Another good and interesting site with info that is helping me to understand about tumor markers…
Tests Category
Thursday, August 27th, 2009
August 2009 Bloodwork
So… I can stop being frustrated over my bloodwork, for now.
Had my August Bloodwork done today (this morning) – Finally!
Was done at North Cypress Medical Center, Outpatient Lab. The staff was very nice… Angelique was the tech and tried to be gentle, but she had to take 6 vials, and by the 4th, it was getting just a bit… uncomfortable. I can see a nice bruise there now and a raised bump at the site. It’s bit tender too… wah wah wah *lol*
I should have results back next week, and be able to compare to last time.
YAY!
Tags: Tumor Markers
Friday, August 21st, 2009
Update on Bloodwork…
To update on my (missing) bloodwork. My PCP Dr‘s office has sent in the info the the lab, all that’s needed now is his authorization, which should be early next week since he is out of the office until next Tuesday.
They will call me and let me know, and then I’ll be off to get stuck and drained…
Tags: lab work
Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
Tumor Markers #4 – Where O Where…?
I am Sooooo freaking frustrated.
Every month I’m Supposed to get a Blood Draw to check my tumor markers. While some Drs don’t put much meaning into the markers, others do… and my #3 results were good. Any good news as far as I’m concerned, right? And it’s been kind of exciting cuz the numbers have been going down. Again – any good news…
So… each month, before my Zometa infusion, I’m supposed to get a draw for my CEA, CA-125, CA 15-3, CA 27.29 (see CA15-3) numbers (total of 7 tests). Also, every 3rd month, I’m also supposed to get a draw for Serum HER-2, Plasma VEGF and Serum EGFR (total of 3 tests).
At my last infusion (#3) I had blood drawn for what I Thought was my monthly AND my 3 month (3 tests).
And I’ve been waiting the results.
Waiting.
Waiting.
Come to find out, there was some mix-up with what tests were supposed to be run and all that was run was the 3 for “3rd month” and not the monthlies. Seems I didn’t make the schedule and tests clear to my Primary Care Physician (PCP) and I guess he thought the last set were a one-time run or something…? I’m not sure, but ends up that only 4 tests were run when it was supposed to be 9. Plus the “3rd month” tests” have to be sent off to Virginia (???) and don’t get back for 2 weeks. I’m guessing that this will all cost me more than the $ I was told… just How much more, I don’t know, but I’m guessing more…
So now I have to get myself back to the hospital and get the blood work done “again”.
Gotta hope my Dragons are Still Protecting Me…
Gotta Hope.
Tags: Tumor Markers
Saturday, August 15th, 2009
RESULTS! PET/CT #3 & Bone #1
Received the results of the PET/CT #3 and Bone Scan #1! I got them confirmed on Friday morning, but with the infusion and all, I’ve not had a chance to post them yet.
So… here we go… The “Overall” News Is Good! YAY!
FINDINGS:
(the tumor) “has diminished from 7.7 x 3.8 cm on the previous exam (April 16 2009) to the current measurements of 6.9 x 2.4 cm.“
That’s a decrease of .8 x 1.4 cm! (There are 2.54 centimeters in 1 inch…)
“FDG (fludeoxyglucose) activity has also diminished from previous peak SUV (standardized uptake value) of 4.8 to the current value 2.37.”
The FDG is the radioactive tracer that they inject for the PET/CT scan, the cancer attracts the FDG, and – from what I understand – the higher the SUV, the more cancer activity
Also…
“Size of the left axillary nodes extending to the subpectoral compartment have also diminished with no hypermetabolic FDG activity demonstrated presently…“
I was told that this means there is no longer activity in my lymph nodes!!!
Not all gone, but is Less!
The fight is Not over yet, not anywhere near finished, but it is LESS!!
For Now, it appears that it is not spreading, and that the activity has decreased… Decreased!!
Unfortunately, the bone scan did confirm the presence of “osteoblastic lesions” in the spine and sacrum which are “suspiciously related to early metastatic disease“… “ localized (on the spine) to the T9, L3, L4 and L5 in a pattern that is most likely produced by early metastatic disease“…
So… while the bone metastasis has not decreased, it has also not increased… so That is a good thing.
And Finally, there is a firm statement of arthritis… “there is evidence of degenerative arthritis in multiple joint areas” “in the feet in the tarsal areas and metatarsal joints, spine, shoulders and knees“…
I am still very much worried… I have won this small battle, but the war is not over… is far from over…
However, as I said, overall, Good Reports for now!
I am doing a (tentative) Happy Dance!
Tuesday, August 11th, 2009
Bone Scan #1 – Done
Did Bone Scan #1 today… not AS expensive as the Pet/CT #3, but still had to hit the fund… this time for $360.00. Bone Scan was at Houston Medical Imaging and the first one I’ve done. It’s necessary, cuz we need to see what is up with the suspected tumors on my spine.
To go back over my story…
From what I’ve been told, the cancer has metastised / spread to my bone, to the vertebra in my lower spine. We’re not sure just how bad it is cuz I didn’t have a baseline scan done. A baseline would show where I WAS (back “then”), vs where I Am Now (whenever “now” is).
