Today I had my bi-weekly blood tests done. The CEA today is 1.3. That's down a tic from 1.4 two weeks ago. Which was up a tic from 1.3 two weeks before that. Which was down from 1.5 two weeks before that. So, maybe I'll just stay in this small range and bounce up and down. I guess I'm happy with that as long as my scans stay clear. Of course, I'd love to see it drop below 1.0. Will I be happy then? Well, it's all relative. Just like those "5 more pounds" I will then look for it to drop to, maybe, 0.5. Let's see what happens if and when I get to 1.0.
My oncologist told me that we will just keep doing what we are doing pretty much indefinitely. Maybe if my CEA drops and stays down and my scans are clear for 6 months then perhaps he may consider lengthening the time between infusions. However, though it is a minor inconvenience (especially when we are kept waiting in the waiting room for an hour), I don't mind the treatment I'm getting now as there are no side effects that I notice.
He will order a PET scan after my 12th infusion (it's after every fourth infusion) which means I'll get my next scan the week of January 2nd, most likely.
Well....I must say this all sounds like a miracle compared to what might have been without the medical interventions. If this type of treatment etc keep you in this curret state I would say you won a major life battle...thank goodness for your doctors and their knowledge...such good news my beautiful daughter, hugs for you and David and the furry kids. {^..^} (I will be getting my lung x-ray the same week you will be getting your PET scan, hoping we both will have good results)
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