Liver Enzymes
SUSAN! Okay, here's my liver tale. NOT that is YOUR liver situation, but something to consider. Don't want to scare anyone but -- knowledge is empowering! May my experience serve as a learning tool to be totally proactive!!
'95 mastec/tram flap reconst + 4AC + 8 CMF. They stopped ev 8 wk CT scans. That floored me. Did ev 3 mnth comprehensive bld work. Didn't get copies of all my reports and tests back then. Do now. Compare everything.
I got a call -- everything is fine. Great. Yes. But, well, there is a *slight* elevation in liver enzymes. Oh??? I wouldn't worry about it. Ok.
3 mnths later -- got a call. Same exact conversation. WHAT COULD BE CAUSING MY LIVER ENZYMES TO BE ELEVATED???? It could be anything. Anything you take. Cholesterol medication, blood pressure meds... But, it's very very slight. I wouldn't worry about it... Ok. (I begin to really worry about it.)
3 mnths later -- got a call. Same exact conversation. OK! CAN I GET A *LIVER* SONOGRAM? I didn't even know what I was saying except that I wanted to check out my liver. Oh, you mean an abdominal sonogram. Well, yes. I guess we could substantiate that. I'll set something up. Or would you rather do it yourself.
Had the liver/excuse me abdominal sono. Many apologies. I just can't be certain what I'm looking at here. I'm sorry. I have to send you for a CT scan. Ok.
Long story short, biopsy followed CT scan. Had multiple tumors in my liver. Tumor markers still in normal range for mnths after began Taxotere. Asked if I was HER2+. This was '98, still in clinical trials. Read my signature for details, or ask away.
I surely pray this is not YOUR scenario Susan. Marie brought your post up and I caught it from late Aug. WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOU? Please tell us!
Sending loving energy your way. Praying for good news in your case!
Andi
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Andi BB
'95 post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive...
'98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission 5/99. Taxotere weekly for 6 wks, 2 wks off -- for 9 mnths. TALK ABOUT GRUELING! (I believe they've altered that protocol since those days -- sure hope so!!)
+ good old Vit H wkly for 1st 3 yrs, then triple dosage ev 3 wks for 7 yrs more... The "easy" chemo, right?! Not a walk in the park, but not a freight train coming at 'ya either...
Added Herceptin Nov '98 (6 wks after FDA fast-tracked it for met bc). Stayed w/Vit H till July '08! Now I AM FREE! Humbly and eternally grateful for this life-saving drug! NED since '99 and planning on keeping it that way. To hell w/poor prognosis and nasty stats! STOPPED VIT H JULY '08...! REMAIN STABLE... Eternally grateful...Yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds ... (e e cummings) EVERY DAY I BEAT MY PREVIOUS RECORD FOR # OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I'VE STAYED ALIVE. Smile KNOWING you too can be a miracle. Up to me and God now...
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