HELP WITH BLOOD TEST RESULTS PLEASE - and general happenings in our home in two days
I got called into GP on Wednesday for results of tests they said. But as I couldn't see my normal GP saw the newbie to the practice. Anyway he told me that the bowel cancer screening test had given a positive result and I would need to have a colonoscopy. Irony of this part is that at a meeting recently of the G C Primary Health Network Adv Council they did a presentation on the new Bowel Cancer Screening Kits a they are now being sent out every two years to everyone over 50. Previously had been sent out every 5 years. I said it was weird as I had never had one. So I rang the 1800 number and they said I had a kit posted out in 2005 but it was returned - so my file is closed. Anyway I went on and "re-enrolled myself" ordered a kit - Voila! Positive result within four days of posting back.
Now here on the Gold Coast we are hosting the Commonwealth Games and so LIFE here is on halt for the two weeks - No surgeries or procedures till after the games. No specialist appointments - Lots of GP's closed till 10/4 minimum. So getting to see a gastroenterologist won't happen till 19/4 for me.
Meantime hubbie has had diarrhoea for 3 weeks losing 8 kgs and after a lost of pushing finally. had an ultrasound with diagnosis of diverticulitis - No further action. But I won't be happy till he has a colonoscopy to ensure theres nothing more sinister going on. Have friend currently in palliative care after similar diagnoses but turned out to be bowel cancer last April, then found it in her liver, vagina and she's had massive chemo, radiation, surgery and its not good. So I rang specialist back and booked us both in same day - like a COUPLES RETREAT. I do believe some people go away weekends for a couples retreat when they have colonic washes etc, so we are being very hip. May do this every second wedding anniversary. lol.
Anyway I came hoe Wednesday feeling deflated, miserable and skin WHY ME? why me AGAIN! Ive seriously had enough of health issues, minor heart surgery, hip replacements, major pulmonary embolism (Drs error after totally hysterectomy), Brin/pituitary tumour, macular hole in one eye and macular crinkling in other eye, breast cancer surgery 1 April last year - now this!!!!!!!
Now here on the Gold Coast we are hosting the Commonwealth Games and so LIFE here is on halt for the two weeks - No surgeries or procedures till after the games. No specialist appointments - Lots of GP's closed till 10/4 minimum. So getting to see a gastroenterologist won't happen till 19/4 for me.
Meantime hubbie has had diarrhoea for 3 weeks losing 8 kgs and after a lost of pushing finally. had an ultrasound with diagnosis of diverticulitis - No further action. But I won't be happy till he has a colonoscopy to ensure theres nothing more sinister going on. Have friend currently in palliative care after similar diagnoses but turned out to be bowel cancer last April, then found it in her liver, vagina and she's had massive chemo, radiation, surgery and its not good. So I rang specialist back and booked us both in same day - like a COUPLES RETREAT. I do believe some people go away weekends for a couples retreat when they have colonic washes etc, so we are being very hip. May do this every second wedding anniversary. lol.
Anyway I came hoe Wednesday feeling deflated, miserable and skin WHY ME? why me AGAIN! Ive seriously had enough of health issues, minor heart surgery, hip replacements, major pulmonary embolism (Drs error after totally hysterectomy), Brin/pituitary tumour, macular hole in one eye and macular crinkling in other eye, breast cancer surgery 1 April last year - now this!!!!!!!
Twenty four hours later my hubbie came home after appointment with GP to follow up a skin spot he had cut off on Tuesday. He's had heaps of sun spots burnt, cut off over the years - from years of being an English/Scot sitting outdoors on plant machinery trying to get tanned ?? Bapow. It was a melanoma - and Dr had put hubbies name on the list to have looked at AFTER THE GAMES! So I managed to phone around to find out it was only Grade 1 and was called SURFACE Melanoma and phone around again tofind the earliest the plastic surgeon can do anything is 9th MAY - But we have to book that as that's the earliest for Grade 1 melanoma.
One thing about hubbies melanoma shock brought me back to basics of whats important AGAIN and took my mind off my bowel test.
So, when new Dr gave me the referral for the colonoscopy he also gave me the results of blood tests ordered by oncologist, endocrinologist & GP. He didn't tell me anything about them - SO I decided I needed to check them out -
So I read my ALP levels are high again/still. ALP suggest Liver or bone issues.
CA15.3 are high at 35. and the comments beside that are:- CA15.3 levels are elevated in 40% of patients with non-metastatic breast cancer and 85% with metastatic breast cancer. In mot, but not all patients levels parallel the clinical course. Elevated levels are also documented in some patients with liver disease and with other malignancies (ovary, lungs) and possibly in other conditions.
CEA is at <1.0 and says tumour markers are normal. Urate is marked High.
TSH is high (Thyroid Function).
Anyway when I Dr Googled the CA15.3 & high ALP both mentioned liver disease or bone issues - suggesting to me that maybe this wretched bc has metastasised to bones and/or liver. AND the most frustrating part is due to these DAMN Games I can't see my GP or find out any more info till April 11th. The ten days seem like its too long., As normal Im imagining all sorts of bad news. Hoping someone on here ha knowledge of these blood test results to make more sense of them. When I see the CEA is normal it gives me hope - but ............
Sorry for long story - but these past two days have overwhelmed me and I hope you all don't mind me sharing whats bothering me today.
Heading off to cook fish and salad and look forward to Easter eggs on Sunday.
One thing about hubbies melanoma shock brought me back to basics of whats important AGAIN and took my mind off my bowel test.
So, when new Dr gave me the referral for the colonoscopy he also gave me the results of blood tests ordered by oncologist, endocrinologist & GP. He didn't tell me anything about them - SO I decided I needed to check them out -
So I read my ALP levels are high again/still. ALP suggest Liver or bone issues.
CA15.3 are high at 35. and the comments beside that are:- CA15.3 levels are elevated in 40% of patients with non-metastatic breast cancer and 85% with metastatic breast cancer. In mot, but not all patients levels parallel the clinical course. Elevated levels are also documented in some patients with liver disease and with other malignancies (ovary, lungs) and possibly in other conditions.
CEA is at <1.0 and says tumour markers are normal. Urate is marked High.
TSH is high (Thyroid Function).
Anyway when I Dr Googled the CA15.3 & high ALP both mentioned liver disease or bone issues - suggesting to me that maybe this wretched bc has metastasised to bones and/or liver. AND the most frustrating part is due to these DAMN Games I can't see my GP or find out any more info till April 11th. The ten days seem like its too long., As normal Im imagining all sorts of bad news. Hoping someone on here ha knowledge of these blood test results to make more sense of them. When I see the CEA is normal it gives me hope - but ............
Sorry for long story - but these past two days have overwhelmed me and I hope you all don't mind me sharing whats bothering me today.
Heading off to cook fish and salad and look forward to Easter eggs on Sunday.
