Onc. visit

abmb
abmb Member Posts: 311
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
My husband had his first Onc. appointment since ending Chemo in Nove. Bloodwork for CEA taken and others. found out today that the dr. did order lab work to be done in Feb. but nurses did not draw it. I asked him about a CT Scan, since he hasn't had one since Dec., but he said he does them once per year for 3 years and CEA bloodwork every 3 months. He asked if my husband was ready to have his port taken out and he said no, he would rather wait till he has the CT scan, which his onc. has scheduled for Oct. Onc. said he was okay with that, just he thought it might be an inconvience to come in to have the port flush every 4 weeks. Husband said he doesn't mind. We should get his CEA and other bloodwork results by Friday his nurse told me. I will be able to relax maybe after I know what his CEA levels are at. Hopefully low!
I know everyone on this board has it worse than my husband, but I just wanted to post and see if anyone else has an onc. that only schedules CT scans once per year. I am sure if his CEA level is high, he might order a scan sooner. He is a good dr., comes highly recommended, like I said in an earlier post, I just worry way too much. I do pray for everyone on this board and I Pray one day will come when Cancer no longer exists.
God Bless all. Margaret

Comments

  • Jaylo969
    Jaylo969 Member Posts: 824 Member
    #2
    Hi Margaret
    Don't worry about worrying :) I do it too, sometimes. Your husband is fortunate to have you because I'll bet you keep everyone on their toes regarding his treatment...

    And don't worry thinking "everyone on this board has it worse than your husband". He is a cancer patient and you are a caregiver ( bless you!) and that is what this forum is for if I understand it right.But I DO know what you are talking about. So far I haven't had many of the problems and troubles that some of our friends here have and sometimes I am so ashamed to even comment on any problem, small as it might seem to me, because as my sister always reminds me "It could be worse".But we are all in this together and I depend on my friends here to share their knowledge and wisdom and experiences. It has helped me to 'get a grip' on things.

    I am 6 months from surgery, in 8th chemo treatment and my onc says we'll do a scan after I finish the chemo which will be approx.the first week in July...if all goes well. I am really apprehensive about the scan ( and everything else these days )

    Margaret, I too pray that cancer will no longer exist one day but in the meantime we have to just keep on keeping on.

    Take care & best wishes for you & your husband.

    -Pat
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #3
    Hi, How Did I Miss Your Post?
    Hi Margaret

    Sounds like this is your oncologist's protocl for scans. Bloodwork will be a good indicator and if something is much higher, I'm sure the onc will be the first in line, to order up a CT.

    "I know everyone on this board has it worse than my husband."

    I understand what you are trying to say - I feel that way alot and sometimes I hesitate to post, because I see so many out there, who are in need, and I feel that my situation does not compare to theirs - you are a very sympathetic person and that is why you feel that way.

    But Pat is right, it's important to post - there are people who want to know what's going on medically, physically, and emotionally. Sometimes to not post is the wrong thing. I have to keep reminding myself of this constantly - I just don't want to take away from someone else.

    But keep postin' - I like to talk to you.

    We'll keep our fingers crossed (X)...hoping for a good result as always.

    -Craig
  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
    #4
    Once yearly
    Margaret, one CT scan per year is the recommended timing for Stage III colon cancer. My next one is the end of March 2011. :-) My blood work has been changed to every 6 months. It's rock stable and within normal range.

    My port was removed 3 weeks after chemo ended. It would have been even sooner but the surgeon didn't have an appointment open til then.
  • abmb
    abmb Member Posts: 311
    #5
    Jaylo969 said:

    Hi Margaret
    Don't worry about worrying :) I do it too, sometimes. Your husband is fortunate to have you because I'll bet you keep everyone on their toes regarding his treatment...

    And don't worry thinking "everyone on this board has it worse than your husband". He is a cancer patient and you are a caregiver ( bless you!) and that is what this forum is for if I understand it right.But I DO know what you are talking about. So far I haven't had many of the problems and troubles that some of our friends here have and sometimes I am so ashamed to even comment on any problem, small as it might seem to me, because as my sister always reminds me "It could be worse".But we are all in this together and I depend on my friends here to share their knowledge and wisdom and experiences. It has helped me to 'get a grip' on things.

    I am 6 months from surgery, in 8th chemo treatment and my onc says we'll do a scan after I finish the chemo which will be approx.the first week in July...if all goes well. I am really apprehensive about the scan ( and everything else these days )

    Margaret, I too pray that cancer will no longer exist one day but in the meantime we have to just keep on keeping on.

    Take care & best wishes for you & your husband.

    -Pat

    Hi
    Hi, Pat. Thanks for posting. I had a day to think things over and I know that once a year is good. My husband thinks it is GREAT, he hates ct scans, claustrophobic! I just laugh at that one. I drug him and tell him he is good to go! Ha! I know when I get his CEA results on Friday I will be better.
    Everyone here is fantastic. Take care and God Bless.
    Margaret
  • abmb
    abmb Member Posts: 311
    #6
    Sundanceh said:

    Hi, How Did I Miss Your Post?
    Hi Margaret

    Sounds like this is your oncologist's protocl for scans. Bloodwork will be a good indicator and if something is much higher, I'm sure the onc will be the first in line, to order up a CT.

    "I know everyone on this board has it worse than my husband."

    I understand what you are trying to say - I feel that way alot and sometimes I hesitate to post, because I see so many out there, who are in need, and I feel that my situation does not compare to theirs - you are a very sympathetic person and that is why you feel that way.

