Long Post But Happy News (Under Effects Of Anesthesia)

Earlier this month I wrote a post entitled “Thanksgiving Reflection”.  Now I would like to add to that.  This November certainly has been a fantastic month and one that I, personally, am quite thankful for.  Last November (2006) I eagerly anticipated my transanal excision only to have my hopes dashed by the surgeon (who I later found out was not a specialist) saying the tumor was still too big.  I celebrated my 50th birthday on 11/16/06 and started chemo the next day, filled with my trepidation and anxious moments.  A severe reaction to oxaliplatin required an immediate stop to that drug and I was left with only Xeloda as my only drug.  I remember being so dreadfully scared because all I had heard about was XELOX (or FOLFOX) and not having the oxi in my protocol sent a panic through me. This run of unfortunate happenings had me so convinced that I would not be around to celebrate my 51st birthday in 2007.

Well, as I said, this November has been a wonderful month for me- certainly a complete 180 degree turn from last year.  My pre-yearly physical blood results were all great and my CEA from that draw stayed constant at 1.3.  Then, my yearly exam showed that everything (including PAP and breast exam) was normal.  Last Wednesday I had my blood drawn at my onc’s office for my three month visit tomorrow.  All of those tests also came back well within normal limits and certainly higher than last time (CBC), but I was a tad bit disappointed when I was told today that my CEA went from 1.4 in August (their lab) to 1.6.  As many of you have repeatedly said, this slight increase is of no concern to the doctor and the nurse told me that this number can and does fluctuate from time to time.  She also said that since the level at my primary physician’s office stayed constant that I plain and simply should not worry about it.

Well, this morning, I rose bright and early (5AM) to get to Swedish Hospital (Seattle-I live about an hour south) for a 6:30AM check in for my first post-surgery colonoscopy and endorectal ultrasound.  I was still recuperating from a touch of the flu over the weekend and the wonderful prep over the weekend (BTW-the OsmoPrep pills are FANTASTIC-tell your doc you want them next time you have to have the colonoscopy-no more nasty tasting stuff!!!) and frankly not feeling well and then got stuck in Seattle rush hour traffic at 6:15am!  We didn’t get to the hospital until 7AM but still in plenty of time.  After all the paperwork, check in, etc. I was taken to the GI lab a good 15 minutes late but waiting to get these test going.  An hour later, we still hadn’t started.  No matter how hard they tried, they just couldn’t get an IV in me.  I have poke marks in both wrists (that hurts!) and at last bruise count a total of 12 places they tried to start an IV!  Finally, they gave me laughing gas (I didn’t like that at all) and started the IV (apparently with a lot of difficulty) in the top of my right hand and then gave me propofol.  What a nightmare!  Anyway, the endorectal ultrasound showed no nodal involvement and no mass, growths, whatever in that area.  I did have one very tiny polyp in the rectum which the surgeon (she did my tests) said was benign but obviously we will wait for the path report to confirm.  She said that radiation can cause polyps so that may be why I had another one so close to the original tumor site.  No other polyps in the rest of my colon.  Certainly I would have preferred a perfectly clear scope, but I will take this one – particularly since we snared it and it is now gone.  I guess it’s a toss up; the radiation & chemo shrunk my tumor to NOTHING(no tumor cells remained when they did the excision) and now I may get more polyps in that area because of the radiation.  That being said, I will take the more diligent testing to watch for those polyps any day than not to have had the radiation.

I must apologize as I am still feeling the effects of the anesthetic.  Looking at how long this post is, I would say that I rambled.  Oh well, I am happy.  I apologize if I offended anyone and I do feel guilty that so many of you are undergoing such difficult times and I apparently have had a much easier time.  Please forgive me for wanting to post my good news.  I don’t mean to offend anyone.

Hello- Certainly don't feel guilty for posting good news- it's an inspiration to me and, I'm sure, to many others!  Hearing good news is what keeps my own hopes up- I'm so glad for you! 

I have a question for you- what is the CEA reading?  What does it stand for?  I haven't heard that before. 

