one more treatment before we go. That means she has one on 25 May and then one on 8 or 9 July... wow that's more than 40 days without chemo.

    Thank you so much for listening to me!
    Love Dora
  • luvmum
    luvmum Member Posts: 457 Member
    #6
    trspitfire said:

    CEA..
    I've been on chemo for a year now (stage 4 mets to liver) and have seen my CEA numbers drop from (a year ago) 250 into the 8's, when there is small fluctuations within the 8-10 range my onc advises not to be alarmed that the trend over time is good and that the number just represents what they determined that day of the blood work,and he is quite right, it goes up a bit then comes down a bit.. it is not an exact science , more indicative for some people than others, as far as the fatiuge, eating problems etc. goes, consider the effect that surgery has added, as well as the accumulative effect of the chemo.
    best of luck, and healing to your mum

    Thank you so much
    Thank you very much for your detailed explanations about the fluctuation of CEA. I feel a bit better today and try not to over analyze this figure.

    I am just hoping her appetite will be back soon and that her energy level will go back up again. She hasn't been out for almost 2 weeks now.

    Thanks again!
    Dora
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #7
    Fluctuation is been small ! don't get in panic ,just wait for
    next blood work ! hope it drops again!.
    Praying for that!
  • BettyJoM
    BettyJoM Member Posts: 82
    #8
    luvmum said:

    Thank you so much
    Thank you very much for your detailed explanations about the fluctuation of CEA. I feel a bit better today and try not to over analyze this figure.

    I am just hoping her appetite will be back soon and that her energy level will go back up again. She hasn't been out for almost 2 weeks now.

    Thanks again!
    Dora

    I understand how she feels
    I understand how she feels Dora, she is scared. I am finished with chemo for 2 months, my CEA 6 weeks ago was 7.8, in sept it was 3. I had it repeated today and am so on edge waiting for the results.
    I feel so good, I cant still be sick. BUT the numbers scare you. How old is your Mom?
  • marqimark
    marqimark Member Posts: 242 Member
    #9
    CEA
    Good luck on your vacation. I hope hope your mom's energy comes back with all the time off from chemo and you have a good time.

    Mark
  • luvmum
    luvmum Member Posts: 457 Member
    #10
    BettyJoM said:

    I understand how she feels
    I understand how she feels Dora, she is scared. I am finished with chemo for 2 months, my CEA 6 weeks ago was 7.8, in sept it was 3. I had it repeated today and am so on edge waiting for the results.
    I feel so good, I cant still be sick. BUT the numbers scare you. How old is your Mom?

    Dear Betty
    My mum is 70 and will turn 71 in Aug.

    My mood swing with her health situation and of course CEA fluctuation... she has blood test almost every month. It has been decreasing all the time except last blood test on Tuesday.

    I have to admit I am so scared and worried.
    Thanks a lot for your support and understanding.
    Dora
  • luvmum
    luvmum Member Posts: 457 Member
    #11
    pepebcn said:

    Fluctuation is been small ! don't get in panic ,just wait for
    next blood work ! hope it drops again!.
    Praying for that!

    Dear pepe
    thanks a lot for your prayer, I really need it! I think only God can heal my mum =)
  • luvmum
    luvmum Member Posts: 457 Member
    #12
    marqimark said:

    CEA
    Good luck on your vacation. I hope hope your mom's energy comes back with all the time off from chemo and you have a good time.

    Mark

    Dear Mark
    Thanks a lot! I told my mum about your hair and your humor and that really make her laugh.

    Best wishes,
    Dora

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