DH was diagnosed end of May 2020 with stage 4 colon cancer. We were told mets to liver and lungs. Had liver biopsy to confirm. No lung biopsy. CC surgeon said DH needed chemo and sent him over to ONC that day. DH has had 6 rounds of FU5 with avastin and had CT scan afterwards which the Onc showed us to compare with original taken before chemo. I saw that the liver didn't appear to have the tumor anymore compared to the original scan. Since I'm certainly not a radiologist I really couldn't tell anything else from the scan.
DH just finished his 4th chemo of his next 6 rounds, total number 10, 2 to go. Before his chemo yesterday, the doctor said to DH: There is no cancer in your body, you are in remission. He said he could tell that from all the bloodwork and tests. DH's CEA is 1.5. Started at 7.1. I have said to the Onc various times that I was happy that his CEA was low, and what does it mean, how can CEA be that low and you still have cancer? He's always been cautious with his words that CEA was just a guideline. I was not in the room yesterday, but Onc told me via phone that DH was in remission. Doc wants DH to finish the last 2 rounds of chemo, which he is doing. Doc said after that will scan and give DH maintenance pill. I'll know more specifics on which pill, etc. when the doc prescribes it.
Throughout all the chemo DH has responded well and we've been living life as normal, which has been wonderful. Of course with strict corona precautions.
Needless to say we are very happy with what the Onc said. We are optimistically happy about this. We are also realistic that the dreaded C may return.
I've asked the Onc various times if DH would need surgery. He always says no.
Is this too good to be true? I guess if there is NED as everyone uses this term here, of course there wouldn't be surgery, since there's nothing to be removed? I don't know why, but even though I am so happy with what the doctor said, it's like I'm afraid to believe it? Is this possible after just a few months of chemo? Why didn't the ONC tell us when he showed us the scans after DH's first 6 rounds?
Thanks for listening. As someone else on this board has said, I don't get into too much discussion with DH about this. He is well aware of everything but prefers not to talk too much about it. I get it. That's my job.