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Old 08-17-2012, 06:41 PM   #1
KristinSchwick
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 231
Obsessed with tumor marker number?

So I am trying really really hard not to view my tumor marker number (Ca27.29) as a survival statistic or something, but I know if it goes up again I'm going to freak out (again).

Anyone out there feel just great (aka stable to mild progression) and have elevated (not normal) tumor markers.

I feel amazing, I jog, I bike, and do all the house hold chores including taking care of a 2 year old boy. BUT........ my tumor marker makes me sweat bullets and keeps me on edge.

My therapist reminds me to judge "my health" on how I feel physically and not rely on "a number", my oncologist says the same damn thing. I can't let it go- though. Any advice out there?

Love to all fighting!
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[B]Kristin
Aug 2010: diagnosed stage 3b, 4 mo. after birth of son. 29 yrs old and breastfeeding, ER/PR-, Her-2+ started Neoadjuvant therapy: 4x FEC, 10x abraxane & Herceptin
Feb 2011: L mx with recon. Path. showed only DCIS but 4/10+ nodes.
March 2011: 6 wks rads.
Mother passed, lower back pain.
Late May 2011: Bone mets but organs clear; Tykerb, Xeloda, Xgeva. Stopped Herceptin. Implant infected: removed implant.
October 2011: Bone progression; Gemzar and Carboplatin & restarted Herceptin.
Jan 2012: Progression, re-classified as ER+; Tykerb, Herceptin, Zoladex & Femara. Anti-E is working!
May 2012: ovaries out, markers stable but elevated. Cont. Herceptin, Tykerb, Xgeva & Femara.
Dec 2012: aromasin
Jan 2013: faslodex, herceptin, tykerb
Jun: Kadcyla
Aug: Rads to hip, then Perjeta, Herceptin & Taxotere
Nov 2013: Perjeta, Herceptin, Halaven
Early 2014: Affinitor, Aromasin, Perjeta, Herceptin.
June 2014: Estradiol, Perjeta, Herceptin
Aug 14: Tamoxofin, H & P
http://kristin-notdying-blog.blogspot.com/
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