Lastest lab work worries -Update not the news I wanted

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raym
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Lastest lab work worries -Update not the news I wanted

Postby raym » Tue Oct 21, 2014 8:38 am

If it's not one thing it's another in my medical life. I had an appointment with my oncologist last week, routine, look at scan results, lab work etc. It was not a good day at the hospital as they had just upgraded to a new computer system and they told me I would be seeing the PA, which set me off as for 3+ years I had only seen her once and was more comfortable with someone who knew me and my issues. But my oncologist did come in and he was rushed but said my liver numbers were off, bilirubin was up and actually I was slightly jaundiced. It was a bit of a whirlwind appointment as I think he was frustrated with the new system.

I'm also dealing with recovering from an infection and being followed by a different oncologist (from my now stopped clinical trial) so I had lab tests 2 weeks earlier that had no issues. My blood bilirubin had been very low. I have been on IV antibiotics (carbapenam based) for 4 weeks so it's possible that they have affected my liver but of course with cancer who knows if that is having an impact. I guess it's also possible the clinical trial drugs had an impact, but I doubt that as it had been several weeks since I stopped. I also have had a CT scan two weeks prior to this appointment and nothing was mentioned (at least significantly) with liver issues though there are some concerns in that area with small changes. So between the frustrating atmosphere and lab results I left that appointment feeling really discouraged and down. Nothing much to do but ride it out and see where things go. More lab work next week with a follow up.

It just seems that I get one issue addressed and one or more pop-up! My oncologist also wants to discuss where we are going from here. As I have written before i really don't want to continue with chemo. It's not a cure (for me) and I really get affected by it. Though if liver is still wonky trying Irinotecan would not be an option anyway.

I am feeling better since that appointment, went out last Friday evening to a costume party at a local club; hit the local renaissance fair (Maryland) on Sunday with wife, daughter and another couple..so had some fun. I said to my wife that evening after the fair, it was nice to not think about my medical issues for much of the day :)
Last edited by raym on Wed Oct 22, 2014 9:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
3/11 IIIC +/FOLFOX
4/12 HIPEC
6/12 Chmo/Rad
9/12 XELIRI+Avast/Zltra
9/13 Plvic Absc,stpd chemo
11/13 Tumr rmvd frm Lap Port incis
12/13 Xeloda
1/14 Cardiac Issue no Xeloda/5FU
3/14 Irinotecan
6/14 Stopped chemo
8/14 Clin Trial
9/14 Infectn - Stpd Trial

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singingholly
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Location: Northern Italy

Re: Lastest lab work worries

Postby singingholly » Tue Oct 21, 2014 9:38 am

Hang in dear friend... I really wish this is a transitory issue. Let us know as soon as possible.
A big hug.
Olivia
Dec2011 sigm IIIst res T3N1(2/18)M0 Xelox
Oct2012 5liv.mets Dec 2012 liv.res
Jan2013 1liv.met Folfiri+avastin
Jul2013 liv.res Folfiri+/av
Feb2014 10+2lu.mets & 1abd node Folfoxiri+SBRT
Sep2014 Res rx l. BUT spot on diaph:SBRT
Dec2014 3+6lu.mets.Immuno

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mstults
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Re: Lastest lab work worries

Postby mstults » Tue Oct 21, 2014 9:46 am

It's so hard to get used to ups and downs.
Male Age 53. Dx CC with numerous liver mets 6/23/12. Colon res 6/24/12. Started folfox 7/24/12. Added avastin 8/27/12. CT 12/27/12 still showing shrink. Took 17 rounds of FOLFOX. Then 5-FU + Avastin. Switched to Irinotecan for 1 yr. CEA rose to >400. Switched to Vectibix 2/18/15. CEA decreasing. Scans show some growth in liver mets. Lung Mets stable to shrinking.

https://www.facebook.com/michael.stults2/about?ref=home_edit_profile&section=work

skypup
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Re: Lastest lab work worries

Postby skypup » Tue Oct 21, 2014 10:12 am

Thank you for the update, Ray. I was wondering how you are doing. Very frustrating on the medical care front, see the link to the Atlantic Monthly article I just posted.

Good for you for doing fun things. That is, really, our best one-finger salute to cancer.

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dianetavegia
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Re: Lastest lab work worries

Postby dianetavegia » Tue Oct 21, 2014 10:37 am

Most carbapenems have been reported to cause transient, mild-to-moderate, and asymptomatic increases in serum aminotransferase levels that rapidly resolve once therapy is stopped. In addition, there have been rare reports of cholestatic liver injury arising during or shortly after carbapenem therapy often in patients with multiple other medical problems and other causes for liver disease.


Looks like that might be the cause. Hope things clear up quickly. Everything else sounds good. I'm so glad you had such fun!! :D
Stage III cc surgery 1/7/09. 12 tx FOLFOX
Stage IV PET = 1.5cm liver met. HR 4/11/12

14 years since dx and 11 years post liver resection.
Pronounced CURED and discharged by onc

“O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me.” Psalms 30:2

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raym
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Re: Lastest lab work worries

Postby raym » Tue Oct 21, 2014 10:55 am

Skypup wrote:Thank you for the update, Ray. I was wondering how you are doing. Very frustrating on the medical care front, see the link to the Atlantic Monthly article I just posted.

Good for you for doing fun things. That is, really, our best one-finger salute to cancer.


Good article :) My doc is usually not like that but he had just returned from vacation that week, so probably catching up as well as dealing with the new hospital system (my labs did not come over as they should have; he had issues loading my CT scan, etc).
3/11 IIIC +/FOLFOX
4/12 HIPEC
6/12 Chmo/Rad
9/12 XELIRI+Avast/Zltra
9/13 Plvic Absc,stpd chemo
11/13 Tumr rmvd frm Lap Port incis
12/13 Xeloda
1/14 Cardiac Issue no Xeloda/5FU
3/14 Irinotecan
6/14 Stopped chemo
8/14 Clin Trial
9/14 Infectn - Stpd Trial

Stanfordmom
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Re: Lastest lab work worries

Postby Stanfordmom » Tue Oct 21, 2014 2:10 pm

Sorry about your difficult time now. Hope issues will resolve soon!
DX 4/2/2014 at 44, stage 4, mets liver and ovaries
Mom to 2 boys
Three surgeries, HAI pump and lots of chemo
fighting!

Val*pal
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Re: Lastest lab work worries

Postby Val*pal » Tue Oct 21, 2014 2:28 pm

I'm glad you were able to take life by its tail and have fun this weekend. It's the only right thing to do!

I can sympathize with your doctor's frustration with the new computer system. About a year ago I accompanied my husband for an infusion. Since we had a really early morning appointment, we were optimistic we'd get out around 2 p.m. Wrong. As usual. It turns out that was the day the pharmacy went to a whole new computer system. :shock: What should have taken 30 minutes to get, took 2-3 hours. And then, of course, there were other, ongoing delays all indirectly tied into the pharmacy's system. What a day! At least we could just sort of go into zen mode and accept the situation, the nurses were ready to tear their hair out. :wink:

I hope that your liver readings are just a glitch from either the antibiotic or the drug in the trial. I know how caught up one gets in the bloodwork readings.
DH dx'ed May '11, age 62
Jul '11: resection Stage IV
10/11: 6 mo Folfox
8/12:thyr canc, surg/tx
2/13: peri mets
2/13: Firi/Avas
6/13: Ok
8/13: break
10/13: Lung, peri, mets
10/13: Firi/Erb
1/14: Erb Fail; spread
5/14: Tx stopped
6/20/14: At rest

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BrownBagger
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Re: Lastest lab work worries

Postby BrownBagger » Tue Oct 21, 2014 3:42 pm

Your night out sounds like fun, Ray. Keep enjoying those normal life experiences. They're what keep us grounded amidst all the insanity.
Eric, 58
Dx: 3/09, Stage 4 RC
Recurrences: (ongoing, lung, bronchial cavity, ribs)
Major Ops: 6/ RFA: 3 /bronchoscopies: 8
Pelvic radiation: 5 wks. Bronchial radiation—brachytheray: 3 treatments
Chemo Rounds (career):136
Current Chemo Cocktail: Xeloda & Erbitux & Irinotecan biweekly
Current Cocktail; On the Wagon (mostly)
Bicycle miles post-dx 10,477
Motto: Live your life like it's going to be a long one, because it just might, and then you'll be glad you did.

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elise
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Location: Ontario (Canada)

Re: Lastest lab work worries

Postby elise » Tue Oct 21, 2014 4:36 pm

I swear this is all a test for something!

Keep your chin up and plow thru.

Elise
2012
Feb - Stage 2 (T3 N0 M0) CC @ 30
Mar - R hemicolectomy, 18 LN
May-Nov 6 - Chemo (8 Xeloda)
2013
Feb - NED
2014
Feb - NED
May - Stage 4 - 1 liver met @ 32
Jun - Liver resection
Oct - CLEAN SCAN
Aug-Jan - FOLFOX 5 rounds, 5FU X 6
2015
Ap, Oct - NED
2016
Mar - NED

pfCml73183
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Facebook Username: Celeste Marie Comeau
Location: FL

Re: Lastest lab work worries

Postby pfCml73183 » Tue Oct 21, 2014 11:33 pm

Ray, I feel your frustration! My hubby is on the same roller coaster.
It is hard to get away from it. I am so glad you did get out with your family.
That shows cancer who is boss!!!
Wife and BF to Peter, 54
mCRC/IV/BRAF+
Erbitux and Urelumab trial @MSKCC 3/15
went home 5/8/15

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Rob in PA
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Location: Pennsylvania

Re: Lastest lab work worries

Postby Rob in PA » Wed Oct 22, 2014 12:56 am

Keep on trucking ray. Hopefully the trial drug is the reason for your numbers being out of whack. Chemo is off the table for me as well, so I understand your feelings towards it.

Glad you had a nice time in Maryland.

Rob
dx 11/07 crc IIIb @ 39
Xelox/Rad/ temp colostomy
LAR/J-pouch/ temp ileo
Folfox-8
Failed reversal
2/09 liver mets; liver resect/ileo reversal
Folfiri/Avastin - 12
2/11 5 lung mets
Folfiri/Avastin 2011
SBRT 3/12
Lung met 5/13/ said NO to more chemo
SBRT 8/13
2 lung mets 5/14, VATS 8/14, NED

nick49
Posts: 89
Joined: Sat Jul 19, 2014 9:18 am
Location: UK

Re: Lastest lab work worries

Postby nick49 » Wed Oct 22, 2014 9:58 am

Keep going...you are an inspiration to many of us!

Best Regards
Nick
Diagnosed Stage IV Colon Cancer Aug 2013
Metastatic adenocarcinoma of ascending colon.
Distant Lymph Nodes
49. Male.
Chemo - August 2013 for 10 cycles.
Kras Mutation.
July 2014 - Started Zaltrap/Folfiri - 8 cycles completed.
http://www.nickjparry.co.uk

pfCml73183
Posts: 653
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Facebook Username: Celeste Marie Comeau
Location: FL

Re: Lastest lab work worries

Postby pfCml73183 » Wed Oct 22, 2014 10:11 am

I agree with Nick.
Please, "keep going".
You are an inspiration.
We'll said, Nick.
Wife and BF to Peter, 54
mCRC/IV/BRAF+
Erbitux and Urelumab trial @MSKCC 3/15
went home 5/8/15

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raym
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Location: South Central PA

re: Lastest lab work worries -Update not the news I wanted

Postby raym » Wed Oct 22, 2014 9:18 pm

So the new I got today was not good. An enlarged lymph node is pressing on a bile duct and I need to have a stent placed to relieve that. I guess in some way my liver is still not impacted directly by cancer, but I am concerned about the long term in dealing with the lymph node. I was in the car when the doctor called me with the news so I didn't really have a chance to ask many questions as well as being a bit overwhelmed by the information. For now first step is to deal with the blockage.
3/11 IIIC +/FOLFOX
4/12 HIPEC
6/12 Chmo/Rad
9/12 XELIRI+Avast/Zltra
9/13 Plvic Absc,stpd chemo
11/13 Tumr rmvd frm Lap Port incis
12/13 Xeloda
1/14 Cardiac Issue no Xeloda/5FU
3/14 Irinotecan
6/14 Stopped chemo
8/14 Clin Trial
9/14 Infectn - Stpd Trial


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