the beast is back

Oh Lynn,
Are you sure? Was your CEA really low 3 months ago? Sometimes it is not an accurate gage. I am praying that it is just some fluke thing and that you are all clear.
God bless,
Heather

Oh sweetie I am so sorry for your anguish right now. Ugh. Just wait for the tests and pray like hell. Know you have a lot of friends here to help you. CEAs are supposedly not always accurate...hang in there and let us know. All the best - Maura

Lynn: You've done it once, you can do it again. But we are going to pray that it is not cancer. I have read that CEA results can go up for a variety of reasons, not just cancer. We are here for you. Monica

Hi Lynn,
I'm so sorry your CEA is so high and hope it was a bad test. Yes, I've been through it twice. Last year on my 6 month checkup I faced the same thing. After a second CEA came back higher, I was immediately scheduled for a PET scan. It showed a small area in the left lower abdomen. A CAT scan couldn't distinguish exactly what it was so my DR's decided surgery was best. Cancer was found in 2 spots; the left ovary and a cul-de-sac between the rectum and vagina. After surgery the CEA returned to normal, but I did have to go through 6 more months of chemo. I finished Folfiri with Avastin on 11/08/06. CEA done on 12/27 and thankfully it is still dropping. It was frightening to have to go through again, but I made it. I hope this helps to ease your fears and know it may not be as bad as you are thinking.
God bless you and I truely hope your test give you good results. Kandy

Hi Lynn -

I sure hope there is some other explanation. If not, keep coming here for support. You did it once and you can do it again. I know how terrified you are, but try and wait for the testing so you know more about exactly what you may have to fight. (I know how hard that is to do - I have HUGE scan anxiety every 3 months.)

I'll be thinking of you and hoping this is nothing other than a really bad scare. Come back and let us know.

Betsy

Like others, I sincerely hope the elevated CEA is due to some other cause. It's not the most reliable test. But, yes: I have gone through it twice, and am now going through it a 3rd time! Yes, it is tough. But, I tell myself I just have to get back up on that horse. Summon the willpower and attitude and everything else that works for me....and "just do it". I also take comfort in the fact that medical knowledge and advances (both traditional/Western and alternative/complementary) continue to move forward at an astonishing rate. There are new treatments coming on board all the time. So long as they keep one step ahead of me! Please let us know the results of your further testing and meanwhile sending prayers and best wishes your way.

Hi Lynn, I have to say, I have gone through this twice. I was in remission for 13 mos. when the beast showed its ugly self again. I thought after the first time, how hard it would be to hear those words again. I even asked some of the others from the csn chat rm How do you do it a second time? and they said Averi, u just do it, even suggesting hearing the words again aren't nearly as devastating as the first time. I didn't understand at first but after I heard the words again, for me, it really wasn't as hard. I just thought, ok, hear we go again. I'm sure for others it was as diff to hear but for me it wasn't. Others even said, they deal with it as a "chronic" disease having had 3 and 4 recurrences. Thank God I can tell you since my second liver resection last Jan. I am again 1 yr cancer free!!(just had CT done couple weeks ago). I hope the beast has not returned, but if it has, continue to be positive and claim victory over it and it will be done by the grace of God. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Sincerely, Averi

Hi Lynn, My Prayers are with you. I hope everything works out for the better. I have had Cancer 3 times GOD IS GOOD. Just stay positive no matter what. Stay in your fighting mode and fight, never give up There is Hope. The first time I heard those words almost literally lost my mine. After the second time took it in stride and the Third just said what has to be done and lets do it. Stay Strong we are here for you 24/7. Livin

You cry, you yell, and then you take a deep, deep breath and you fight again. My fifth second opinion said it well...."I know you are tired, but why would you make all of your previous fight void by not fighting as hard as you can this time?"

Granted, this was breast cancer, totally unrelated....but, if you look at it another way, I have two separate cancers that I now must watch for reoccurance...

BIG, WARM, FUZZY hugs your way!

Hugs, Kathi

Mine came back after 6 months. My CEA was up to 66. It came back in my stomach. I'm doing all the same chemo accept for oxiplantin. I'm doing cpt 11 which stinks. I'm doing well now CEA is down to 5.7 and the tumors are 12mm down to 7mm and 15mm down to 12 mm. Hang in there. I've got 4 more chemos to go.