One of my cancer pals was recently told that she had arthritis. By the way, was your CEA level a good marker for you? If so you could ask for it to be checked.
jmaire, My R hip mets showed up on the MRI (of my lower spine, pelvis, and R hip) and not the bone scan. The MRI apparently can show growth in a more specific way. The whole body bone scan did not light up in the R hip area. The onc thought this was due to the mets in the R hip not being very advanc...
I want to share my bone mets experience with others. I developed severe pain in my R hip over a winter break vacation. I could not walk without extreme pain. Began use of a wheel chair. I began a prescription pain management plan. My legs had generally been aching all fall such that I was taking ext...
Jessica, I too have 20 small nodules in my lungs, two as big as two cm, the rest less than 1 cm. I do not want to take a break from chemo for a radiation intervention. I understand that some require that such as the one with the cath inserted through your groin. I have a 1 cm tumor in my liver, and ...
Kimby, I have been following your progress for a long while. I am glad to see you are getting out. I too recently asked for a wheel chair for outings. It lets me attend events and trips to musuems with the hubbie and kiddos. It makes me too very happy to prepare them meals. I quit working in early D...
Ellen, We share the same name and are about the same age. Our kiddos are slightly older (9 and 11). I too am not geting much help from chemo since about September. I was able to take erbitux. I have had all the possible combinations, yet my lung mets continue to slightly grow, new met to liver, and ...
Carrieann, I also have serious hip pain and my counts are not cooperating much. The nurses told me that our largest bones are in the pelvis and legs. Bone marrow is where our blood cells are apparently re-made. I am taking tylenol for the pain. I am also stiff and sill quite numb. I try swimming and...
Ashlee, Glad that you are able to have the liver resected. I had my liver tumor (9cc on the R side and a small on the L) resected with clean margins. I have felt that really bought me some great time. The recovery was not horrible. 6 days of pain meds tops after discharge. I had a spinal pain manage...
Yes. I got it two week ago thru my County Health Department. I am very relieved as the flu is widespread in my children's school. I have had to not participate due to concerns of germs.
Katherine, I too have had problems with dizziness. I was encouraged to replace electrolytes with lots of gaterade every day. SInce doing that, my dizziness problems have gone away. I also am sure to eat a banana and if I want a V8 drink. I get the gaterade single serve powder packets that can be car...
My oncologist will treat me at 70 or above. I have been sent away for 53 and 64. My doses of 5FU and oxciliplatin were lowered to hopefully keep the plateletes at least at 70 or above. I received the Cetuximab (Erbitux) on the weeks I was not able to get the chemo drugs.
If you live in a major city, the American Cancer Society should have an office. When I lost my hair, I went there for scarves and hats. They had lots. They offered a wig for free. I would suggest donating to them. Your local cancer center also likely accepts donations of such items. My treatment cen...
Please understand that you NEED a colonoscopy. A CT scan can not see inside your colon. A digital rectal exam can also only feel for tumors. Your doctor can also draw blood work to look at any possibility that you may have tumor growth. It is called a CEA level. That level is not helpful for all peo...
I don't keep track of how many. I focus on pleasant activities, fun things to do with family and friends. I will say I have had chemo treatments since August of 2007 only with a break for surgery in February of 2008 and a 5 week break in early '09. I seem to be holding up OK. My blood counts only st...