It's always something.

Hatshepsut
Hatshepsut Member Posts: 336 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
As Gilda would say, "it's always something."

My husband (stage III and later IV) sees his oncologist every month. I admire/revere/totally trust his oncologist, but I have to confess that I dread the monthly visit.

Even more than the monthly visit, I dread the day after the monthly office visit.

My husband has routine blood tests at each visit and his blood test results come back to the doctor in 24 hours. If there is a problem, I know that we will have a telephone call the day after the visit. On those days, I'm especially effective at cleaning my house, doing the laundry and completing any other task that will keep me busy and near the telephone. Most of the time (thankfully) there is no call. Yesterday, however, "the call" came about 2:15 p.m. to tell me that my husband's CEA was slightly elevated. His usual CEA reading is in the range of 2.8 to 3.2 but Thursday's reading was 3.7 and the doctor wanted to schedule a retest in two weeks rather than waiting until our next regular visit. I'm grateful for our doctor's diligence and I know that I want my husband's medical team to be on top of any problems he may have, but I have to confess that "the call" (when it comes) shatters my world and reaches into the depths of my fears.

My husband's last CT scan showed no evidence of cancer, so I know that many of you are fighting a much more serious battle. I also know that CEA results are famously unreliable. I guess I just need someone to reassure me and hold my hand. I would appreciate hearing about any CEA experiences you might care to share.

Hatshepsut

Comments

  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #2
    Great doctor
    It sounds like your husband has an awesome doctor. I think the results are going to be fine, but it's always good to check. We'll be waiting for the good word!

    *hugs*

    Gail
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #3
    CEA
    Commonly
    Errors
    Actually happen with the test Hatshepsut. I have had mine be in the area of your husband's, then it will go up slightly and then back down for no apparent reason. It looks like your husband's rise is almost the same as his normal range difference. I know these number games can be nerve wracking. I do think it is very positive that his doctor is staying on top of things instead of blowing it off. This way you both can be assured that all is well.

    Yours....
    -phil
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #4
    Agreed
    Yes...your oncologist is keeping a close eye and that's what we want, so if anything were to begin, you, your husband, and your team will be on it right away.

    3.7 is still in the normal range but any increase makes us all nervous - more than understandable by any one of us.

    Take care
    -Craig
  • dixchi
    dixchi Member Posts: 431
    #5
    Sundanceh said:

    Agreed
    Yes...your oncologist is keeping a close eye and that's what we want, so if anything were to begin, you, your husband, and your team will be on it right away.

    3.7 is still in the normal range but any increase makes us all nervous - more than understandable by any one of us.

    Take care
    -Craig

    Hawks
    I have always been inspired by hawks; they are constantly on
    the watch and circling to view any morsel of food and thank
    god some of our doctors are like that too.....mine are that
    way right now....at least for another year.....then scans
    go to six months and I am going to feel like I have been
    thrown out into the world on my own.....it is good that
    your docs are on top of things, the truth is in the scan
    not the CEA so hold fast and think positive....CEAs can
    pick up inflammations and other non-cancerous things....


    Barbara
  • Patteee
    Patteee Member Posts: 945
    #6
    My first CEA was at Mayo in
    My first CEA was at Mayo in Dec 08- part of a followup exam by my colorectal surgeon there- she was preparing for the take down of my colostomy in Feb. Well Mayo does their testing before you see the doc and the doc has the results right that day. I didn't even know she did one until she told me that day that it was a 3.2, still within normal range, but wanted me to make sure I told my oncologist in Minneapolis. I was puzzled- when I told my oncologist a week later his comments were along the lines of, "WHY did she do a CEA?? I never do a CEA when patient is still going through chemo (which I was) because the results are unreliable!! And besides a 3.2 is perfectly normal so why did she even bring it up??"

    The first of many times where my oncologist was on one side of the fence and various other doctors on the other. Not only are you going to find variations among patients on how useful this test is for them, but also among doctors.
  • kristasplace
    kristasplace Member Posts: 957 Member
    #7
    Worries
    Who can blame you worrying?? I can imagine you're sick to your stomach every time the doctor calls. I really understand how it feels to be constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. They still don't know what the lesion on my lung is, and neither my oncologist or the radiologist can agree whether it's growing, or not. On the other hand, if it is growing, it's doing so very slowly. There are always upsides, i guess! My CEA is barely detectible, but like you said, they're ridiculously inaccurate for many people. When i was first diagnosed, my CEA was 5, and my doc said that was high! I've seen people on here with their CEA in the thousands!!!

    Congratulations on your husbands NED!!! That's just wonderful!

    Hugs,
    Krista
  • donnare
    donnare Member Posts: 266
    #8
    Hi
    So sorry you had to go through that - hope everything turned out okay. Am relatively new to this, so I don't have many CEA experiences, but if it is any reassurance at all, I was also told CEA results are unreliable, and I'll gladly hold your hand. I'm keeping you both in my prayers.

    Hugs,
    Donna

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