Guest guest Posted July 29, 2005 Report Share Posted July 29, 2005 Sorry it's taken me a couple of days to reply back to you-esp. after your replied to me so quickly. I was out at working at a remote office for a few days. Anyway ... The surgeon removed a large tumor from his colon, but didn't touch the tumors on his liver. The surgeon was actually very grim about my dad's prognosis, so it's even more amazing to us that he's doing so well. The onc. only prescribed him Xeloda. (I think because my dad was really, really scared about a port-a-cath & intravenous chemo - to almost the point of not wanting to try chemo.) She originally mentioned putting him on Avastin, but then decided to just try the Xeloda on its own at first. It's reassuring to read that the CEA readings can be very erratic during chemo. They do have the baseline scans from when they found the tumors, but they haven't done another one yet. The dr. wanted to wait until he finished the 4 rounds of Xeloda and then do another scan. Caroline. > > Caroline: > Where was the tumor that was removed? Was it in the liver? Was that the > only liver tumor or were there others that could not be removed? If they > removed all of the visible tumors, it sounds like he has done well. You said he > is on " chemo with Xeloda " . Is he on Folfox? I am just starting chemo next > week after liver resection, colon resection, and more and I am starting on > Folfox (Oxaliplatin, 5FU and Leucovorin with Avastin to be added the third > round). No Xeloda the first time. I am curious as to what other chemo he is using > and is doing so well on. The CEA can be misleading and it is more important > to look at the CT/Pet Scans. Has he had a follow up or baseline scan since > he began chemo? > > > Hi - I don't think I've introduced myself before; I'm primarily > a " lurker " on this board... My dad was diagnosed with stage 4 colon > cancer (w/ mets to liver and lymph nodes) on 5/18/05. He was > admitted to the hospital immediately and had a large tumor removed > and part of his colon 3 days later and a permanent colostomy put in. > He started chemo w/ Xeloda about 3 weeks later. After the first > round (2 weeks on, 2 weeks off), he went back to the oncologist for a > check-up. Although he looks really good - maintaining his weight & > had only some nausea and fatigue with the chemo - his CEA level was > still up. The onc. said that was only part of the evaluation. Since > he looked so good, she said that was more important and ordered him 3 > more rounds of Xeloda. Over the weekend, he finished his 2nd course > of the Xeloda. He handled this course much better than the first - > virtually no nausea & much less fatigue. He's eating much better > this time - almost all the same foods he did before the surgery. > And, he's been more active - taking trips to the store & swimming in > their pool. > > Here's my question - how important are the CEA levels? Dad goes back > in next week for another blood test evaluation, and I'm worried about > the impact on his spirits if the CEA levels are still increasing. His > spirits have been much better (thank you Zoloft!) the last few weeks, > and if the CEA isn't that important, I don't want him to sink into > depression (which he's prone to.) > > Thanks, > Caroline. > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2005 Report Share Posted July 29, 2005 Sorry it's taken me a couple of days to reply back to you-esp. after your replied to me so quickly. I was out at working at a remote office for a few days. Anyway ... The surgeon removed a large tumor from his colon, but didn't touch the tumors on his liver. The surgeon was actually very grim about my dad's prognosis, so it's even more amazing to us that he's doing so well. The onc. only prescribed him Xeloda. (I think because my dad was really, really scared about a port-a-cath & intravenous chemo - to almost the point of not wanting to try chemo.) She originally mentioned putting him on Avastin, but then decided to just try the Xeloda on its own at first. It's reassuring to read that the CEA readings can be very erratic during chemo. They do have the baseline scans from when they found the tumors, but they haven't done another one yet. The dr. wanted to wait until he finished the 4 rounds of Xeloda and then do another scan. Caroline. > > Caroline: > Where was the tumor that was removed? Was it in the liver? Was that the > only liver tumor or were there others that could not be removed? If they > removed all of the visible tumors, it sounds like he has done well. You said he > is on " chemo with Xeloda " . Is he on Folfox? I am just starting chemo next > week after liver resection, colon resection, and more and I am starting on > Folfox (Oxaliplatin, 5FU and Leucovorin with Avastin to be added the third > round). No Xeloda the first time. I am curious as to what other chemo he is using > and is doing so well on. The CEA can be misleading and it is more important > to look at the CT/Pet Scans. Has he had a follow up or baseline scan since > he began chemo? > > > Hi - I don't think I've introduced myself before; I'm primarily > a " lurker " on this board... My dad was diagnosed with stage 4 colon > cancer (w/ mets to liver and lymph nodes) on 5/18/05. He was > admitted to the hospital immediately and had a large tumor removed > and part of his colon 3 days later and a permanent colostomy put in. > He started chemo w/ Xeloda about 3 weeks later. After the first > round (2 weeks on, 2 weeks off), he went back to the oncologist for a > check-up. Although he looks really good - maintaining his weight & > had only some nausea and fatigue with the chemo - his CEA level was > still up. The onc. said that was only part of the evaluation. Since > he looked so good, she said that was more important and ordered him 3 > more rounds of Xeloda. Over the weekend, he finished his 2nd course > of the Xeloda. He handled this course much better than the first - > virtually no nausea & much less fatigue. He's eating much better > this time - almost all the same foods he did before the surgery. > And, he's been more active - taking trips to the store & swimming in > their pool. > > Here's my question - how important are the CEA levels? Dad goes back > in next week for another blood test evaluation, and I'm worried about > the impact on his spirits if the CEA levels are still increasing. His > spirits have been much better (thank you Zoloft!) the last few weeks, > and if the CEA isn't that important, I don't want him to sink into > depression (which he's prone to.) > > Thanks, > Caroline. > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2005 Report Share Posted July 29, 2005 Unfortunately, my parents live in NM, and I live in TX, so I can't normally be there for his dr. appointments. But, I'll mention it to my mom so she can talk with his oncologist. At this point, my dad's feeling so well, that we're thinking something has to be working! He had a big problem with ascites at the beginning, but that doesn't seem to be coming back signficantly like it was before, so we think the chemo has to be working on the liver tumors. The main thing we're happy about right now is that my dad's enjoying a really good quality of life. This week, he and my mom went out for dinner and drinks for the first time since before his surgery in May. Mom said it was really fun - felt like back to normal again. Thanks for all the help! Caroline. > > Hi - I don't think I've introduced myself before; I'm primarily > > a " lurker " on this board... My dad was diagnosed with stage 4 > colon > > cancer (w/ mets to liver and lymph nodes) on 5/18/05. He was > > admitted to the hospital immediately and had a large tumor removed > > and part of his colon 3 days later and a permanent colostomy put > in. > > He started chemo w/ Xeloda about 3 weeks later. After the first > > round (2 weeks on, 2 weeks off), he went back to the oncologist for > a > > check-up. Although he looks really good - maintaining his weight & > > had only some nausea and fatigue with the chemo - his CEA level was > > still up. The onc. said that was only part of the evaluation. > Since > > he looked so good, she said that was more important and ordered him > 3 > > more rounds of Xeloda. Over the weekend, he finished his 2nd > course > > of the Xeloda. He handled this course much better than the first - > > virtually no nausea & much less fatigue. He's eating much better > > this time - almost all the same foods he did before the surgery. > > And, he's been more active - taking trips to the store & swimming > in > > their pool. > > > > Here's my question - how important are the CEA levels? Dad goes > back > > in next week for another blood test evaluation, and I'm worried > about > > the impact on his spirits if the CEA levels are still increasing. > His > > spirits have been much better (thank you Zoloft!) the last few > weeks, > > and if the CEA isn't that important, I don't want him to sink into > > depression (which he's prone to.) > > > > Thanks, > > Caroline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2005 Report Share Posted July 29, 2005 Unfortunately, my parents live in NM, and I live in TX, so I can't normally be there for his dr. appointments. But, I'll mention it to my mom so she can talk with his oncologist. At this point, my dad's feeling so well, that we're thinking something has to be working! He had a big problem with ascites at the beginning, but that doesn't seem to be coming back signficantly like it was before, so we think the chemo has to be working on the liver tumors. The main thing we're happy about right now is that my dad's enjoying a really good quality of life. This week, he and my mom went out for dinner and drinks for the first time since before his surgery in May. Mom said it was really fun - felt like back to normal again. Thanks for all the help! Caroline. > > Hi - I don't think I've introduced myself before; I'm primarily > > a " lurker " on this board... My dad was diagnosed with stage 4 > colon > > cancer (w/ mets to liver and lymph nodes) on 5/18/05. He was > > admitted to the hospital immediately and had a large tumor removed > > and part of his colon 3 days later and a permanent colostomy put > in. > > He started chemo w/ Xeloda about 3 weeks later. After the first > > round (2 weeks on, 2 weeks off), he went back to the oncologist for > a > > check-up. Although he looks really good - maintaining his weight & > > had only some nausea and fatigue with the chemo - his CEA level was > > still up. The onc. said that was only part of the evaluation. > Since > > he looked so good, she said that was more important and ordered him > 3 > > more rounds of Xeloda. Over the weekend, he finished his 2nd > course > > of the Xeloda. He handled this course much better than the first - > > virtually no nausea & much less fatigue. He's eating much better > > this time - almost all the same foods he did before the surgery. > > And, he's been more active - taking trips to the store & swimming > in > > their pool. > > > > Here's my question - how important are the CEA levels? Dad goes > back > > in next week for another blood test evaluation, and I'm worried > about > > the impact on his spirits if the CEA levels are still increasing. > His > > spirits have been much better (thank you Zoloft!) the last few > weeks, > > and if the CEA isn't that important, I don't want him to sink into > > depression (which he's prone to.) > > > > Thanks, > > Caroline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2005 Report Share Posted July 29, 2005 Caroline, In the files of this group there is a explaination of what the CEA means. Larry and Janet Http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Janetrgreen Caroline ecaroline1213@...> wrote: Sorry it's taken me a couple of days to reply back to you-esp. after your replied to me so quickly. I was out at working at a remote office for a few days. Anyway ... The surgeon removed a large tumor from his colon, but didn't touch the tumors on his liver. The surgeon was actually very grim about my dad's prognosis, so it's even more amazing to us that he's doing so well. The onc. only prescribed him Xeloda. (I think because my dad was really, really scared about a port-a-cath & intravenous chemo - to almost the point of not wanting to try chemo.) She originally mentioned putting him on Avastin, but then decided to just try the Xeloda on its own at first. It's reassuring to read that the CEA readings can be very erratic during chemo. They do have the baseline scans from when they found the tumors, but they haven't done another one yet. The dr. wanted to wait until he finished the 4 rounds of Xeloda and then do another scan. Caroline. > > Caroline: > Where was the tumor that was removed? Was it in the liver? Was that the > only liver tumor or were there others that could not be removed? If they > removed all of the visible tumors, it sounds like he has done well. You said he > is on " chemo with Xeloda " . Is he on Folfox? I am just starting chemo next > week after liver resection, colon resection, and more and I am starting on > Folfox (Oxaliplatin, 5FU and Leucovorin with Avastin to be added the third > round). No Xeloda the first time. I am curious as to what other chemo he is using > and is doing so well on. The CEA can be misleading and it is more important > to look at the CT/Pet Scans. Has he had a follow up or baseline scan since > he began chemo? > > > Hi - I don't think I've introduced myself before; I'm primarily > a " lurker " on this board... My dad was diagnosed with stage 4 colon > cancer (w/ mets to liver and lymph nodes) on 5/18/05. He was > admitted to the hospital immediately and had a large tumor removed > and part of his colon 3 days later and a permanent colostomy put in. > He started chemo w/ Xeloda about 3 weeks later. After the first > round (2 weeks on, 2 weeks off), he went back to the oncologist for a > check-up. Although he looks really good - maintaining his weight & > had only some nausea and fatigue with the chemo - his CEA level was > still up. The onc. said that was only part of the evaluation. Since > he looked so good, she said that was more important and ordered him 3 > more rounds of Xeloda. Over the weekend, he finished his 2nd course > of the Xeloda. He handled this course much better than the first - > virtually no nausea & much less fatigue. He's eating much better > this time - almost all the same foods he did before the surgery. > And, he's been more active - taking trips to the store & swimming in > their pool. > > Here's my question - how important are the CEA levels? Dad goes back > in next week for another blood test evaluation, and I'm worried about > the impact on his spirits if the CEA levels are still increasing. His > spirits have been much better (thank you Zoloft!) the last few weeks, > and if the CEA isn't that important, I don't want him to sink into > depression (which he's prone to.) > > Thanks, > Caroline. > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2005 Report Share Posted July 29, 2005 Caroline & Karima: My mother in law lives in Taos but has lived in various other places in New Mexico for many years (Santa Fe & Costilla). Santa Fe became too big for her and she built a beautiful home on a golf course in Taos where it is more peaceful. She still travels into Santa Fe once a week. She loves it. Where are your parents, Caroline? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2005 Report Share Posted July 29, 2005 Caroline & Karima: My mother in law lives in Taos but has lived in various other places in New Mexico for many years (Santa Fe & Costilla). Santa Fe became too big for her and she built a beautiful home on a golf course in Taos where it is more peaceful. She still travels into Santa Fe once a week. She loves it. Where are your parents, Caroline? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2005 Report Share Posted July 29, 2005 That is wonderful to hear that your dad is feeling so good and able to get out with your mom and enjoy life a bit. Makes all the difference in the world. I still have not heard about my scan, grrr. I expect my Onc will call me today or I will call someone next week. I can't expect them to remember all the people and reasons to call them, BUT he should remember to go over all his patients records before the weekend. Where in Texas are you? I am in central Texas next door to Fort Hood... What part of NM are your folks. My sis used to live across border in Hobbs, what God forsaken territory that was, well west Texas is too.. She lives in AZ now. Anyway I am going to have to call about my back as well, as it is still giving me cause to complain. Should have been back to normal by now.. Grrr. I am afraid it will affect my breathing ( I have COPD as well), hurts like heck to sneeze but not as bad as it was.. I just don't want any problem with my breathing to mess me up. As it is I don't feel right going job hunting just yet, want to make sure I am ALL well before I do that. Why is your dad so afraid of the Port A Cath and intraveneous chemo? I have had no problem with my cath, I hardly know it is there anymore. My chemo was not bad at all. Had some instances where I was quite tired after I completed a chemo cycle, but over all felt pretty darn good - the drugs esp Decadron - helped my breathing (a steroid) as well as took my aches and pains away from my hips and knees which are now back again, and may also play a part in my breathing now. I am worrying now more than I did during chemo. Not about the cancer but about everything else...LOL.. Go figure. I surely hope you dad continues to feel well, that is a really good sign far as I am concerned. Will remember you all in my prayers. Jolene Caroline wrote: > Unfortunately, my parents live in NM, and I live in TX, so I can't > normally be there for his dr. appointments. But, I'll mention it to > my mom so she can talk with his oncologist. At this point, my dad's > feeling so well, that we're thinking something has to be working! He > had a big problem with ascites at the beginning, but that doesn't > seem to be coming back signficantly like it was before, so we think > the chemo has to be working on the liver tumors. The main thing > we're happy about right now is that my dad's enjoying a really good > quality of life. This week, he and my mom went out for dinner and > drinks for the first time since before his surgery in May. Mom said > it was really fun - felt like back to normal again. > > Thanks for all the help! > Caroline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2005 Report Share Posted July 29, 2005 Jolene, I am so sorry that your back is acting up again. I think it has been going on for too long now. Perhaps you need to get it checked to make sure it is not a pinched nerve or something like that. I am adding a Prayer for your back as well. Do hope you get some relief from the back soon. Ingrid > > > Unfortunately, my parents live in NM, and I live in TX, so I can't > > normally be there for his dr. appointments. But, I'll mention it to > > my mom so she can talk with his oncologist. At this point, my dad's > > feeling so well, that we're thinking something has to be working! He > > had a big problem with ascites at the beginning, but that doesn't > > seem to be coming back signficantly like it was before, so we think > > the chemo has to be working on the liver tumors. The main thing > > we're happy about right now is that my dad's enjoying a really good > > quality of life. This week, he and my mom went out for dinner and > > drinks for the first time since before his surgery in May. Mom said > > it was really fun - felt like back to normal again. > > > > Thanks for all the help! > > Caroline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2005 Report Share Posted July 29, 2005 Jolene, I am so sorry that your back is acting up again. I think it has been going on for too long now. Perhaps you need to get it checked to make sure it is not a pinched nerve or something like that. I am adding a Prayer for your back as well. Do hope you get some relief from the back soon. Ingrid > > > Unfortunately, my parents live in NM, and I live in TX, so I can't > > normally be there for his dr. appointments. But, I'll mention it to > > my mom so she can talk with his oncologist. At this point, my dad's > > feeling so well, that we're thinking something has to be working! He > > had a big problem with ascites at the beginning, but that doesn't > > seem to be coming back signficantly like it was before, so we think > > the chemo has to be working on the liver tumors. The main thing > > we're happy about right now is that my dad's enjoying a really good > > quality of life. This week, he and my mom went out for dinner and > > drinks for the first time since before his surgery in May. Mom said > > it was really fun - felt like back to normal again. > > > > Thanks for all the help! > > Caroline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2005 Report Share Posted July 29, 2005 Jolene, I am so sorry that your back is acting up again. I think it has been going on for too long now. Perhaps you need to get it checked to make sure it is not a pinched nerve or something like that. I am adding a Prayer for your back as well. Do hope you get some relief from the back soon. Ingrid > > > Unfortunately, my parents live in NM, and I live in TX, so I can't > > normally be there for his dr. appointments. But, I'll mention it to > > my mom so she can talk with his oncologist. At this point, my dad's > > feeling so well, that we're thinking something has to be working! He > > had a big problem with ascites at the beginning, but that doesn't > > seem to be coming back signficantly like it was before, so we think > > the chemo has to be working on the liver tumors. The main thing > > we're happy about right now is that my dad's enjoying a really good > > quality of life. This week, he and my mom went out for dinner and > > drinks for the first time since before his surgery in May. Mom said > > it was really fun - felt like back to normal again. > > > > Thanks for all the help! > > Caroline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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