CA27-29 Just putting it out there.

Options
cb123
cb123 Member Posts: 320
edited July 2016 in Stage III Breast Cancer

How scary is 189 when <37 is the norm? That was my tumor marker score two weeks after bi-lateral mastectomy. 90 days later I was saddened to find it was still a really high 121.

Then I charted it and I feel a little better. That's a pretty significant drop. I'm looking forward to another significant drop and am anxiously awaiting some form of stabilization somewhere on the chart.

I'm Grade 3 so I know it will stay high, but that's a pretty decent (hopeful) drop there.

Here's a link if you want to chart your own: Create a chart

If anyone wants to share, feel free. I know these scores are all over the place for everyone. I'm a visual learner, I like to see things.

image

Have a peaceful day,

cb



· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • muska
    muska Member Posts: 1,195
    edited July 2016

    My MO doesn't do any tumor markers soon after surgery or while the patient is undergoing chemo or radiation. But the chart looks great.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cive
    cive Member Posts: 709
    edited July 2016

    My MO charts them for me and posts them on their portal. I can either read a list or chart them. I really like MO having portal where not only can I see a chart of my CA27-29, but also results of blood tests and radiography and the summary from our visits.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cb123
    cb123 Member Posts: 320
    edited July 2016

    Cive,

    That's great! Several of my physicians use the portal method, so does the hospital. Too many logins & passwords for me but more than anything else, I prefer my privacy and to not have my medical info available online.

    cb



    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RonnieKay
    RonnieKay Member Posts: 2,067
    edited July 2016

    Hi there...I got snagged by your topic! I hang out on the stage 4 boards, sadly :-( I'm a gal whose TMs tell a clear pic of what's going on in my body (3 diagnoses), not everyone's does. Long story short...TMs can fluctuate...my onc calls it zigzagging. I had TMs w/full blood panel each infusion (for 22 months) as stage 4 & watched each month as they headed downward, sometimes drastic, sometimes slowly. It's funny now, being stable, and having full bloodworm every 6 weeks, they are up one time, down the next, so it's obvious there's fluctuation. Amazingly, they're always in the low normal range! I apologize if you already know all this...it's over the last 7 years (3.5 as stage 4) that I've gotten a little obsessed with understanding them...because they are so faithful in my case. You did see a significant drop...and that's awesome! I don't know that you should expect them to remain high as Grade 3...I was grade 3 w/stage 2 and they were normal. TMs are one of the tools....scans & your physical well-being round it out. I wish you full healing & joy!!!! I, too, have lived a wonderful life...your words made me smile!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cb123
    cb123 Member Posts: 320
    edited July 2016

    Ronnie,

    Thank you so much for your well wishes and I wish you healing and joy as well.

    I hang out on the stage 4 boards too. I feel I'm just a kiss away from IV and closer there than here.

    So many things can affect a TM count. Surgery, chemo, infection, any little thing that gets those anti-bodies moving. I liken it to my temperature rising and falling with any little thing that gets those anti-bodies moving and I'm looking forward it falling into some kind of stability once the initial shock of surgery and medication wears off. I always seems so healthy and strong, it amazes me that I'm not bouncing back quicker in this area.

    cb




    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories