My ex was dx with rectal cancer in 2005. We were never properly staged so they called it Stage II post radiation. He had a 5cm mass covering 75% of rectal area, had 6 weeks of chemo and radation which shrunk that tumor to nothing. He had it removed laproscopically and a temp bag which has now been reversed. CEA never went over 2.5.
I left him in June of 2006 because he chose to continue drinking, smoking and not taking care of himself so I left. I do not get to go to his appointments anymore, but we do speak and he is not a proactive patient. His CEA is up to 4.7. His bag was reversed since that time he has had non stop cramping and diarerrah (sp). he is loosing weight because he cannot keep food down. He sees his surgeon often getting constant scans, which show nothing. He also has been taking morphine 180 mg and loratabs every 4 hours for almost 2 years. I am worried about a reaccurance, no one will give him a PET. It is has been about 6 months since he last had one, But he has had CTs and Colonoscopies. What do you think. I would feel so much better if I was involved but I just cannot always take care of someone who will not try to care for themselves.