My latest CEA shows a renewed rising trend. This is a disappointing result after the drop in early July. Something has changed and two possibilities come to mind. By late June I had exhausted the supply of the Chinese herbal medicine supplied by the Ngee Ann clinic in Singapore. I have been taking an alternative Chinese herbal treatment supplied by Bo-Ying Ma in London. And, since coming to the UK, I have taken a weekly treatment of intravenous vitamin C when possible, although there have been periods when I have been unable to take treatment, such as my week's holiday in France. Perhaps more significantly, my London physician has been reluctant to give me the 100 g dose which I had taken in New Zealand, prefering instead to stay with 75 g per infusion.
I have another IVC next week. I will try to persuade Dr Adeniyi-Jones to increase the dose. And when I return to New Zealand for four days in September (12th to 15th) I will collect the prescription sent by Ngee Ann to my New Zealand home address. The four days back in New Zealand will allow me to give a public lecture for the University ("New Zealand as the new Tiger Economy"), to launch my book, and to have a CT scan, another CEA, an IVC treatment and a consultation with my oncologist.
It is not too surprising to me that my latest CEA is up. I have experienced more pain from the upper anterior abdominal tumour in the last few weeks. It is not too unpleasant but the discomfort acts as a reminder that all is not well. The CT test in September will give valuable insight. It will also act as a crucial evidence base for deciding what the next step will be in this long journey.
Paul, you're exhausting the lot of us with this blog. Could you please slow down and let the rest of us catch up.
ReplyDeleteYou've got to admit, having cancer is a whole heap of excitement!
ReplyDeleteI guess you weren't teasing about coning over for lunch! I envy all of your visitors.
ReplyDeleteHang in there, Paul, and stick to the high levels prescribed by LP.
Hi Paul,
ReplyDeleteThere's a huge temptation on my part to read too much in the significance of one datapoint. For example, does this mean we are dealing with multiple tumours, and not only one, as we discussed when I was in Cambridge? I guess the best recourse is to wait for the results of your next test in September.
In the meantime I hope you are able to manage the discomfort you've started feeling. Also that the negotiation for 100g of IVC works out... although if there is no real danger from taking an additional 25g then it shouldn't be a great concern to your doctor in London, I would imagine?
Warmest,
Vanessa
I'm still having fun Ed, you can be sure of that.
ReplyDeleteVanessa, you may be right. Perhaps some new tumours have started. On 14 September I have a CT scan in New Zealand and then on 15 September, an appointment with my oncologist. We will plan a strategy then. Meantime, I will try to up the IVC dose.