darn rising CEA
My CEA, which has always been very reliable for me, has been playing the up and down game lately. I know some up and down is normal, but when it's already so elevated, it definitely makes me worried when it goes up.
Mine gets checked every 3 weeks, with the start of each 3 wk cycle. Three times ago (after stopping chemo for 2 wks due to illness), it was at 192. Three wks later after back on chemo, it was down to 156. Another round of chemo, then checked this last Tuesday prior to starting another cycle, I just found out yesterday that it's back up again to 176. Now, I've gone without the Xeloda this past week (1st week of the new 3 wk cycle) & can only imagine what it's doing at the moment.
I have an appt w/ the onc Tuesday, so we will obviously discuss all this. The scary thing is that I really don't see many other viable options. I've already done/had Folfox (w/ oxi allergic reactions- onc doesn't want to go there again), was on Folfiri 2, maybe even 3 different times- worked well at first, but then I had new little tumors popping up on it at the end. I've now been on Gemzar/Avastin/Xeloda since March. I imagine onc will order a new scan & we'll go from there.
I'm trying to stay positive and not get freaked out!
Lisa
Comments
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Now don’t get an old man all screwed up here
Lisa Darlin
Now don’t get an old man all screwed up here.
Get that positive attitude back in all three areas. Hell I know you have the spirit one in the bag. Now get your butt thinking hard on the other two. You and I know this is just one of those damn bumps in the road. We have both been there done that. This will work out. I just know it will.
Love ya
Kerry0 -
Lisa
I know this kind of thing is worrisome + I want to let you know I am thinking about you. I am seeing my onc on Tuesday also, so let's send good thoughts to each other. I am hoping your CEA has stopped being reliable + everything is fine. How are you feeling?0 -
Sorry
You have been going through so much and you have researched every option and informed us of things that we never knew of. Maybe the rise is due to fluctions for something else and hopefully your scan will show nothing significant. I'm praying for you and hoping that your oncologist appointment gives you some answers.
Kim0 -
Lisa, sorry you are having a
Lisa, sorry you are having a tough go of it right now. Try to not think to much! It always seems that when I start trying to out think the meds, the doc and the cancer, I get depressed only to find that the doc sees it differently. I'm am going to hold out hope for that for you too! You are such a source of encouragement for me, I hope we can encourage you some. You are a fighter and there is lots of options still out there. Just because we don't know them all we get crazy. Hang in there lady!!! You are in my thoughts and prayers.
I am back to SF Wed. to hear what "new" idea they have for me. See, there seems to always be something!!! Love, Jean0 -
Gail, Kerry, Anne, Kim, and Jean...chicoturner said:Lisa, sorry you are having a
Lisa, sorry you are having a tough go of it right now. Try to not think to much! It always seems that when I start trying to out think the meds, the doc and the cancer, I get depressed only to find that the doc sees it differently. I'm am going to hold out hope for that for you too! You are such a source of encouragement for me, I hope we can encourage you some. You are a fighter and there is lots of options still out there. Just because we don't know them all we get crazy. Hang in there lady!!! You are in my thoughts and prayers.
I am back to SF Wed. to hear what "new" idea they have for me. See, there seems to always be something!!! Love, Jean
Thank you for the encouragement! I know I won't let myself stay down- I can't and won't!!
Jean- I'll be interested in hearing what the "new" idea is that they have for you in SF on Wed. I know you've had a rough go of it & yes, we will keep encouraging each other.
Kerry, you're always so funny- I won't let you down! Gail, Anne, and Kim- you're always so positive and helpful & I thank you for the encouragement and prayers.
Hugs,
Lisa0 -
Sorry for this
Lisa, My thoughts are with you. I pray that your CEA will be going down again. I feel the same when we got the news that my husband's CEA went up when we really hoped that it would go down. It's so frustrated. My husband is trying to get into a clinical trial at UCSF. I hope he will be qualified for it. Stay positive. - Lucy0 -
sorry
I am sorry to hear this. I like Anne's comment: I hope your CEA has become less reliable! and that this is a false alarm. Are you due for a scan anytime soon? Maybe there are some other 'cocktail' options out there.....
I'm trying to stay positive for you! Hang in there!
Love,
Tara0 -
Hi Lisa, I know I'm still
Hi Lisa, I know I'm still pretty new on here and learning, but it seems it was here I read that the CEA can go up as we are busting up those cancer cells with the chemo? I would be worried also and know you don't like to see the numbers. I was just thinking maybe.....hoping...that the elevation could be linked to the destruction of the cells?
Thinking of you buddy, Gail0 -
Hey Lisa
I am sorry to hear this news, I am sure its probably knowing but I hate to hear you getting so upset. You are such a fighter, such a inspiration to us all, you are always in my prayers girl. I pray that your ONC will have a plan of action on Tuesday, please keep us posted. If you need anything please just let me know.
HUGS
Beth0 -
Shoot -
Gosh Lisa not the news I wanted to long on and read. Hopefully the doc will have some viable options to get things stable again. You must be so discouraged about now and I am sorry for that. Oxi gave you problems in the past but since your cancer has become somewhat resistant maybe revisting oxi and see how it goes might be an option.