    But Pat is right, it's important to post - there are people who want to know what's going on medically, physically, and emotionally. Sometimes to not post is the wrong thing. I have to keep reminding myself of this constantly - I just don't want to take away from someone else.

    But keep postin' - I like to talk to you.

    We'll keep our fingers crossed (X)...hoping for a good result as always.

    -Craig

    Hi!
    Hi, Craig, it is always good to hear from you, then I know you are doing okay, hopefully. I love this board, always very supportive. I always feel good after everyone's support. Friday will come soon enough and then all will be good again. His onc. did schedule his next CEA test for July, so I know he is on top of things.
    Take care of yourself and post your CT scan results as soon as you get them or did I miss those. God bless and take care. Margaret
  • abmb
    abmb Member Posts: 311
    #7
    dianetavegia said:

    Once yearly
    Margaret, one CT scan per year is the recommended timing for Stage III colon cancer. My next one is the end of March 2011. :-) My blood work has been changed to every 6 months. It's rock stable and within normal range.

    My port was removed 3 weeks after chemo ended. It would have been even sooner but the surgeon didn't have an appointment open til then.

    Hi
    Hi, Diane. Thank you for your post. I always read what you have to say, also. Wow, March 2011 seems so far away. You must be doing well, every six months now, good for you. Art could have had his port taken out in Jan. after his colonoscopy, but he wants to wait. I don't blame him, one less trip to the hospital. Thank you for your support and take care. God Bless.
    Margaret
  • Patteee
    Patteee Member Posts: 945
    #8
    I agree with Diane, my stage
    I agree with Diane, my stage 3B was and is being treated the same way. I finished chemo in Jan 09, first CEA was Feb 09 and every 3 months then for the first year. My CT scan was in June 09 (exactly one year since the dx'd CT scan was done) and my next CT scan will be June 10. Colonoscopy was Feb 09 and then Feb 10- all clear and my next colonoscopy is Feb 2013!! So for this second year, CEA every 6 months, June 10 CT scan and that is it.

    I so totally remember coming off of chemo and being shocked that follow up was so infrequent. I even called my Mayo surgeon who I trust totally for her opinion. She agreed with my oncologist- that these are the standards for follow up care for stage 3. It made me nervous for a very long time- I think this is common with all of us. It does get easier as time goes on and CEA levels remain the same. Just wait though, a little bump up in the CEA will start the questions again!

    I also was going to hang onto my port for a year. I lasted a month before I asked them to take it out. :)
  • abmb
    abmb Member Posts: 311
    #9
    Patteee said:

    I agree with Diane, my stage
    I agree with Diane, my stage 3B was and is being treated the same way. I finished chemo in Jan 09, first CEA was Feb 09 and every 3 months then for the first year. My CT scan was in June 09 (exactly one year since the dx'd CT scan was done) and my next CT scan will be June 10. Colonoscopy was Feb 09 and then Feb 10- all clear and my next colonoscopy is Feb 2013!! So for this second year, CEA every 6 months, June 10 CT scan and that is it.

    I so totally remember coming off of chemo and being shocked that follow up was so infrequent. I even called my Mayo surgeon who I trust totally for her opinion. She agreed with my oncologist- that these are the standards for follow up care for stage 3. It made me nervous for a very long time- I think this is common with all of us. It does get easier as time goes on and CEA levels remain the same. Just wait though, a little bump up in the CEA will start the questions again!

    I also was going to hang onto my port for a year. I lasted a month before I asked them to take it out. :)

    thanks
    Reading all the replys helps so much. He is insistent on keeping his port till October. I think he is just nervous to have it taken out and then maybe having it put back in. his got infected when he had it put in. He has had a lot of surgeries over the past 10 years and that was the only thing that gave him problems. I give him and all of you a lot of applause you are very strong individuals. Not sure I would even go in for procedures, too scared. Take care and God Bless. Again thank you. Margaret

    P.S. beautiful springer spaniel -- I have doxies.
  • LivinginNH
    LivinginNH Member Posts: 1,456 Member
    #10
    abmb said:

    thanks
    Reading all the replys helps so much. He is insistent on keeping his port till October. I think he is just nervous to have it taken out and then maybe having it put back in. his got infected when he had it put in. He has had a lot of surgeries over the past 10 years and that was the only thing that gave him problems. I give him and all of you a lot of applause you are very strong individuals. Not sure I would even go in for procedures, too scared. Take care and God Bless. Again thank you. Margaret

    P.S. beautiful springer spaniel -- I have doxies.

    Hi Margaret,
    Best wishes to

    Hi Margaret,
    Best wishes to you and your husband on tomorrow's CEA results; I'm sure that they'll be just fine. We have an appointment with Rick's onc. tomorrow as well, and I know that we'll have plenty of questions for her this time around. And yes, it really is wonderful to have all of these great people out here to help us with all of our concerns. God bless. - Cynthia
  • abmb
    abmb Member Posts: 311
    #11
    LivinginNH said:

    Hi Margaret,
    Best wishes to

    Hi Margaret,
    Best wishes to you and your husband on tomorrow's CEA results; I'm sure that they'll be just fine. We have an appointment with Rick's onc. tomorrow as well, and I know that we'll have plenty of questions for her this time around. And yes, it really is wonderful to have all of these great people out here to help us with all of our concerns. God bless. - Cynthia

    Good Luck
    Best wishes for you and your husband tomorrow, also. I carry a notebook with me whenever we visit the dr.s. lists all procedures which docs and all meds. my way of keeping sane. Again, best wishes. margaret

Discussion Boards