Coping Category

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

Test Results – Tumor Markers #9

My PCP‘s office called with my my lab results…

Last Friday (Jan 22 2010), I had the bloodwork drawn to track my tumor markers. It was draw #9. I’ve been having pretty good results to-date, some ups some downs, some increases, some decreases – all within acceptable margins…

However, I’ve had a lot of unexplained aches and pains, especially breast and bone pain, and been battling stress and depression which I was – am – sure effected my health. So I’ve been Very scared of these results…

Very Scared.

This blood draw was for the monthly tests (most specifically my CEA Tumor Markers).

* April 15, my baseline CEA tumor markers were 63.1 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter). This is High, as Norm is 0.0-3.0 ng/mL.
I honestly don’t know how high “really high” is, but – in my internet searching – I read one gal talk about the mid-200′s, so I guess my high is not That high, but It’s High To me.
* June 03, my 2nd draw CEA tumor markers were 35.9 ng/mL
* July 03, my 3rd draw CEA tumor markers were 12.8 ng/mL
* August 27, my 4th draw CEA tumor markers were 3.9 ng/mL
* September 18, my 5th draw CEA tumor markers were 3.3 ng/mL
* October 16, my 6th CEA tumor markers were 3.2 ng/mL
* November 20, my 7th CEA tumor markers were 2.7 ng/mL
* December 18, my 8th CEA tumor markers are 2.8 ng/mL

* January 22, my 9th CEA tumor markers are 3.1 ng/mL
This is a .3 INCREASE from last month, and puts me just above the normal range…

Dr. Khan has reassured me that this small increase is nothing to be concerned about, so I will TRY not to worry… Yah, right.

As always, I’m unsure, but this (CEA: The Test) continues to answer Some of my questions…

My Other Numbers as of January 22 2010 blood test results:

* CA-125: 12 U/mL (Reference @ 0-35)
a 2 point DECREASE – down from 14 U/mL from December’s draw… I am well within normal range.

* CA 15-3: 16 U/mL (Reference @ <32)
a 4 point DECREASE – down from from 20 U/mL from December’s draw; I’m well within the normal range.

* CA 27.29 (see CA15-3 above): 27 U/mL (Reference @ <38)
a 4 point DECREASE – down from 31 U/mL from November’s draw. This decrease makes me very happy!

The CA 27.29 test is used to monitor your:

  • Response to treatment
  • Status of your cancer
  • Possibility of early recurrence

With all the aches and pains I’ve been having
With all the stress and depression I’ve been fighting
I’ve been Very Very worried…
But these results help ease my mind.

Taking a breath
Relaxing
Destressing
Its all good…
It Will Be Good.

Visualizing my Dragons
My Warrior Dragons
Burning

Never Stopping.

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Sunday, January 24th, 2010

Lessening

I woke this morning
with no headache
and no numbness
Yay.

Though my brain feels “sore”

My muscles and joints
don’t hurt as bad
nor does my breast
though there is still pain there.
still…

I am working on my eBay today…

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Monday, January 18th, 2010

The Curves Movement

Today, I got moving
got up early
got dressed
and went to work-out at the
Curves studio in my neighborhood
utilizing the membership that was a gift.

I was only able to do one circuit
I used to easily do three per session
but I’m Happy to be moving
and will be working on
my stamina.

I am feeling better
to be moving
with not so much
aches and pains
They are still there
just not as intense.

With the warmer weather
and the exercise
I am moving
I am feeling better.

I am moving
and I am feeling better
Yes I Am.

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Saturday, January 16th, 2010

Curvey

Times are tough all over
People loosing jobs
I lost my job.

My Friend, Kristen, has lost her job
her “day” job
and will be temporarily moving to another state
to pursue an opportunity.

I wanted to get with her to wish her luck before she left,
so I went to her “other” job to see her.
She owns a Curves studio in my neighborhood
I used to be a member, “before”.

Mr. Sack gave me the membership
for my birthday 2008
plus flowers
when he was still being a
nice guy
and cared.

