Hello

Hi Safin

Welcome to the forum .

Unfortunately scan results can take a bit longer depending on where you live . But sometimes you can phone up the specialist nurse and see if they can access them for you. Some seem to get this service . We used to be able to get them through the GP but my mum was a bit of a veteran by that stage and I don’t think they would have done it earlier on in the process .

You could email his oncologist secretary and ask when they will be through .

That is a very impressive reduction in his CEA . What a result . Holding out for some good news for him.

Take care ,

Court 

Had our meeting with the oncologist, it seems  from the MRI that the brain tumour has shrunk and from the CT scan the lesions on his liver have also shrunk.

Blood markers down from 19 to 17.

He said that the effectiveness of the chemo would start to slowdown now but he was pleased with the initial response.

My husband asked if they would now consider surgery to remove the tumour and the oncologist said he would consider this if after the next set of scans in 3 months, the MRI showed scar tissue rather than tumour in his brain.

I feel like we never get a straight answer!

Hi, 

Sorry for this s situation your husband and you are in. I know what you mean tho I’ve been diagnosed with recurrent bowel cancer after being clear for 10 years stage 4 inoperable and not curable shocked is an understatement . And not really got a treatment plan in place. Have saw two consultants and both said different things. 

Hang on in there- a good friend said to me to think of it as ' living with cancer' . And many many people live for a long time with it.

There will be a treatment plan. 

Just started round 9. No oncologist to talk to but the nurse said the blood markers have gone up but this is nothing to worry about.

Having had 8 rounds of chemo with the markers down each time, we are a bit worried they have now suddenly gone up.

Is this normal or should we be worried?

Any advice for us?

Thanks 

Safin 

My mum’s used to do that too ! Really sends  you into a spin but apparently the actual treatment can cause them to increase . It happens every time she goes onto chemo . 
They can become less reliable during treatment but they rely more on the scan evidence .

How are you getting along ?

Court 

Thanks for responding, we understand we can't see the oncologist every time we do understand we aren't the only ones going through this and so are trying to stay positive through round 9.

Whilst the chemo is hard on his body, mentally he is so much better than he was in July and August. I feel like we are back in this together rather than me having to think for both of us. 

Our world has shrunk to our four walls and trips to hospital whilst it's gone so cold but hopefully this too will get better.

Never having anyone close who has been on this journey, we are learning so much.

Hi Safin!

Yes your world does shrink to your 4 wall and hospitals. I can verify that. My husband is going through bowel cancer treatment. He's had a spread to his pelvis, and we are now waiting if he will be fit enough to go back on a different form of chemo. Last one didn't work apparently. He took ill on his 4th cycle of CAPOX so it was stopped. Hoping they're getting another treatment together for him. Take care.

Vicky x

Sorry to hear it's gone to his pelvis. Every meeting takes you through such a rollercoaster of emotion, hopi ng for good news then having to dig a bit deeper to take on board what you are told!

There does seem to be a good number of choices for treatment so hoping they find a better one for your husband.