time of recurrence

elsie56
elsie56 Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I have been reading messages on this sight for three years now, ever since my husbands diagnosis in 1/03. I posted only recently but reading messages and support that you all give to each other has been extraordinarily helpful to me.

In my earlier post I explained that my husband was diagnosed stage 4 with one nodule in liver, three lymph nodes positive, tumor in the ascending colon. He has been followed with CEA tests every three months for the two years following surgery and every six months for the past year. His only CT since the surgery was in Dec 03 and it was clear. The next appt is 4/25/06 so you all know that the rollercoaster ride is beginning again for us. We have been very lucky to have had two years of good health for him. Except for a very bad reaction to chemo followed by a four week hospitalization, he has done great. He never went back to the chemo.

Is there anyone out there who has had anything like his history? After three years what are the chances that he will have a recurrence?

although no sign of any disease he had a chest cold one month ago and coughed up some blood. Maybe a CT of lungs would make sense.

Comments

  • kerry
    kerry Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #2
    Hi Elsie,

    I was diagnosed at about the same time as your husband with Stage 3 also in the ascending colon.

    I was on chemo for 6 months and then followed up with CT scans every 6 months. I did have blood work every 2 months to follow my CEA.

    I would ask your husband's doctor about a chest scan also. I always have one when I have my CT scan as well as a chest x-ray.

    We never get over the rollercoaster ride when it is time for check-ups and scans. I wish you the best of luck.

    Kerry
  • shmurciakova
    shmurciakova Member Posts: 906 Member
    #3
    Hello,
    I am also a Stage IV survivor. I had a similar diagnosis it sounds like, but no two cases are ever the same....I was later found to have 2 nodules in my lung that were removed about 1 1/2 years ago. At any rate, he sounds like he is doing well. I would just go ahead and ask the doc to schedule a chest/abdomen/pelvis CT which you could have done a couple of days before your appointment....I have CT scans done every 4 months, however my doc says that after November (the two year mark) I can cut down to every 6 months.....
    After three years it is highly unlikely for him to have a recurrence. I would say he is well on his way, but for your own peace of mind a CT scan can confirm what his good CEA tests show.
    I recently asked my doctor when a "prudent" time to think about getting pregnant would be. I will be 36 this year and my biological clock is ticking!! He told me that after the 2 year mark the likelihood of a recurrence drops off dramatically and that most of the "danger has passed" by that point.
    I hope that helps and encourages you.
    Take care,
    Susan.
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #4
    I have also heard that the chance of recurrence drops dramatically after 2 years.
    Tara
  • terril
    terril Member Posts: 296
    #5
    Hi!!!
    I was NED for 22 months before they discovered a recurrence. It is hard to say. Some people get recurrences very quickly (a few months) while others are longer. Some never get recurrences. This disease is so bizarre. I describe it as a crap shoot. You just don't know. But after 3 years, this sounds pretty positive. As far as tests, I am really suprised they haven't run more CTs because he had a liver met. When I was NED, I had blood tests every 3 months and CTs every 6 months. The CT I had this past December revealed the recurrence in my pelvis. Talk to you onc and ask him/her and voice your concerns. When it is test time, we all go through the rollercoaster. Just thinking what you are experencing makes me feel that ride. My prayers and thoughts to you and your husband for good news and strength to endure the rollercoaster
    feelings. We are here for you. Terri
  • nanuk
    nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    #6
    After surgery and adjuvant chemo/radiation,I was NED for three years, and had a slight rise in CEA, which turned out to be mets to lungs. subsequent chemo almost eliminated nodules-(folfox)further targeted rads did a job on the remaining two nodes..then they returned in original numbers-(21 Plus). It seems to be a choice of side effects-(toxicity) VS quality of life; I often wonder if early cessation of chemo/rads might have made the difference between recurrance and NED..I guess it's a matter of which is killing you faster, the cancer or the chemo..each of us reacts differently, but bottom line is that we-(patient) make the most informed decision possible, and then live with the consequences..unfortunately, our healthcare professionals are rolling the same dice. Nanuk
  • ccartwri
    ccartwri Member Posts: 82
    #7
    terril said:

    Hi!!!
    I was NED for 22 months before they discovered a recurrence. It is hard to say. Some people get recurrences very quickly (a few months) while others are longer. Some never get recurrences. This disease is so bizarre. I describe it as a crap shoot. You just don't know. But after 3 years, this sounds pretty positive. As far as tests, I am really suprised they haven't run more CTs because he had a liver met. When I was NED, I had blood tests every 3 months and CTs every 6 months. The CT I had this past December revealed the recurrence in my pelvis. Talk to you onc and ask him/her and voice your concerns. When it is test time, we all go through the rollercoaster. Just thinking what you are experencing makes me feel that ride. My prayers and thoughts to you and your husband for good news and strength to endure the rollercoaster
    feelings. We are here for you. Terri

    Terri
    You saaid your recurrence was in your pelvis? In the bone?
    claudia

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