I'm sorry for your disappointing news but please try and stay positive. Are there any clinical trials you might be eligible for?
Take care my friend - Tina0 -
CEA
Hi Lisa,
It's tough I know. My CEA which had been at a 2 for a while, has been rising. The last one was a 23. I had a test on Wed., and am waiting for the results. I know how you feel. I try to focus on the fact that I feel well. If all I do is think about the CEA numbers, I wouldn't be able to make it through the day.
Try to take it one day at a time. Or if that's too hard, one hour at a time. It's only one number out of many. There are good stories out there. I try to focus on those. I just read Winter Marie's post, and it took me out of a funk I was in for the past couple of weeks.
Try to hang in there. We're all doing the same thing.
Anna0 -
Thinking about you
Hi Lisa,
I can feel the anxiety in your post about what to do next. I am praying that your oncologist offers some other options. Advances are being made all the time with regards to surgery and medications. Try to stay positive and keep moving forward...I know it is hard sometimes. What about the trials? How about visiting another major cancer center for their opinion? I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. I know you are due for some good news!!! Keep the faith.
Big hugs,my friend,
Sara0 -
Thanks, everyonesasjourney said:Thinking about you
Hi Lisa,
I can feel the anxiety in your post about what to do next. I am praying that your oncologist offers some other options. Advances are being made all the time with regards to surgery and medications. Try to stay positive and keep moving forward...I know it is hard sometimes. What about the trials? How about visiting another major cancer center for their opinion? I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. I know you are due for some good news!!! Keep the faith.
Big hugs,my friend,
Sara
I just sent an email to another oncologist I've consulted w/ at UCSD. My regular oncologist has actually often contacted him for opinions. The one at UCSD a while back mentioned a trial with a type of irinotecan (the main agent in Folfiri) that they did something to so it was slightly different, but I can't remember the name of it unfortunately. I want to see if that's an option. The Folfox worked so well for me when I was first diagnosed in '07, but I'm afraid to have them try the oxy again due to the allergic reaction & I'm scared of dealing with oxi side effects again. Hmmm... I won't get ahead of myself, but trying to think what's out there. It's probably time to look into farther away clinical trials. Dr. Lenz at USC doesn't have anything for me right now & told me basically I won't find much of anything that I'll qualify for in California. I just dread the thought of traveling out of state & am doing what I can to avoid that, but maybe that's what I need to do. I've gone to Tennessee before for the treatment that didn't work & my kids fell apart with me being gone just 5 days.
Well, I'll be okay & I'll update again after my appt Tuesday. I imagine he'll be ordering a scan for sometime w/in the next week or two.
Hugs everyone-
Lisa 0 -
Lisa:lisa42 said:Thanks, everyone
I just sent an email to another oncologist I've consulted w/ at UCSD. My regular oncologist has actually often contacted him for opinions. The one at UCSD a while back mentioned a trial with a type of irinotecan (the main agent in Folfiri) that they did something to so it was slightly different, but I can't remember the name of it unfortunately. I want to see if that's an option. The Folfox worked so well for me when I was first diagnosed in '07, but I'm afraid to have them try the oxy again due to the allergic reaction & I'm scared of dealing with oxi side effects again. Hmmm... I won't get ahead of myself, but trying to think what's out there. It's probably time to look into farther away clinical trials. Dr. Lenz at USC doesn't have anything for me right now & told me basically I won't find much of anything that I'll qualify for in California. I just dread the thought of traveling out of state & am doing what I can to avoid that, but maybe that's what I need to do. I've gone to Tennessee before for the treatment that didn't work & my kids fell apart with me being gone just 5 days.
Well, I'll be okay & I'll update again after my appt Tuesday. I imagine he'll be ordering a scan for sometime w/in the next week or two.
Hugs everyone-
Lisa
If you find anything in Michigan just let me know I have an extra bedroom and transportation and will get you anywhere you need to be.
Hugs - Tina0 -
Tinageotina said:Lisa:
If you find anything in Michigan just let me know I have an extra bedroom and transportation and will get you anywhere you need to be.
Hugs - Tina
Tina,
You're so sweet to offer! Where is Michigan do you live? My husband has two cousins there, both of whom I know quite well- one in Grand Rapids & the other in Watervliet on Pawpaw Lake.
I was on the clinicaltrials website last night- printed off a few, but none in Michigan.
Some were in Calif, one at Vanderbilt in Nashville, & a few at Mayo in Arizona.
We'll see...0 -
So Sorry Lisa, Keep up the Spirit!abmb said:I will keep you in my
I will keep you in my thoughts and Prayers. You are all so strong for each other, try to stay positive. God Bless. Margaret
I have a sister in law in Phoenix, you let me know if you need to go there and I will get you set up Lisa. Heck, I will drive you to Phoenix whenever you need to! Let your friends help you!
I wish you girls were as strong as you, you need their support, but more then that you need to know that they are and will be okay if you need to go out of town. That has to be stressful.
Stay Strong!0 -
Lisa
Lisa,
Like always you are in my prayers. I think about you so often and ask God to be with you and your family. Stay strong my friend. You are an amazing lady.
Aloha,
Kathleen0
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