Barb, my heart goes out to you. This is tough enough but having just lost your husband makes it even more cruel. I hope you have other family to support you, or church friends, but know that you've found a great group of friends here, so you've come to a good place.
I myself don't have the CA27-29 done as it wasn't ever elevated even when I had active cancer. Instead, I have the CEA done. What I know about markers in general though, is that the doctors look for a trend to indicate possible activity. In your case, especially after just coming out of treatment and starting into radiation, it wouldn't be unusual for the markers to fluctuate for awhile, until "all the dust settles" and you're somewhat back to normal in all other respects; healed from rads, red and white cell counts back up, etc. Then, if your marker is still elevated and especially if it continues to inch up, that would call for concern.
The hardness in the lumpectomy site and the sore spots, in the breast, you should have looked at by your surgeon...maybe an MRI could be done and if that's inconclusive ask for a needle biopsy. You have a right to have these concerns addressed to your satisfication.
Finally, staying positive IS hard, even when we're totally symptom free. It just does take time to learn to breath again. Just try to give yourself time each day to relax and say, "Right now, for 10 minutes, I'm not going to worry about cancer." Then, each day try to give yourself a little bit more time, and as time goes by you learn to put cancer in it's place and you CAN live normally most of the time. I don't mean to trivialize what you're going through, but sometimes these little tricks are very helpful. We basically have to teach ourselves how to live again.
You are brave and strong, and you will get through this.
Love and Hugs,
Lolly
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