Tumor Markers & Update

[vlcarr]

I had my 5th chemo this past Thursday. I must say the 4th one was the easiest one on me so far. No bad stomach pain and no mouth sores. I told my onc that I worried I didn't get my chemo. My hair is also growing--even the dreaded chin ones! The only difference was a script for Marinol she gave me after my 4th treatment. At the first sign of stomach pain I would take one but didn't have to take that many.

I got a script for muscle spasms this time as a new side effect seems to be leg and joint pain.

I talked to my onc about what happens after treatment and I've read some post from you guys about that as well. I have my last chemo on 01/28, wait a month and then have radiation for 6 1/2 weeks and continue herceptin until June.

I asked about follow up care and basically she said they don't do tumor markers or scans. I will see here every 4 to 6 months and if I have any persistent pain that would be checked out further. She said tumor makers are not reliable and they don't use those as a sign of recurrence.

My questions for you guys are:

1. Did you get tumor marker tests to check for recurrence?
2. If so, is that a standard or did you fight to get them?
3. Did the test find new cancer or cause you get treatment?
4. What type of tumor marker tests did you get and at what point did the results cause you to get more scans, etc and was anything found?

I guess I'm trying to find out many of you caught a recurrence using these tests.

I would also like to know where you were/are being treated as well.

This is all to new to me so I researched the internet and searched for posts here but found conflicting information on the validity of these tests and didn't fully understand which ones to get. I doubt I will get them based on what my onc said but would like to know if you get them and have they helped.

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences.