I am getting worried!

Options
Ka-Loni
Ka-Loni Member Posts: 431
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

Hello Ladies, I went last Wednesday for more Bloodwork. It was time. And, the nurse called me back on Friday. She said, that my tumor markers are a little above the normal. Sometimes there is a descrepancy in levels. To be on the safe side she put me in for more Bloodwork for December 10. Oh, I am getting a little worried. It may be nothing, but wonder if my cancer has come back? How do I handle this? And, if it comes back what are my chances of survival of this horrible disease?

God Bless,

KaloniFrown 

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2007

    Kaloni....ONE STEP AT A TIME...That's how you handle TODAY. My oncs don't bother taking tumor markers at all because they say that they're often all over the place for no reason at all...and they are at a major university hospital with much renown in the oncology field.

    The fear you describe is known to each of us here, in one degree or another, and probably never goes away entirely. The only way to move on and begin to live a happy life is to find a way to compartmentalize that fear, to hold it at a distance, recognizing its presence but negating its ability to interfere or especially to paralyze us. It's not easy at all, but it's necessary.

    Set some goals, find your mission....and move. Don't let the fear win. It's trying to, but you CAN be stronger! And just keep posting....we're here for you.

    ~Marin

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ka-Loni
    Ka-Loni Member Posts: 431
    edited October 2007

    Hi Marin, Your the sweetest. Boy, you sound so positive about all this. You know, I do take one day at a time, but, I am getting a little worried. Knowing that this stuff can come back again. I guess, I need to keep my positiveness as much as possible and hope for the best.

    God Bless You,

    KaloniWink

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nowheregirl
    nowheregirl Member Posts: 894
    edited October 2007

    Hi Kaloni,

    I am sorry you're worried. But just remember, you are much stronger than you may think you are. You have gone through chemo, surgery and lost your breast so you have every reason to throw a pity party for yourself. But you always come here solely to offer support and help those who are newly diagnosed. I don't mean to tell you that you have to be strong all the time. You can come and vent way anytime you want. We are all here for you. I just wanted you to remember how much positivity you have injected into our lives and I so appreciate it. Sending a lot of good karma your way.

    Hugs,

    Fumi

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NoH8
    NoH8 Member Posts: 2,726
    edited October 2007

    I'm in the same boat with my tumor markers. I go back for more bloodwork next week and if they're up again I need to get a pet scan. I don't "feel" like my cancer is back. I just think I would "know" in my body or head if it was. This is my 2nd recurrence scare, so I'm really nervous like I was the first time, which happened just after chemo when I lit up on the pet scan and my markers were up (it was a false alarm) though I did get my thymus removed just to be sure.

    I was dx in 01. The anxiety does get a lot easier. I didn't even feel the need to start a thread about it, because I really think I'm ok and if I'm not I'll deal with it then. I'm no worse or better off for not worrying. After that first time I realized how much time and energy I spent freaking out and I decided I wasn't gonna do that any more. I just tell myself, "pink, worrying isn't going to make this easier for you. worrying won't change the results of any test. worrying won't make the time pass any quicker, in fact, it'll probably make it seem longer. worrying won't make you happy. you can  keep on enjoying life, or you can worry but it's hard to do both." and that motivates me. Keep us posted on how it goes.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Fireweed
    Fireweed Member Posts: 189
    edited October 2007

    None of the national organizations recommend tumor markers for routine follow-up. They aren't very useful, and too many people have your scary experience!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LuAnnH
    LuAnnH Member Posts: 8,847
    edited October 2007

    Kaloni,

    Don't let the tumor markers bend you too far out of shape.  I have mets and tumor markers don't always play a role in what is going on with your cancer.  This is nothing more than a tool onc can use to determine if more tests are warranted.  Alot of onc don't even run these tests due to their inaccuracy.  My first onc wouldn't even consider running them while my current onc does.  Some women have had them elevate and absolutely nothing is wrong cancer wise.  These numbers can flucuate even though you don't have mets.

    Look at it this way, I have mets now and my CA15-3 & CA 27-25 are 17 & 20.  Those numbers are within normal limits.  Just goes to show those numbers don't necessarily mean anything.  Let them run the extra tests and feel good knowing your onc is on the ball!

    I'll keep my fingers crossed that everything turns out to be ok for you when you see the onc.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited October 2007

    Tumor markers are an incredibly unreliable test. My original onc did them (and told me he wouldn't be concerned unless they were highly elevated). My current onc doesn't do them. Anything can set them off -- an infection, alcohol, something you ate. Try not to worry.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2007

    I'll just ditto what everyone else said. 

    Hang in there.

    Shirley

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited October 2007

    My onc is chair of the Vandy dept of onc and doesn't do them either, doesn't believe in doing them for bc.  Besides, I had them drawn on the day of diagnosis and they were NORMAL!

    Almost anything can throw them off.  Don't let this get to you. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Fitztwins
    Fitztwins Member Posts: 7,969
    edited October 2007

    My onc doesn't do tumor markers either. He saids it can send you on a while goose chase for nothing. Hope it is nothing.

    Janis

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories