Hi there.
My husband was diagnosed with stage III 5 years ago last July. He did 6 chemo treatments and I cannot remember the names of the medications now. He has been in smooth sailing and had his appointment on Friday to follow up. They told him everything looked good.
Monday we get a call that his CEA is elevated to 16.5. Upon further questioning, it was at 8 six months ago.
Here is why I am bothered - The day prior to his surgery and two months prior to treatment, his CEA was at 4. During the course of the past 5 years he was varying between 2 and 4. So this is a pretty significant increase in my mind. I am frustrated that six months ago they did not say... "Oh I wonder why this sudden spike?" and have him follow up accordingly. What's done is done and we cannot go change it.
Our insurance will not allow a PET scan, so next week he is getting a CT chest, abd, and pelvis with contrast.
I remember the talk a long time ago and they said a 50% chance of recurrence and because he was Stage III, a recurrence wouldn't be good....
Thoughts? Comments? Experiences?
Thanks