The radiologist’s report from my PET/CT scan #1 (March 10 2009) suggested several times due to “suspected metastisis”, to have a bone scan done, but this was never relayed to me.
PET/CT scan #2 (April 16 2009) showed more specific area of concern, but I had just received a shot of Neulasta (due to chemo), which causes the body’s bone marrow to “go into overdrive” to help recover from high-toxcity chemotherapy. Such extra activity could be misinterpreted in a PET/CT, but could also, just as easily, be a true metastisis… These areas were identified as spinal tumors at Burzynski Clinic.
My 3rd opinion, from Dr. Emile Salloum (of Christus Spohn Cancer Center in Corpus Christi, Texas) was hopeful that these “suspect areas” were a false positive due to a combination of arthritis and Neulasta. I’ve never been diagnosed with arthritis though it is very prevalent in my family. A “false positive” would be the Most Preferred outcome – Of Course! And I Am Hopeful! However, I Also have to keep a touch of reality and remember that I was mistreated for 8 months, and that is a long time to be walking the wrong path…
Back to the Bone Scan…
Again, it was a good experience; again Zaki was the tech, and he did a good stick, Not as good as yesterday, which was relatively painful, this one did cause a small prick of discomfort… He gave the infusion… this time I had to wait TWO Hours before testing began! Mom and I drove around, and found an Awesome Thai restaurant, had lunch, then went back to the Lab. At about 12:30, the test commenced. That took another hour+.
Again, it was tiring…
Again, I’m hoping
praying
for some good results.
Again.
Mom took photos…
again
(Results HERE)
Tags: Bone Scan, Dr Salloum, PET Scan, PET/CT Scan, scan
Monday, August 10th, 2009
PET/CT Scan #3 – Done
Did PET/CT Scan #3 today… the second one at Houston Medical Imaging. Had to hit the fund for $1,200.00…
It was a good experience; Zaki was the tech and he did a Great stick, I didn’t hardly feel a thing! He gave the infusion… again, I had to wait a period of time before testing began, I believe it was around an hour this time, and then the test commenced. That took another hour+. Overall, it was tiring…
PET Scan #2 was also done at Houston Medical Imaging, which gave results in a crisp, clear, and color, image.
PET Scan #1 was not such a good image, leaving the results with lots of questions, and recommendations.
I’m hoping
praying
for some good results.
Mom took photos, on her cell phone cuz I forgot the camera…
(Results HERE)
Tags: Houston Medical Imaging, PET Scan, PET/CT Scan, scan
Tuesday, July 7th, 2009
Tumor Markers #3
At my infusion last Friday, they pulled some blood for the “regular” blood work I’m supposed to have to track my tumor markers. I’m actually supposed to have the tests run every 2 weeks, but it’s too expensive for me, so I only get it done about every 4 weeks.
On April 15, my baseline CEA tumor markers were 63.1 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter)
On June 03, my 2nd draw CEA tumor markers were 35.9 ng/mL
My numbers from the July 03 draw are 12.8 ng/mL
12.8…
FREAKING 12.8!!!
Another HUGE drop – a 23.1 Drop!!!!
12.8 is still “high”, but Not As High – norm is 0.0 – 3.0 ng/mL and levels higher than 3 ng/mL are not normal.
Still I wish I was confident with just how much this meant, but this (CEA: The Test) has answered Some questions…
I’m just hoping that this all means Something… Something Good… Please mean Something Good… I don’t want to think I’m going through all this for nothing, only to have the rug pulled out from under me in the end. Mr. Sack pulled the rug out from under me. Seems like I always get the rug pulled out from under me, and I’m Tired of it.
I’m gonna go ahead and be excited anyway cuz Dr. Deleon sure was excited!
My other numbers:
CA-125: 15 U/mL (Reference @ 0-35)
CA 15-3: 33(c) H U/mL (Reference @ <32)
CA 27.29 (see CA15-3 above): 40(e) H U/mL (Reference @ <38)
I’m thinking those numbers are looking close-to normal, but I don’t have any others to compare then to, so these will be my baseline…
I’m going to have PET/CT scan #3 the 2nd week of August, So we should have some idea of “what is what” then… Just Hoping it’s better than PET/CT #2…
Til then my Dragons are Still Protecting Me! And Their Riders are carrying light sabers!
Tags: Cliff Grimes, Clifford F Grimes, Clifford Grimes, Dallas, Mr. Sack, Tumor Markers
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009
Tumor Markers #2
An appointment with Dr Deleon today… did some “routine” blood work.
On April 15, my baseline CEA tumor markers were 63.1 ng/mL
Today, June 03, my tumor markers were 35.9 ng/mL
A 27.2 drop! I’m told that lower numbers are excellent!
Is this a result of the chemo?
Is it the new treatment?
Or some twisted combination of both?
I’m not sure. I wish I knew just how much this meant…
I’m going to have another PET scan in about a month, and we should have some answers at that time..
Til then
My Dragons are protecting me!
Tags: CEA test, Tumor Markers
