I got some news from my regular monthly blood test on Friday.
My blood CA markers have jumped from 86 to 156 during this month. They’ve been steadily climbing since last year in November last they were 56.
So, my scans two months ago showed that there was nothing different. But, i’ve been in much more pain in the last three months so they’ve raised my Targin (oxycodone slow release) up.
I’m still on my first line of treatment after four years of being on Ibrance and Anastrozole. which I think is amazing and I’m very thankful for all the good years I’ve had even though they’ve been drizzled with yucky side-effects and lots of pain and plenty of tiredness. it’s still not as bad as my other option.
i’m going away on a one month camping trip in my new van. it’s not really camping it’s Glamping. and I’m not not going for anybody. My oncologist said she’s worried and she wants to do more scans when I come back. but she can’t understand why I’m in more pain the blood markers go up but nothing showing up on the scan.
So any ideas would be welcome.
And thank you in advance, and I hope you’re all doing the best you all can be. Considering our circumstances.
here’s a photo of my newly renovated Mercy Mercedes campervan. Comfortable and stylish huh?
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Timtam56
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first the good stuff. That Mercedes van is fantastic! You are going to have such a fantastic trip. Are you heading off solo to visit friends or going with someone? I got to try camper van life and it was fantastic in Nz because of the freedom camping snd we could just pull up to a beach and park for one night. Always a toilet block too. Do they have freedom camping in Aus?
Markers and increasing sounds like you are so for a change in therapy. But the good news you haven’t changed things up in a long time so I bet you will respond well to the new therapy- whatever it is. One thing up next for me might be xeloda which is still a portable drug so that would be good for your lifestyle if they were to choose that one. Would love to see pics of your maiden voyage and beyond! No reason not to go… Keep us posted what is happening.
Oh....thanks! Yes. I'm so excited about my van. I looooooove it. It's taken me so much self control to not sleep in it out in my street. Yes I'm meeting different friends a long the way. And also doing some solo (bucket list is to feel the strength of the independence of being out bush alone!)
No. I don't think we do have that opportunity of one night stays by the see! But some free camping dotted about here and there. My first stop will be a free spot, by a lake in a little country town with a great bakery
Okay! Re the change of meds. I thought that too. I hope I do respond as well as I have so far and thank you so much for your response. Xx
I saw your response to Linda about being tired me too! I am so hoping to get back to nz in summer( jan feb) and booked it today but when I am tired I don’t know how I can get worse and still manage. But it is only 3 months away and I know if I stay home and not go I will still feel that tired and yuck and then will be sad that my friends and sister are over there having fun so I booked it even though I suspect I will have to change meds and deal with new side effects. But I am inspired by you bravely setting off in your van! Just get out there and enjoy yourself!
looks like so much fun! Do you have lobular? My markers were steadily rising with good scans, so my doctor brushed it off. Things deteriorated very badly and a few months later they discovered my lobular had gone to the stomach lining which will not show on a scan. I hope you get to the reason before too long. Enjoy your trip!
Tim tam- you prob don’t as they would make you aware of that…most breast cancers start in the ducts so are considered ductal (85%) and far fewer start in lobules of breast and that cancer is lobular. It isn’t easily seen on scans and often spreads to stomach lining. Hope that helps.
It’s as Bettybuckets says. Lobular favors the digestive tract, so it can show up in stomach lining, colon, bladder. I think it can show up other places, but I’m not a medical professional. Your initial diagnosis should state if you have ductal, lobular or both. Enjoy your trip!
We had a conversion van also and had one long trip across Canada, It was lovely and so much fun. We met many people and saw many sights. You will be alright. Don't worry about being alone. Couldn't do it today. Still ok though. I am glad I had that trip. Enjoy yours.
My markers have been going up since January, not in huge leaps. I'm going to ask if it's related to COVID vaccinations as at my last scan they mentioned slightly enlarged medionastal nodes. I've read something about vaccinations triggering enlarged lymph nodes, which sort of makes sense if they're triggering an antibody response.
Yep, me too. You are really fortunate to still be on what, both? I was on anastrozale first, then ibrance and fasoldex, which was second line and only lasted about 14 months. On cap now and same thing with me, tm's going up, more pain and both scans, one week after each other, CT and Gamma, both show stable, but markers up to 250, since beginning of Sept. The results of the 29th tm's still are not in doc says, which is odd. Doing another 2 cycles and we'll see then. So Timtam, you are not alone.
Aren’t I lucky? I agree. I really don’t take that for granted. As I said in my post.
Thanks for making me feel like I’m not alone. But sorry yours are on the rise too. Oh well. Onwards and upwards I guess. I”m not going to let it bring me down till there’s a reason to feel like I’m down!
I have mentioned here before the oncologists I have had over the years never mentions tumour markers. They apparently can fluctuate as yours have for no reason that is pertinent. Enjoy your trip with Stevie. Too cute!
Yes. Tha’s what they normally say to me. But this time the oncologist was quite worried. I’m feeling quite relaxed, but at the same time thoughful about it. But she said she doesn’t lie that they’ve jumped so much this time.
I have had the exact same thing happen with my TMs. They started slowly rising in July from 56 and now they are 168. Nothing shows up on a PET scan, a CT scan and recently a bone scan. I changed my diet to Keto/Paleo but no meat, dairy , sugar and carbs. I also started Curt Michael’s protocol. Oh and behold this month they went down one point to 167. My oncologist thought that was unusual and what was I doing. I do not tell her everything that I do but did tell her I changed my diet. She wants to see what my TMs do next month. I am currently only on Letrozole and have been for the past four years when I stopped Ibrance.
It is a waiting game. Enjoy your van trip sounds fun.
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Thanks everyone for your replies! 
Third Faslodex injections
Anyone have a increase in CA markers after Covid-Vaccine? 
Urgently seeking pain management tips
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