Kristen has been busy and is not a computer person
does not read my blog often
so did not know of my need to start exercising again
or the search for a Rebounder.

She was unaware of my need to start exercising
but I cannot afford to pay for a membership.

Kristen has gifted me a month membership to her Curves location
with the stipulation that I get my eBay up and running.

A gift AND incentive!
Thank You, Kristen!

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Sunday, January 10th, 2010

Weather

It has been So Dang Cold here, I can barely function.

I went out this afternoon, and walking to and from the Explorer left me chilled deep.

The cold weather didn’t used to bother me so much, I actually used to enjoy it. But since the chemo, and this current treatment, I feel the cold just biting into my body.

Can’t wait til it warms up some…

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Sunday, January 10th, 2010

Calcium vs cancer

Seeing that there is a general belief that milk is not good for cancer, especially my type of cancer, I thought – what about calcium…?

So off I went to Google “calcium and cancer”.

Lots of info.
Of course.

Appears that many believe that calcium is quite good in the fight for cancer.
But not from milk.
There are plenty of veggies that are rich in calcium

There are those who state that the most important resource for calcium is coral calcium.

Others do not agree…

Be Wary of Coral Calcium and Robert Barefoot

There are also supplements claiming to be coral calcium, which are not, so “buyer beware”.

The National Cancer Institute, a government agency, does not support calcium therapy for cancer. The National Cancer Institute’s views on calcium are pretty much what we have heard for years – get it from milk and it does a body good.

Yes, there are those who “prey” on people like me – who are fighting this horrible battle. In this fight, any extra “bullet” MIGHT make a difference, so I have made the choice to add additional calcium to my supplement list.

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Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

Rebounding

I’ve been advised to start exercising.
It will do my body, spirit and emotions good
Yes, I agree.

A type of exercise I’ve been advised to look into is “rebounding”.
I put a word out to my Friends and network asking if anyone had a mini-trampoline that was gathering dust. Also checked the local resales.
No luck so far.

I did find this Urban Rebounder that I sure would like to have… or this heavy-duty “Gym” version for “larger people” like me, but Of Course, costs more money…

I’m finding that there are several different versions available under different names, but not all have the stabilizing bar, which would be very important for me, with the balance issues I am having.

I’m keeping an eye on CraigsList and eBay…

Why Rebounding Is So Beneficial

“Mini-Trampoline Exercise Good For Lymphatic System

The human body needs to move. The lymph system bathes every cell, carrying nutrients to the cell and waste products away. Contrary to blood which is pumped by the heart, the lymph is totally dependent on physical exercise to move. Without adequate movement, the cells are left stewing in their own waste products and starving for nutrients, a situation which contributes to arthritis, cancer and other degenerative diseases as well as aging. Vigorous exercise such as rebounding is reported to increase lymph flow by 15 to 30 times. “

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Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

Falling

i feel like i am
Falling
Back into
A pattern of
Normalcy
Which
Concerns me
Because i
Need to be
Alert
Vigilant
No time for
Lackadaisical
Meandering
No time for
Forgetting
That I am
Fighting.

This is
Serious
My
Life.

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Monday, January 4th, 2010

Lip Service

Side effects – drying and splitting

First it was my fingers – dry and splitting

Then my toes and heels – dry and splitting

bandages, neosporin
and
slathering with creams
Udderly_Smooth
Eucerin Calming creme
Curél Ultra Healing

when one stops working
switch to the other
constant rotation

Now…

my lips – dry and splitting
raw
clown mouth

neosporin
and
slathering with balm
Burt’s Bees
Chapstick Naturals
Blistex

when one stops working
switch to the other
constant rotation

each day is
an adventure
more adventure.

My poor lips...

My poor lips...

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Sunday, January 3rd, 2010

The List

In an effort to help and get myself out of this funk, I am making a list of all the things that I need to attend to. And I am going to TRY to address one item per day, until the list is completed.

Then I will consider the next list.

Just trying…

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