High TMs so I'm waiting for the 3 scans to be scheduled....

AnacortesGirl

Last week was my 3 month appt with the onc.  Turns out we had a missed communication from the last visit and all I got was the report that my CEA was 6.0.  I didn't hear that my CA27.29 was 60.  Guess that wasn't all bad because I spent 3 naive months with no worry.  Just got the results of this CA 27.29 and it's 130.  So now I'm waiting to find out the schedule of my scans.  I'm getting an MRI, bone scan and CT.  Since my headaches have gotten worse this last month he had me do a brain MRI before the TM results were back.  The tech said that "between me and the fence posts your brain scan looks good".

I'm worried.  My husband is worried.  This is the worst it's been for us since the original dx days.

I just finished 12 sessions of PT to get my lymphedema under control.  My arm swelled and then got hard.  So the therapist did drainage and then wrapped my arm.  She also taught me how to wrap it so I'm suppose to do that every night.  Luckily my DH does a beautiful job so I get help there.  In the meantime the arm problem cut into my gardening in a major way.  About the only thing I've been able to do is deadhead flowers.  She didn't want me doing anything more rigorous until the hardness was gone and the swelling under control so my compression sleeve could handle it.

Now this.  My new motto is "plant a tree" and I keep telling myself to just go out and plant a tree but it's harder to get the feet moving now.  The reason for the motto is during treatment I couldn't bear to think about planning ahead or planting a tree because I didn't think I'd be here to enjoy it.  I know that I need to act like I have 30 years in front of me.  But when something like this hits -- it just shake your world and you just want to stay still until the shaking stops.

Oh yes, and on the other side we moved my Dad into memory care almost two months ago.  First month was OK but now he's having problems keeping his hands off the other resident ladies and he's also showing aggression which has been absent throughout his dementia.  So we're working the facility to find the right meds to calm him and keep him away from female residents.

And my Mom finally got a valid offer on her house and the sale will close Oct 8th.  So we have to find a place for her to live, pack everything up, have a sale, and keep her sane.  Both parents are 83.  Luckily I have a wonderful brother who is very concerned about my health.  But that doesn't stop me from needing to help and, unfortunately, take part in the worry.

I could you some TLC from you ladies!

sewingnut

TM's can rise for various reasons. Inflammation is one of them. It doesnt always mean the cancer is back.  Take a breath. You have a lot on your plate right now....

everyminute

Hi there - a few things....

I wonder if the lymphedema flare up could be causing some of your TMs to rise.  hmmmm...?

Dad - my dad was on seraquel - it helped with aggression.  It has some other side effects that you will want to discuss with doctors and family but it made things much more bearable for a while. 

This cancer is some crazy making crap huh?  Sometimes I have to shake my head at what we (I) have been through.  Just nuts.  Amazing that we wake up and keep trying but we do and we do it well.  I never understood "fighter" and "survivor" when I was first diagnosed - but now I do - I fight to stay sane.  It is a war.  You do have to be strong and brave and keep on keepin on when you really dont want to some days.

Plant that tree, sweetie.  And decide that every day, month, year, decade that you wake up and see it is a GREAT day!

diana50

hang in there* it is hard but you can do it*

KerryMac

Ah, Christy, I am so sorry to hear about all this worry. It never ends, does it.



I echo what Mary says, the rising TM's could be from inflamation from the lymphedema. Hope so!



It is funny, when I was first dx and I saw people posting here who were a few years out, I felt sure that when I was that far out, the fear and worry would be gone. And I would feel safe. And it just sucks that it doesn't, that the fear will probably be with us forever. And the 'worst case scenerio' is the first thing we think of we get the slightest symptom. So really hope that this is nothing more than just needless worry for you.



Hang in there, and try not to get too far ahead of yourself. (yeah, I know, easier said than done) Let us know when your scans are.



And yeah, go buy that tree!

AnacortesGirl

Everyminute - I'm so glad you mentioned seroquel.  That's the drug that they started him on and my chemo brain couldn't remember it (why I didn't write it down, I just don't know -- I know that I can't remember these things anymore!).  I sure hope it works for him.

All - your words are helpful.  It's been a while since I've been in the "bad place".  But it is so helpful to come here and be reminded that there are many of us in the club (too many!!) and that I'm not alone.

Hubby and me are working around the house just trying to keep busy.  They still have called back with the scan schedules so it will probably be a long week. 

Bugs

Hugs Christy!  You have a lot on your plate, and rising TM's are not something that you want to add.  I agree that TM's can rise for many, many reasons other than the big bad C word.  Try not to borrow trouble (ugh, I know).  We are holding your hand through this and remember when you get the scans that we are there in the room with you, k?

Pure

Breathe...buy the tree..Your going to be ok:)!

clariceak

Sorry you're going through this added stress. It sounds like you have enough going on with parents who need your help and that darn lymphedema.  I'm glad you're getting help for the swelling.

Tumor markers can notoriously unreliable and I'm hoping that is the case for you.  Do you have to go Seattle for tests? 

As far the contrast scan, I recommend the berry shake over banana. Let us know when you have your scan schedule figured out.  We're all here for you.

Elizabeth1959

Christy

I am sorry you are going thru this.  I think going thru scans and awaiting the results is a form of torture.  My fingers are crossed that your scans will be negative.  I think breast cancer is a cruel disease because most people assume that 3 years out from treatment, you are out of the woods.  We know that is not the case.  I am on your side and will be waiting to hear from you.

Elizabeth

AnacortesGirl

Thanks Ladies.  I'm definitely calmer than yesterday morning when I heard "130".  I haven't heard back on the timing of the scans.  I am hoping that I can get them done this week.  It's early in the morning so maybe I'll be able to get a couple done today and have the results for my onc visit tomorrow.

