Health Diaries > Colon Cancer > Llama Farming with Colon Cancer

January 11, 2007

Cat Scan #8

With the usual concern over my cat scan results I am happy to report that the scan showed no growth and everything holding stable. I am also happy to say that I got the doctor to stick around and answer a few questions. I think the secret is to put questions on a piece of paper and pull that out with the comment of having a few questions. I asked him why he wanted to give me that 3 month break I didn't want and it was simply a kind of good will offer he makes to everyone who has gone through chemo and assumes you might need a break. I talked to him about Wendy in Canada (wendysbattle.com) and her referring to a CEA score. I evidently had that way back in the beginning and not since so he ordered that at my next treatment. It's a blood test and measures antigens if I remember what he said. I asked him his best educated guess would be as to how long the anti-bodies would be effective. The average is a year, which I am approaching, but also said only a few hundred have gone this long, I assume with the experimental drug. I guess that makes me a good study patient. We discussed my reaction, the breaking out. I told him I had made the comment that I hadn't been breaking out quite as bad and sure enough after you say that two treatments back I had a severe reaction. In addition to the normal forehead, it covered my nose, cheeks, chin, neck front and back, some in my scalp and on my back. That really surprised him, as it did me. So far, last weeks treatment is not making it worse and there is some improvement. Still, as agravating as it is, I can put up with it knowing it is doing what it's supposed to for my liver. I even talked a little with him as to what would happen if more chemo is needed and I didn't do it. Best I make no comment on that because you can guess the answer. I continue to run into people who have had chemo, or a friend or relative who went through it and I am so grateful that my experience was a "piece of cake" in comparison. i shudder at the horror stories I hear and many of them are using the same doctor and clinic as me. So, we rest easier for 3 more months as the battle continues and we wait for cat scan #9. Good health to all of you.

Posted by Robert on January 11, 2007 1:36 AM | DIGG | del.icio.us | furl