Health Diaries > Colon Cancer > Llama Farming with Colon Cancer
July 27, 2007
Bad Cat Scan
After a relatively quiet four months of no drugs, I anticiated this cat scan would most likely put me back on Avastin at least. I got a clue from the NP in her routine exam when she said my CEA tumor marker had jumped from 25 to over 100. The doctor was rather quick to point out that with continued growth we needed to start the Avastin again for 3 treatments over 6 weeks and by blood test know if we had stopped the growth. The big problem is my right liver lobe. We were at a measurement of 1.8 x 1.3 when se stopped the drugs. We went to 2.8 x 2.2 in May and this scan was 3.5 x 2.5. Not a real big deal but it does make me wonder why we went the four months. Can new chemotherapy be far ahead? Okay, this is pretty much what I expected. I got my usual copy of the radiology report and read it when I got home, and did I get a shock. The first thing I read was a nogule adjacent to the suture line on the colon that is suspicious of carcinoma with a size of 2.2 x 1.9. Gads!!! If that was not enough in reading further I came across a statement of coronary artery calcification and recomment clinical correlation for coronary artery disease. Double gads!!! Why didn't the doctor mention this? Needless to say, I made anappointment with my family doctor to discuss all this. I am both a little angry or upset, take your pick, and also really depressed at this point. I have my treatment start next Tuesday and will go from there to see my family doctor. I issue an update next week on prognosis or whatever. Cheery bit of news, right? Until next week, good health to all of you.
Posted by Robert on July 27, 2007 2:48 AM | DIGG | del.icio.us | furl
Robert,
I am glad to see that you get a copy of your own report and read it. I'm amazed at the number of people that don't. So now you definitely know that your CEA is an easy test to tell you that something is going on or not. Use it to help guide you through your options. Most likely, you are looking at systemic treatment again. I'm going by experience when I say they are not going to open you up to take out the nodule on the suture line. The coronary artery disease is interesting. Maybe in 25 years or so it might kill you. If you are like me, I'm looking forward to that being a problem in 25 years....I'm also Stage IV CC. Chemo has an effect on the ol' ticker too. I'd be curious if it hasn't accelerated it a bit.
I've read your journal for a while. I hate that you go through this, but know that you are a man that does what it takes. Keep on fightin' this thing!
Hi Robert,
I appreciate your blog and all that you share with us.
My Dad is 58 and in stage 3B colon cancer. He was only able to complete 8 out of 12 prescribed doses of post surgical chemotherapy. They stopped his chemo last week because he was just too sick. He's hoping that 8 will be enough at this point and that he can now get himself scheduled for a reversal of the colostomy.
I thank you for sharing. My Dad is not one to talk about this stuff and your blog helps me to understand him better.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and I'm sending you my good vibrations!
Live strong! Cancer be gone!