I appreciate everyone in the waiting room.  Luckily (or unluckily? I'm not sure), they have really expanded the care in Anacortes so I'll be able to do all the testing here.  I'm so glad I don't have to add the stress of the drive to Seattle!

TectonicShift

Sending good karma westward from Massachusetts!

katyand4

I'm with TectonicShift...sending good karma from Mass. too!  

lkc

Hi Christy, just reading this and wanted to give you some gentle cyber hugs . I know hearing about TM rising is worrying you, but please keep in mind they are historically unreliable. They can go up as the other ladies said due to inflamatory processes ( ie lymphedema ). It's good youre going to have scans so you can be reassured everythings ok. ( I had them every year for 6 yrs! )

Anyway, you have lots going on w/ your arm and your elderly parents. I am sure you've got a fair amount of stress. and as we know stress triggers more inflammation.

Keep busy and when you get the all's caler, let us know so we can celebrate with you!

Gitane

Sending TLC, Christy.  I am right here, waiting to know any news.  I'm in that scanner, in that waiting room, by the phone.  We're here, Christy.  Hugs.  G.

AnacortesGirl

So I finally got the scans scheduled.  Next Tuesday they'll do all 3 and I follow up with the onc on Thursday.

In the meantime I'm going to get out the string and see about re-doing my garden for next spring.  A month ago the deer came through and ruined two more branches on the 3 year old mountain ash.  That was the last straw.  I decided to fire them as gardeners in the backyard so we're going to build a fence this winter.  That means I'll be able to have a vegetable garden in my own backyard instead of using the neighbor's.  The worse thing about the deer is that after browsing on all the plants they leave their fertilizer on the gravel path!

Thank you again for all your support.  I'm trying hard not to figure out why the TMs are high.  I'll wait until the scan results are back so I have more data to work with.  Cancer sucks!

sewingnut

I hear you about the deer.  My husband is ready to string a charged line like farmers use around our stuff.  Oh, by the way, we live in the city that has a deer problem. Where we moved from they are considered food. Here they are protected. Go figure!!

Glad you have your scan scedule set.

jennyboog

I'm so sorry Christy, I sure hope it's just the LE causing the TM's to rise or something else minor.  When it rains it pours, doesn't it   I just got finished taking care of my grandmother who had dementia (she died in July).  We had to use ativan, morphin and haldal...she had a high tolerance and you would think it would knock out a horse but no just kept her calm enough to work with her.  I understand you pain, it is so tough, we had to bring her to my house because the nursing home kicked her out due to they couldn't handle her.  I sure wish BC would make us immune to the other troubles of life but it doesn't, it sometimes just makes it more complicated.  Sending you hugs sweetie.

Karina121293

Christy, I am sorry you are going through this scare. That's why I hate TMs so much!!!! My CEA was elevated in January and I just could not face another test since and not sure if will ever do, whatever the consequences!!! Probably a silly thought, but can't help it. Though I also know it's possible I have that CLICK in mind in a second and go have them straight away. All I want to say I admire your courage, sister!!!! Stay distracted till next Tuesday and hopefully get the clear results quickly. I am sending you lots of positive thoughts from this side of the world and so wish you have good results. Don't want to sound selfish, but it will give our minds lots of peace too, just a reasurance that they can be elevated for benign reasons too!!! Thinking of you, praying for you and holding your hand....

Jenny, My condolences to you and your family for your Grandma. May she rest in peace!!! I hope she was in a ripe age and didn't suffer long. Hugs.

AnacortesGirl

Thanks again.  I actually feel pretty good today and will be able to get a few things done.  My headaches have just been this low level ache and the vicodin has been hit and miss for helping me.  But today the head feels much better.

Jenny - I'm so sorry about your grandmother and what you had to go through.  That is a scary thought -- that they won't be able to control my Dad's actions through meds.  This is a change for him.  Up to now he has been very docile which is a good thing since he's 6'4".  I'm going to see him today and he's been on meds for about 3 days so I'll see if there is a difference.  My fingers are crossed!

gillyone

(((Christy)))

lightandwind

hi Christy,

you were there for me over my relatively petty issue. Now I am here for you. Feel free to PM me anytime.

Kindergarten

Dear Christy! My CA 2829 and CEA were inthe abnormal range in July!! Retested in August And the came down, not totally in the normal range, but onc was satisfied enough, not to order scans for now!! She looks for trends!! One thing I did when I retested, 3 weeks before bloodwork, I quit taking anything over the counter, drank lots of wAter with lemon and modified my physical exercise!!! Someone else did this and tumor markers came down,so I tried it!! I have bloodwork again in 3 months! The crazy things we try!! But my onc also said these tests are very unreliable!!! I will be thinking of you and try not to worry!!!!

AnacortesGirl

Just had my barium berry smoothie.  Time to take a shower and then head off to the hospital for a full day.  One thing about hospitals in small towns -- it's amazing how many people you see that you know.  Can be a social event!

KerryMac

I'll be thinking of you! Hope it all goes well.

Karina121293

Good luck Christy!!! I am thinking of you. May all go well with good outcome.

clariceak

Nothing like a barium smoothie to start the day.  Hoping you get the "all clear" quickly.  We'll be thinking of you and hoping for the best.

MaxineO

Thinking of you Christy! I hope all goes well.

Gitane

You must be home by now, Christy.    Hope you had no glitches today, that you feel O.K. and can relax a bit.  Warm hugs, G.

Pure

Thinking of you Christy-hope all went well! blessings!

AnacortesGirl

Well the good news is that I only had 2 scans.  Turns out the MRI was a brain MRI but I already had that last week.  But I also tried to get a "tell" from the techs who did the CT and bone scan but I have no idea how they looked.  I can only hope that the onc walks in on Thursday with -  Mrs. Donley I have good news....