Swirdfish wrote: ...Is there anything else any of you would also push for to keep this nasty beast at bay?
About Healthy Living and Cancer
Get an introduction on healthy living during and after cancer treatment, including information on eating better, exercising more, and managing stress.
http://www.cancer.net/survivorship/healthy-living
CRguy wrote:Hey Fish
I am kind of back at the same point you are getting to.
I am not scheduled for any CTs ( I always had Chest-Abdomen-Pelvis numerous times as Stage IV ) because I am back with my family doctor and outta' the big center.
The plan we have concocted, which may shed some light for your situation, Summary :
( and you can read all the details in the signature link to my ongoing update topic )
chest and abdominal xrays ( multiple views ) and abdominal / liver ultrasound
continued general blood tests including CEA ( not a marker for me ) CA19-9, LDH, liver enzymes and whatever she thinks needs checking
OR I ask her for.
(( I have a VERY good doctor who is always supportive of my plans to be aggressive in follow up ))
Now you are not Stage IV = good for you !
BUTT I think your best chance of staying ahead of the game is to be proactive and push your docs for suitable imaging / monitoring.
I would think your docs should be on board with increased monitoring for the first 3 years at least.
If not ... find another doctor JMO.
BTDT and that is what I DID !
after my lung met was first missed on CT .... I did xrays / ultrasounds / CAP CT scans and found a new family doctor and new Onc.
My philosophy is very simple --->>> My life = MY DECISION !!!!
Best wishes
CRguy
JJH wrote:Swirdfish wrote: ...Is there anything else any of you would also push for to keep this nasty beast at bay?
In the first 2 years post-treatment, I would push for an emphasis on healthy living, in particular the three pillars of survivorship: (1) exercise, (2) diet, and (3) stress reduction. These are the main tools for keeping cancer at bay, i.e., on prevention of further cancer.When you focus on scans, x-rays, tumor markers, etc., you are not focusing on wellness. You are focusing on illness and disease. What you want to do, instead, is to put your main emphasis on setting up and maintaining the healthiest living plan you can come up with so that you minimize your chances of ever having another cancer
About Healthy Living and Cancer
Get an introduction on healthy living during and after cancer treatment, including information on eating better, exercising more, and managing stress.
http://www.cancer.net/survivorship/healthy-living
There are several websites that outline various plans for this, and they are usually found under the rubric "survivorship".
JJH wrote:Swirdfish wrote: ...Is there anything else any of you would also push for to keep this nasty beast at bay?
In the first 2 years post-treatment, I would push for an emphasis on healthy living, in particular the three pillars of survivorship: (1) exercise, (2) diet, and (3) stress reduction. These are the main tools for keeping cancer at bay, i.e., on prevention of further cancer.When you focus on scans, x-rays, tumor markers, etc., you are not focusing on wellness. You are focusing on illness and disease. What you want to do, instead, is to put your main emphasis on setting up and maintaining the healthiest living plan you can come up with so that you minimize your chances of ever having another cancer
About Healthy Living and Cancer
Get an introduction on healthy living during and after cancer treatment, including information on eating better, exercising more, and managing stress.
http://www.cancer.net/survivorship/healthy-living
There are several websites that outline various plans for this, and they are usually found under the rubric "survivorship".
dianetavegia wrote:Next week will be my first time in 9 years not to have CT or CT/MRI or Pet scans every 6 months or sooner. I'm going to a once a year scan schedule with CEA twice a year. People will say 'CEA is not a good indicator for me' because their CEA was low, but that's not correct. My CEA went to 4.4, 6.4 six months later and then 8.4 (day of surgery) when I had a liver met that was only 1.5 cm. I consider that a good indicator AND lower CEA's tend to be found in people with less aggressive disease.
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