CancerCompass message board discussion started by ForMyMom on 2/28/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,21460,0.htm Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Hello everyone, I haven't been on the web site for a couple of months now b/c we've been traveling back & forth to a cancer treatment center (Cancer Treatment Centers of America - CTCA) trying to do whatever we can to help my mother.  I've been an emotional wreck for 2 months and trying to care for my 3 young children who adore their "MeMe" - my mom!Mom began chemo on Jan 7.  She is administered chemo through a port in her chest for 4 hours each day - for 5 days.  One of those 5 days, she also has a port placed into the artery in her leg, then it is maneuvered to the tumor where chemo is administered for about 2 hours.  Then the port is removed and her leg is sandbagged and she has to remain still, on her back for several hours.Mom received a call 2 weeks ago and was informed her tumor markers went from 3 to 1.5!  Meaning the chemo was zapping that tumor and obviously working/responding.  We've been told this is very good news.  She leaves this coming Sunday to begin treatment again on Monday for 5 days.  We were hoping for a ct scan and tests to reveal the progress - SEE the tumor but the doc may wait until April - UGH!  We wish we had a window into the body so we can see what is going on in there!  I am sure you can agree.  We are learning patience by all means.Chemo has been hard on mom but she is strong willed and gives it her all.  It knocks the wind out of her and the first week back is always the toughest.  But by the last week she is feeling good but then has to go back so anxiety is high then.  It is hard to watch her go through this when all I want to do is make it better.  I'm truly blessed to be so close to her and be able to guide her through all of this.I'm concerned b/c we don't know what the outcome will be.  No one can really tell us what to expect but we pray every day and keep our faith in front of us.  I've always been a strong person and boy am I being tested right now.  My heart feels like it was torn from my body and trampled.  I'm nervous a lot more now so I have to "breath in breath out" a lot - ha!I wish you all much success and I am sorry for the losses and new diagnosis I've been reading about here on the site.  My heart and prayers go out to all of you.  Keep up the good fight and stay strong!  I wish you much success on your journey. ForMyMom Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT I am confused, my husband's CA19-9(tumor marker) was 8 last blood test which is below normal(11). The picc line was taken out and he has no more chemo as long as the TM stays down. He took gemzar which only took 1/2 hr to administer and 5-FU which was not as long as that.What kind of chemo did she take and what blood test are they using to determine the status?My husbands was stage 4 when it was  diagnosed so there is always hope as long as there is life! It had spread tothe lymph glands in the chain by the renal artery to in the pelvic region-so it was stage 4.I am confused.Hiswayc  hiswayc Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT