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by betsydoglover
Sun Oct 04, 2020 5:35 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Am I panicking for no reason? Slight rise in CEA levels
Replies: 13
Views: 3800

Re: Am I panicking for no reason? Slight rise in CEA levels

Both of those numbers are very low. My oncologist says they are taught to not worry about CEA numbers changing when they are still in normal range. For 15 years I've watched my CEA bounce between <0.5 and 1.1 - I doubt there is any issue with you CEA.

Take care,
by betsydoglover
Tue Sep 01, 2020 6:18 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: My first Avastin treatment.
Replies: 9
Views: 3464

Re: My first Avastin treatment.

I initially had Xeloda/oxaliplatin/Avastin. It seemed to me that the Xeloda and oxaliplatin were responsible for the side effects. Later I was on Avastin only for almost 2 years - no observable side effects other than nasal congestion.
by betsydoglover
Fri Jul 17, 2020 1:29 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: First bad scan
Replies: 15
Views: 3885

Re: First bad scan

Everyone says to go to a major cancer center and I get that. I live in DC area and most local oncs are well connected with such centers if needed. I hope the tumor board is not in control of your treatment. When my lung thing first appeared (very subtle on PET), my once suggested a few thoracic surg...
by betsydoglover
Mon Jul 06, 2020 2:08 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Girlfriend wants to come to appointments
Replies: 13
Views: 3184

Re: Girlfriend wants to come to appointments

We are all different. I never wanted or had a "care giver". I am interested in and understand medical stuff. Other than the first onc appt, I never had my husband come with me. Not that he's bad, but he doesn't "do medical" and I wanted to handle this on my own. And, just me, I p...
by betsydoglover
Thu Dec 26, 2019 2:57 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Two days prep
Replies: 12
Views: 2987

Re: Two days prep

The easiest I have ever had..... What my GI doc has me do is the following: Day 1 you can eat a low residue breakfast and even a light low residue lunch - no hunger headaches! 2 Dulcolax tabs around 3PM on first day Early evening drink 1 qt of Golytely (NOT half of the jug) In the AM 4 hr prior to t...
by betsydoglover
Mon Oct 28, 2019 4:14 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: More chemo after a solitary lung met?
Replies: 13
Views: 2369

Re: More chemo after a solitary lung met?

I had a solitary lung met removed via VATS in 2009. I decided to do Xeloda and Avastin. I decided that if I had a recurrence and hadn't done some chemo to stave it off, then I couldn't live with myself. It's a personal decision, but I'm glad I made the decision I did, My 2 cents.

Take care,
by betsydoglover
Thu Aug 15, 2019 1:23 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Newly diagnosed
Replies: 10
Views: 1958

Re: Newly diagnosed

Sorry you have to be here. Given that the omentum spot is a met, have you asked your onc why Avastin is not being added to your regimen? Definitely something to ask.
by betsydoglover
Tue Aug 13, 2019 4:37 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: cat vs mri vs pet scan
Replies: 6
Views: 1517

Re: cat vs mri vs pet scan

Wow - a good radiologist should be well able to read a PET only. I did that for a while. Plenty of radiologists who specialize in advanced imaging - find one of those.

If it is the onc's opinion about these scans, then don't listen to it. If the radiologist's, then find another one.
by betsydoglover
Sun Aug 04, 2019 4:24 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: How often should a colonoscopy be done?
Replies: 2
Views: 956

Re: How often should a colonoscopy be done?

It depends on your situation. Do you have colon cancer? If so, then with no polyps 5 years would be a likely recommendation from your GI doc. If no colon cancer then 10 years is typical. When there are one or more polyps found on scope, then 3 years is not unusual.

Take care,
by betsydoglover
Sat Jul 27, 2019 7:13 am
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Opinions on alternative treatments?
Replies: 44
Views: 10571

Re: Opinions on alternative treatments?

I meant to also add that doxycycline is one of the few drugs that actually becomes toxic rather than just ineffective past it's expiration date - can damage kidneys, so that's also a good thing to know if you take it.
by betsydoglover
Sat Jul 27, 2019 7:04 am
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Opinions on alternative treatments?
Replies: 44
Views: 10571

Re: Opinions on alternative treatments?

Hi Tina - Based on my personal experience as a 14+ year Stage 4 survivor, I would be very suspicious of the value of this 4-drug addition to your conventional treatment. I looked at their website, and I am always skeptical when I see a treatment that can apply to all cancers. Metformin, for example,...
by betsydoglover
Sat Jun 15, 2019 6:37 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Things I should know about Avastin
Replies: 13
Views: 2009

Re: Things I should know about Avastin

Not sure where you heard that Avastin was worse. I've been on Avastin twice - once just 6 treatments and then another time for 2 years. It definitely did not seem like I was getting chemo - popped in the chair, 30 min infusion and then off to work. Side effects - nasal congestion after several round...
by betsydoglover
Mon May 06, 2019 6:12 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Immunotherapy in Switzerland
Replies: 43
Views: 8863

Re: Immunotherapy in Switzerland

There is absolutely no clinical trial data to support their claims - even if there was, only 100 patients (according to them) were evaluated. It would be great if their treatment results were true, but it sounds like a scam to me.
by betsydoglover
Mon May 06, 2019 9:32 am
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Neuropathy improvement: individual experience
Replies: 32
Views: 7268

Re: Neuropathy improvement: individual experience

It's not always that bad. I had 6 infusions (the every 3 weeks amount) in my arm. I stopped the week after Thanksgiving and my finger tips, as well as the cold sensitivity, cleared up almost immediately. The tingling in my feet (which was never terrible) ended within a few weeks. However, that winte...
by betsydoglover
Wed Apr 17, 2019 4:44 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Anyone Managing Stage IV with Avastin Only?
Replies: 17
Views: 3018

Re: Anyone Managing Stage IV with Avastin Only?

I really do not want to sound like an Avastin advocate - no axe to grind - other than my survival. Obviously there are no truths to be found in individual experiences - but this board is pretty much about individual experiences. Pyro70 referenced an interesting trial comparing Avastin only to monito...

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