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Tumor markers are up, & so is my anxiety!
I am just beyond stressed tonight. I had my 6 month onc appt today. My onc said my TM'ers were up to 46...that's high for me. (Reference range is 38)
I've been getting my TM'ers done since I was dx. They have always been 15 to 18. But over the last yr they have slowly been inching up which has concerned me but my onc just ignores it.
My last visit to her was 6 months ago & I told her I was concerned about my lungs & scapula pain. I requested a PET/CT scan back then. She refused and told me to see my primary doc. Which I did and he wouldn't order a scan either...just did a x-ray which showed nothing. Anyway I caused a stink back then because I was concerned. Three doc's all refused. I did get them to NOTE that I requested a scan and it was refused.
Now 6 months later and my TM'ers are up to 46 and I'm scared to death. So now my onc FINALLY ordered me to have a PET/CT. But I'm so ticked off because I asked for a scan 6 months ago. Plus I asked my onc if I could have the PET/CT asap...I can't wait...to much anxiety. She looked me right in the face and said "Yea, you should have no problem getting in this week".
Well she gives me the orders for the gal at the desk and it said right on it, "Schedule PET/CT for 2 or 3 wks". The girl setting up my PET/CT said she had to follow my onc orders...so my PET isn't until the 28th & thats only because I pushed the issue. Then she has me set-up to come in a MONTH after the scan. I can't believe this. If you can't tell I am stressed out of my mind tonight. I've been telling her to pay attention to my markers for a long time now...I know they aren't always a reliable tool..but in my case they always remained consisted. Why would they be so high all of a sudden. Has anyone here had their TM'ers jump that high before and it not be a recurrance?
Here's my TM'er readings over the last yr that were every 3 to 4 months as they inched their way up. 15, 18, 20, 23, 25, & now 46. I know I shouldn't worry until I know for sure...but as you all know that is easier said then done.
Chelee
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DX: 12-20-05 - Stage IIIA, Her2/Neu, 3+++,Er & Pr weakly positive, 5 of 16 pos nodes.
Rt. MRM on 1-3-06 -- No Rads due to compromised lungs.
Chemo started 2-7-06 -- TCH - - Finished 6-12-06
Finished yr of wkly herceptin 3-19-07
3-15-07 Lt side prophylactic simple mastectomy. -- Ooph 4-05-07
9-21-09 PET/CT "Recurrence" to Rt. axllia, Rt. femur, ilium. Possible Sacrum & liver? Now stage IV.
9-28-09 Loading dose of Herceptin & started Zometa
9-29-09 Power Port Placement
10-24-09 Mass 6.4 x 4.7 cm on Rt. femur head.
11-19-09 RT. Femur surgery - Rod placed
12-7-09 Navelbine added to Herceptin/Zometa.
3-23-10 Ten days of rads to RT femur. Completed.
4-05-10 Quit Navelbine--Herceptin/Zometa alone.
5-4-10 Appt. with Dr. Slamon to see what is next? Waiting on FISH results from femur biopsy.
Results to FISH was unsuccessful--this happens less then 2% of the time.
7-7-10 Recurrence to RT axilla again. Back to UCLA for options.
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