Last Friday (Jan 22 2010), I had the bloodwork drawn to track my tumor markers. It was draw #9. I’ve been having pretty good results to-date, some ups some downs, some increases, some decreases – all within acceptable margins…

However, I’ve had a lot of unexplained aches and pains, especially breast and bone pain, and been battling stress and depression which I was – am – sure effected my health. So I’ve been Very scared of these results…

Very Scared.

This blood draw was for the monthly tests (most specifically my CEA Tumor Markers).

* April 15, my baseline CEA tumor markers were 63.1 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter). This is High, as Norm is 0.0-3.0 ng/mL.
I honestly don’t know how high “really high” is, but – in my internet searching – I read one gal talk about the mid-200’s, so I guess my high is not That high, but It’s High To me.
* June 03, my 2nd draw CEA tumor markers were 35.9 ng/mL
* July 03, my 3rd draw CEA tumor markers were 12.8 ng/mL
* August 27, my 4th draw CEA tumor markers were 3.9 ng/mL
* September 18, my 5th draw CEA tumor markers were 3.3 ng/mL
* October 16, my 6th CEA tumor markers were 3.2 ng/mL
* November 20, my 7th CEA tumor markers were 2.7 ng/mL
* December 18, my 8th CEA tumor markers are 2.8 ng/mL

* January 22, my 9th CEA tumor markers are 3.1 ng/mL
This is a .3 INCREASE from last month, and puts me just above the normal range…

Dr. Khan has reassured me that this small increase is nothing to be concerned about, so I will TRY not to worry… Yah, right.

As always, I’m unsure, but this (CEA: The Test) continues to answer Some of my questions…

My Other Numbers as of January 22 2010 blood test results:

* CA-125: 12 U/mL (Reference @ 0-35)
a 2 point DECREASE – down from 14 U/mL from December’s draw… I am well within normal range.

* CA 15-3: 16 U/mL (Reference @ <32)
a 4 point DECREASE – down from from 20 U/mL from December’s draw; I’m well within the normal range.

* CA 27.29 (see CA15-3 above): 27 U/mL (Reference @ <38)
a 4 point DECREASE – down from 31 U/mL from November’s draw. This decrease makes me very happy!

The CA 27.29 test is used to monitor your:

• Response to treatment
• Status of your cancer
• Possibility of early recurrence

With all the aches and pains I’ve been having
With all the stress and depression I’ve been fighting
I’ve been Very Very worried…
But these results help ease my mind.

Taking a breath
Relaxing
Destressing
Its all good…
It Will Be Good.

Visualizing my Dragons
My Warrior Dragons
Burning

Never Stopping.

Roberts was known for his activism, which included participation in the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965 with Martin Luther King Jr in a campaign for voting rights for blacks; and pressuring NBC to refrain from hiring whites to portray minority characters.

Articles:

‘Bonanza’ Star Pernell Roberts Dies at 81

Pernell Roberts, last star of TV’s ‘Bonanza,’ dies

Wikipedia, Pernell Roberts

Pernell Roberts, 1928 – 2010

Jennifer Lyon (37) former CBS reality show Survivor contestant. Lyon was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, the same year she finished fourth on Survivor Palau. She subsequently began blogging about her disease and treatment (JenniferLyon.com).

On January 19, 2010, Jennifer died from the cancer, which had come back from remission and had metastasized to her bones. She is the first cast member of Survivor to die.

Articles:

CBS News: “Survivor” Contestant Jennifer Lyon Dies

ABC News: Former ‘Survivor’ Contestant Lyon Dead at 37

Wikipedia, Jennifer Lyon

Jennifer Lyon, 1972 – 2010

I had forgotten how much
Fun it was to be
Selling

And I have
My first bid!

I have more to
Sell
More photos to
Take
More items to
List
Which I am already
Working on

I had forgotten how much
Fun it was!!

Mosbacher died after a yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer.

Articles:
ABC 13 Local Houston
Wikipedia
NY Times

Robert Mosbacher , 1927 – 2010

Though my brain feels “sore”

My muscles and joints
don’t hurt as bad
nor does my breast
though there is still pain there.
still…

I am working on my eBay today…

I did some labor intensive work
around the house this morning
and the numbness left
but the headache has not

The headache increased to
near debilitating
my head
as though
in a vise
my eyes
difficult to focus

I have spent the afternoon
and into this evening
laying down
medicated

Though these are not the usual side effects
I’ve had from the Zometa infusion –
the flu-like aches -
they are listed as possible common side effects, so
I am hoping these are
side effects of Zometa
and not
something else….

I moved up my monthly blood draw and
Zometa infusion to today
Though when I went to the Center, I discovered that
I was supposed to be there last Friday…
Oops

Anyway
Hope to have the blood work back by Tuesday.

My next PET/CT scan is scheduled for
the end of February
but I left a message with Dr. DeLeon
that I want to move it to ASAP.

Hope to have that done by next
Wednesday, so we can get the
results by Friday.

Then we can see what is happening.

And make some
changes, decisions
if needed.

But for tonight
Christine called
so I am going to have dinner
with Her & Rob
then to their home
and play some games

I need the company.

Let’s see…
I bought it new in May
and it has been in for repair…
5 or 6 times.

Thank goodness for warranties.

I have not

I am very concerned about the
Changes in the lump in my breast
Scared
Petrified

It seems that it is becoming
swollen
a feeling of
fullness
each day
and the pain
jabs
are still there
a feeling of
a pulled muscle
in the breast

I’m sure that
the stresses from everything
are contributing factors

The depression from
Loss of my job
The depression from
Christmas and New Year
Being alone

The month of
Eating
Drinking
Doing
Things I should not have

Easy to say that
I need to
Take better care
of myself

Easy to say
unless it is
too late…?

A possibility…