I have metastasized rectal cancer & have had a very good response, myself,- down from 12 liver tumors to just ONE after 3 chemo rounds.  After 6 chemo rounds, another scan showed the remaining liver tumor still there & my originally found rectal tumor still there.  So, the chemo will go on for a couple more rounds & then it will be re-evaluated for doing more chemo or having surgery (I'm not sure yet if they'll want to do the surgery on the liver tumor or the rectal tumor first).  My prayer is that they'll both just go away with my remaining chemo rounds!  I know I'll still face surgery on the rectal tumor site for residual tissue, even if the tumor goes all away.  But if the liver tumor goes away, they won't need to do anything more there.

Best ongoing wishes to you and have a Merry Christmas celebrating our Savior's birth!

Lisa

CEA is a tumor marker in the blood that shows cancer activity in your liver. As this is the site where my lung cancer seems to go back to each time, we keep a close eye on mine. Think of is as similar to the PSA for prostate cancer.

Basically, you don't want CEA levels to rise - if they do, the tumor in your liver is growing.

Carol 

On 12/6/2007 lisaann wrote:

Hello- Certainly don't feel guilty for posting good news- it's an inspiration to me and, I'm sure, to many others!  Hearing good news is what keeps my own hopes up- I'm so glad for you! 

I have a question for you- what is the CEA reading?  What does it stand for?  I haven't heard that before. 

I have metastasized rectal cancer & have had a very good response, myself,- down from 12 liver tumors to just ONE after 3 chemo rounds.  After 6 chemo rounds, another scan showed the remaining liver tumor still there & my originally found rectal tumor still there.  So, the chemo will go on for a couple more rounds & then it will be re-evaluated for doing more chemo or having surgery (I'm not sure yet if they'll want to do the surgery on the liver tumor or the rectal tumor first).  My prayer is that they'll both just go away with my remaining chemo rounds!  I know I'll still face surgery on the rectal tumor site for residual tissue, even if the tumor goes all away.  But if the liver tumor goes away, they won't need to do anything more there.

Best ongoing wishes to you and have a Merry Christmas celebrating our Savior's birth!

Lisa

Lisa,

 Your CEA reading is a substance in your blood (can't remember how to spell it) that sometimes tumors give off.   It is not routinely used to track your tumors, because, some tumors just simply don't give it off and you can then get false negatives.  When I was diagnosed, my CEA level  was only 0.5. A normal non smoker would have a level from 0-3 and, don't quote me on this, but a smoker's level could go as high as 10 and still be normal.  So you see, at 0.50, my level was normal and had a doctor used that test alone, it would have appeared that I did not have a tumor.  Colorectal tumors tend to give this off more than other cancers.  However, if your CEA level is rising (it fluctuates like mine does which is also normal) it could indicate that there is tumor growth somewhere is your body.  So the docs use it as just another tool, with all the other blood work, CT scans, colonoscopies, etc. to help identify mets or recurrences.

Have they done any radiation on you yet?  If not, you should ask if they will be doing it.  Usually, unless you have a very small rectal tumor they do the radiation.  It isn't a piece of cake, but rectal tumors respond very well to radiation and it also helps lower the rate of local recurrence.

I am glad that the chemo appears to be working for you.  What do they have you on?  I couldn't take oxi so was only on Xeloda, but my rectal tumor responded very well and the only surgery that I needed was a transanal excision.  I will have to be watched very carefully, but it is a small price to pay for the less invasive surgery.

Lisa,  just keep going with the chemo.  Please keep praying and having faith that the Lord will open doors for you to be rid of this cancer.  Never give up HOPE-never!  One day soon, you too will be NED (no evidence of disease) and can help others as they go through this battle.  This season of Advent that we are in is the period of expectant waiting for Christ to be born.  It can also be your Advent season, Lisa.  Be waiting and prepare for the good news that your cancer is gone!  

Please keep us informed how things are going for you.  Have a wonderful spirit filled Christmas surrounded by family and friends.

 Jaynee