Scans + Bloodwork = Biopsy Time

NewHere
NewHere Member Posts: 1,428 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

Yippee.  50/50 shot of having new cancer.  Urgh.  

Comments

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #2
    Glass half full or half empty?

    Until you know for certain, treat it as though it were half full. 

    I'm sorry you have to have a biopsy though. Scary all around. 

    Cyber vibes.

    SUE

  • NewHere
    NewHere Member Posts: 1,428 Member
    #3
    Thanks Tru

    It is weird.  Not scared as much as let's go the show on the road one way or the other.  Closer to biopsy time, though, I am guessing my tune will change :)

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #4
    Date

    Do you have a date set for the biopsy? 

  • NewHere
    NewHere Member Posts: 1,428 Member
    #5
    Yup

    About 6 weeks away, give or take.  They are looking to see if they can get me in sooner.  

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    edited August 2016 #6
    Dang!

    I am so sorry! I just don't understand why we're made to wait so long, when we're dealing with Cancer. Even if 'another few weeks doesn't matter' another few days is bad enough, as we imagine a Cancer growing, but six weeks?!!! Six weeks is Hell of a long time. 

    Here's hoping that your appointment gets bumped up. 

    SUE

  • tanstaafl
    tanstaafl Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #7
    not waiting

    We kept looking for new and better doctors. Early bird gets the worm.  Cancel the laggards.   Started pumping up cimetidine, celecoxib and supplements. 

    Also we immediately reduce the infomation gap with more bloodwork added to "standard"  e.g. CA19-9, AFP, quantitative D-dimer, LDH, CRP, ESR, PT/INR, 25-OH vitamin D.  Many of these panels are actually in a basic comprehensive chemistry test for $25-$100 that someone is too damn backwards to offer/use automatically for bloodwork. 

  • beaumontdave
    beaumontdave Member Posts: 1,289 Member
    #8
    I agree with Sue, get your

    I agree with Sue, get your doc to rattle some cages, and move that biopsy up. Uncertainty has always been the worst feeling for me,  I feel better when there's a plan, or an answer. Hope it's a good answer for you...........................Dave

  • Phil64
    Phil64 Member Posts: 838 Member
    edited August 2016 #9
    Are you taking vitamin D3? My

    Are you taking vitamin D3? My onc said the latest research is showing a correlation between D3 deficiency and cancer. Coming from him I didn't hesitate to start taking it. 

    Fighting cancer is for sure a marathon and not a sprint. So pace and endurance my friend.

  • NewHere
    NewHere Member Posts: 1,428 Member
    edited August 2016 #10
    On The Timing

    This potential cancer (prostate) is the one that has been monitored for awhile based on PSA and how the CRC was found.  The consensus is to monitor.  And if "low grade cancer" after the biopsy, to continue to monitor.  Seems to be the current consensus to avoid uneeded surgery, radiation and the rest due.  Of course if it is high grade cancer (which is about 25% chance or more as of now), then the scenario changes.  

    It is interesting.  They told me patients who have had cancer before usually can handle the active monitoring better than those who have not gone through some form of cancer treatment.  The former seem to be able to accept just watching.  

    I went through everything with the doctor and then the NP.  They both took as much time as I needed to answer questions and concerns, including any concerns about whether waiting 6 weeks (other than the WAITING part ;) ) is problematic.  Without hesitation, not an issue.  The doctor (at MSK) comes from a place of trying to avoid extra surgery and treatment and I think he was involved in the development of the test that is more precise than PSA.  If there are indications of an issue, the new blood test is used (still not covered by insurance in most places), then the MRI.  

    I am really hoping a very low grade or none when the biopsy comes.  I have a general idea of what the options are for higher grade.  Urgh.  But I am going with the saying that more men die with prostate cancer than of prostate cancer.  (They told me recent studies now estimate that up to 40% of men over 50 have it.)

    On the blood work and vitamins tanstaffl and Phil, do they apply to all cancers or CRC?  Will definately look into both.  On the bloodwork can ask for a prescription to go to a local lab.  On the D, is there  amount?  In addition to a suplement, going to a beach (with proper sunscreen and other protection of course) sounds like a plan :)

    And yup, the marathon thing is true.  Just when things were looking good on the one side (CRC), this is now an issue.

  • tanstaafl
    tanstaafl Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #11
    NewHere said:

    On The Timing

    This potential cancer (prostate) is the one that has been monitored for awhile based on PSA and how the CRC was found.  The consensus is to monitor.  And if "low grade cancer" after the biopsy, to continue to monitor.  Seems to be the current consensus to avoid uneeded surgery, radiation and the rest due.  Of course if it is high grade cancer (which is about 25% chance or more as of now), then the scenario changes.  

    It is interesting.  They told me patients who have had cancer before usually can handle the active monitoring better than those who have not gone through some form of cancer treatment.  The former seem to be able to accept just watching.  

    I went through everything with the doctor and then the NP.  They both took as much time as I needed to answer questions and concerns, including any concerns about whether waiting 6 weeks (other than the WAITING part ;) ) is problematic.  Without hesitation, not an issue.  The doctor (at MSK) comes from a place of trying to avoid extra surgery and treatment and I think he was involved in the development of the test that is more precise than PSA.  If there are indications of an issue, the new blood test is used (still not covered by insurance in most places), then the MRI.  

    I am really hoping a very low grade or none when the biopsy comes.  I have a general idea of what the options are for higher grade.  Urgh.  But I am going with the saying that more men die with prostate cancer than of prostate cancer.  (They told me recent studies now estimate that up to 40% of men over 50 have it.)

    On the blood work and vitamins tanstaffl and Phil, do they apply to all cancers or CRC?  Will definately look into both.  On the bloodwork can ask for a prescription to go to a local lab.  On the D, is there  amount?  In addition to a suplement, going to a beach (with proper sunscreen and other protection of course) sounds like a plan :)

    And yup, the marathon thing is true.  Just when things were looking good on the one side (CRC), this is now an issue.

    My comments were about CRC, sorry.  Although the bloodwork and nutrient lists will have overlaps, they are not the same.   There are more nutrient and CAM recommendations for BPH.  Prostate cancer isn't an area that I've read so much on. 

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