Good and Not so Good News
 

About 6 weeks ago I got a CA15-3 result of 21, still in normal range but had risen from 5. Then two more tests in the past 6 weeks saw the rising trend go to 23 then 36, so in tumour territory again. I was hoping I would have had longer in remission. So got results today of CT scans and brain still clear, lungs still stable nearly 5 years on, but the pesky single liver tumour has grown to about 2cm.

I'm off to have PET next week, and it's kind of back to where I was in July/Aug - the result then was amazing in that the PET showed no activity anywhere. The plan back then was that if lungs were not lighting up, I would see a liver surgeon. (The tumour is not in the best position for ablating - too close to colon). So the reason I didn't have surgery then was that they didn't want to be operating if it was scar tissue in my liver. So in a strange way, if the liver this time shows take-up, then I'll be hopefully having surgery, or certainly consulting with the liver specialist. Which is what I've wanted all along - to get rid of this pesky liver tumour!

I'm kind of happy with this news today, and the realisation that it's 12 years since original diagnosis, and over 5 years since Stage IV and I'm very well. I know it's strange, but I'm sure you'll get it, when I say I feel blessed!

Cheers Marie

Re: Good and Not so Good News
 

Marie,
I agree...this all sounds like good news to me. Hope that liver tumour meets its match in your new liver specialist!
Thanks for posting! I needed to read some encouraging news today!
Sending love, and a big hug
Denise

Re: Good and Not so Good News
 

Prayers, Marie. Keep us posted.

- Penny

Re: Good and Not so Good News
 

I'm just struck by what we stage iv folks classify as good news. I'm including myself in that observation. It's why we need each other. The non-cancer world is not well prepared to understand.

Marie, I'm glad you're doing so well, both physically and emotionally. Keep up the good work.

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I get it Bunty - let's hope it is operable! Will be thinking of you when you have your PET. Imaging can be so confusing. I've had a very confusing week with different reports on the same scans - progression from one dr and stable from another! Still deciding who to believe? I am hoping the PET will make things clear for you.
Sending you a big hug.
A xx

Re: Good and Not so Good News
 

I think it is very good news overall so well done. I would explore optiond possible to get to the liver one so, RFA is just one of them. including chemo embolization, isphere, laser, surger
freezing tumours..

Re: Good and Not so Good News
 

And more blessings to you, Marie! Good luck with the scan and whatever further action is needed.
Best wishes.... Pam

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Dear Marie I hope the Pet will bring better news but if it doesn't and this one liver tumor is growing just blast it with RFA. I understand what you mean on the way you feel. Hugs. Michka

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I understand what you mean totally. I too have the one pesky liver tumor that just will NOT give up...Prayers and positive thoughts for you. ((hugs))

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I'm rooting for ya, Marie and am glad for you with this positive news.

Paula

Re: Good and Not so Good News
 

Hi again, thought I'd update you all as it's been a while. I had the PET scans and it definitely showed the liver as avid - I think it was a SUV score of about 8. However, it showed the old pesky lung 'thinglet' as also a bit active at about 3 (I think). The PET also showed a possible bone met on one of my ribs (very slightly avid), but they are not convinced about that as there was only one bone met showing (apparently that's not usual??), and I did injure that side back in October and it felt like a cracked rib back then for about 6 weeks.

My onc got another opinion on the scans as he knew my wish for a liver intervention, but it was felt it best to re-start chemo. So I'm off today for my first chemo in this phase. We've decided to re-try Abraxane as it worked well for me 20 months ago, and of course keeping up the Herceptin. He gave me options for Navelbine/H, Tykerb/Xeloda or compassionate use of TDM-1. But I want to keep them up my sleeve (hope that sleeve is long and spacious!)

As my tumour markers are 'working', we'll be able to see fairly soon if the Abraxane works for me again.

Anyway, must dash now to get my 'juice of life'!

Cheers Marie

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Hi Marie,
Sorry to hear the "thinglets" are active, and that you have to start chemo again. Hope the Abraxane isn't too hard on you, but wallops the targets. What happens with the intervention? It is certainly good to have plenty of options still up your sleeve.
Best wishes..... Pam

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Sorry you have to go back on the chemo train again Marie, sounds like you have a good pan in place, abraxane also worked well for me, here's to it fixing those pesky things once and for all!
Dawn

Re: Good and Not so Good News
 

Im sorry that you have to restart chemotherapy. Lots of prayers and positive energy headed your way that the Abraxane does the same job it did for you before. Little side effects and good results. Totally understand about wanting to keep the others up your sleeve until you absolutely have to use them. Im very encouraged and hopeful when I read your posts, knowing it has been five years for you at stage IV. You are a strong woman and an inspiration! Go forth and kick cancer's butt! :)

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OY I know what you mean about how we stage IV view "news". What a roller coaster! Good news your TM's are useful...amnd blessings in it all even the pieces that don't necessarily understand yet.

I think the bone lighting up on the pet is from the injury, unrelated to cancer at all. You has my (inexpert) permission to cross that one off the list.

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Hi Marie - bummer about the lung thing let lighting up as I know you were keen othe liver treatment options. Good that you can give Abraxane a try again - you know it and your Tm's will be a guide. I never liked bloody roller coasters. At leastyoucan keep other options well up that long sleeve!
Hope treatment goes well.
Amanda xxx

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Marie I'm glad of your good news and the fact you "only" have one issue to worry about!!!:)

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Marie,

There are more and more options coming out of the 'pipeline'... You will have plenty of 'sleeve' that is long and spacious!

Sending you good vibes.

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Hi Marie
How does your oncologist decide whether to try chemo again or do RFA of the liver...can't you do both...I am in the same situation now...Seeing new oncologist on Thursday...

Re: Good and Not so Good News
 

Hi Emy, sorry you've had liver progression... It's been a bit of a series of slightly bad timings for me. Last year my onc came on board of investigating some kind of intervention on my liver. I really was looking at RFA but when I finally found a specialist here in Sydney that was willing to discuss with me, he believed it was too close to the colon for the procedure to be done subcutaneously. (By the way, it's not very common in Australia to have RFA for breast cancer mets). The specialist said that the RFA could be done surgically, but he said if I was going to have surgery, he believed I may as well have it surgically removed, and not have RFA. So that was the path we were following last July. So my onc ordered a PET and if only the liver 'lit' up (no other activity) we would look to the surgery. But lo and behold, everything was in remission, and my take on it is that they won't operate on something that could be just scar tissue.

So when the liver got active again late last year, down the same path again, but this time a lung met lit up as well as the liver. So seeing as I can't have subcutaneous RFA on the liver, it's too big an op to have a liver resection, and have chemo. What I hope is that eventually I get the liver met removed. However, at the same time, I do see there are a few women who have had RFA and liver surgery, and the cancer still comes back.

I think if you can have RFA you should give it a go as I believe it's easier and quicker than liver surgery. Psychologically I really like the idea of not having a growth in my liver!

Keep us posted Emy on your decision....

Best wishes
Marie