Ok, so, I saw Dr W...andI was all expecting him to say that everything looks great and let's start doing ANNUAL visits...cause that's what he said he planned to do when I saw him in September.
That is not what happened.
Fool that I am for believing him.
No...instead he said he'd like to see me in six months, just one last time on the six month thing, and THEN go to annuals. Ok, fine. That is actually closer to my five years of cancer freeness than March is so sure, no prob. But then he said he was going to order a blood test. A tumor marker test. My very first EVER tumor marker test, because Dr W has always said that he is no fan of tumor marker tests. (Nor is he a fan of constantly ordering scans to monitor bc.) He just thinks these tumor marker tests are just not all that reliable...any number of non cancer related things can cause a reading to look pretty fuckin scary, and can cause unnecessary stress to an already over the top stressed out, paranoid freak, such as myself. So, although he said that he has really "no faith" in the CA 27.29 with CEA tests, he felt it prudent to at least take a look at them before sending me off into the wild blue ANNUAL yonder....
I guess it makes sense. So the blood was drawn. We were told it could take a day or two to get the results.... O kinda nudged Dr W to try to get results sooner rather than later.
(And then 24 hours of me being a stressy weirdo freak began...something that I think is never going to change, when it comes to cancer testing and stuff....Ahhhh, the scars that remain from bc that will never heal....more on that in a future post...)
Anyway, I do understand that this test alone can't be relied on...but if something does look out of the ordinary, then coupled with other tests, like a CT, a recurrence or mets could be detected earlier, maybe even before symptoms arise, and hopefully dealt with. Ok, fine.
Thankfully, Dr W called the very next day...just about 24 hours after the blood was drawn. Went something like this:
*Ring Ring*
LTC: "Oh shit! It's Dr W! OhShitOhShitOhShit!!!!....Hello, this is LTC..."
Dr W: "Hi LTC, it's Dr W..."
LTC: "Hi Dr W, I'm very scared of you at this moment..."
Dr W: *chuckling* "Your tumor markers all look just fine!"
LTC: "OMG thank GAWD!! Whew!" So, does this mean I should cancel our appointment in 6 months and see you next March?
Dr W: "Well, I'll let you decide that..."
LTC: "Nooo....you're the boss of this....what is your recommendation?"
Dr W: "Let's keep the appointment, and I'll see you in 6 months."
Ok, so now here's the thing...am I a Fool for believing that a "just fine" looking tumor marker test actually means anything at all? I mean, since Dr W has no faith in these tests?? Right?
No, I don't think so. I actually DO feel better knowing this...because I'm thinking, "just fine" is great...elevated stuff means additional testing is needed, which may or may not reveal bc issues. I would (obviously) rather have "just fine" than "elevated...."
Soooooooo, I choose to believe, (fool or not), that it was good to run these tests and I'm glad to know they look fine.
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| See Mom, we have Dickey's too |
And here I am being an April Fool on April Fools' Day 2014. =)
2 comments:
You are fine. LOL I know you want my expert opinion on the whole thing. I seriously hate April Fools pranks and jokes. Of course I had my oldest son on that day and he never has appreciated that. Kids made fun of him or told him he was April Fooling them just to get something from them. I remember when I realized we were going to the hospital that night my mother in law told me it was probably gas and to go back to bed. LOL I had been in labor all day but didn't really realize it. We were living with Dean's parents because we just got out of the Air Force. Anyway then we decided to wait until after midnight so we wouldn't have to pay for that day. How young and broke we were. So we say out in the parking lot until 12 and then went in. I had him in 4 hours. And then Dean called his mother and said April Fool to her. She never liked me anyway. But Danny was 2 weeks early so he was a prank for us. Anyway I am wandering. And you are fine. :)
Ha ha ha Paula! That IS the ultimate April Fools' Joke! Eh, we didn't play any on anyone this year...I just acted the fool LOL! Thanks for all your reassurances over the years... I love ya girl! xx <3
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