kvetching up

  [While the study below pertains to colorectal cancer, the point is the same. If it's high and getting higher, it is indicative of a raging cancer. A CEA level >5 is indicative of cancer . ] Compared to the median level of 26.8 ng/mL, patients with CEA levels of >69 ng/mL were at a significantly elevated risk for progression. In contrast, the progression risk appeared to be lower for patients with CEA levels lower than 26.8 ng/mL, but a significance level was not reached. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov  › pmc Baseline carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)

Entry 1 11/18/21   Virginia Mason stops measuring at 132k. Jenny's CA 19-9 is above 132k. I hate all of this.

Entry 1     11:55 a.m. Carcinoembryonic Antigen, or CEA is one of the two key biomarkers measured in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Between August 12 and November 4, 2021 a 363% increase has occurred. Between the last measurement on October 21, and November 4 is a 30.6% increase. Any measurement above 5 ng/ML is generally indicative of cancer. Continuing increases are indicative of tumor growth. Work is so busy, I won't likely have time to enter more today.

 Entry 1 12:44 p.m. Jenny is at chemo with Moni, as planned.  Her CEA clocked in at 31.7 up from 26.6, a 19.7 percent increase two weeks ago. It is a 178.1% increase since August 12, when they first started tracking this antigen.  The CA 19-9 isn't back, and I don't know if it was measured today.   I wish we could go back to a time when we were just mad at each other, or generally unhappy in the relationship. No cancer, no affair. Nada. As always, this day is terrible. Jenny wishes she could quit chemo, but dutifully goes to get the poison pumped into her veins, knowing the alterative is not an option right now. She will be miserable. I was informed by Moni that around week 8, which is the next round, per the doctor, there will be side-effects of the Folfox, likely severe. The neuropathy is so grave today her dose is limited to 80%. 

Entry 1 9:42 a.m. Let me first say that Jenny has, no matter who it is you ask, the best PDAC oncologist there is. Period.  He is like the little French chocolate, non-pariels, of doctors.  That said, yesterday was again a day of frustration for me. I have so much concern for what the doctor said to us, and so many questions.  To raise those issues with Dr. P., who comes off as Moses sans beard, holding his stone tablet decrees, and me down below worshiping a golden calf.   Jenny's CA 19-9 went up: The doctor said it went up just a bit, nothing really to worry about. Really, he said, your cancer is stable, "maybe a little worse."  But stable.  The CA 19-9 numbers are see-sawing, but the general trend is through the roof.  42845.1 U/ml as of yesterday. Baseline, 14 months ago, was 846 U/ml.  So, its 42k higher. Jenny, as is her way, won't look for another week or so, and I, of course, per her wishes, won't share the information with her. Jenny...

Entry 1 5:10 p.m. WebMD is better than all the medical journal articles I have read, un describing the CEA marker measurements use: Your doctor can use CEA as a “marker” to learn more about your   cancer . The test can often help predict whether the cancer is growing or spreading to other parts of your body. It can also help tell how well your treatment has worked and predict your outlook . Happy Hump Day.

 Entry 1          11:24 a.m.  Big news on the work front.  Jenny has decided it makes sense to go on long-term disability, rather than working.  This pleases me.  She came home half-dead this week, as she went to TOPs to help with buses and lunches.  We will be fine with her being on LTD, and it will allow her to continue to volunteer to do things she loves, to see friends, to travel.  Her friend that bought her the handmade mattress is going to fly up and get Jenny in her private jet and take her to San Francisco for a few days, something that would not have been possible if she had opted to work.   Truth is, she realizes that as much as she would like to work, it is just too much.  It just is. I am glad she has made this decision. It took a long time to get her used to the idea, but she is there, and I am relieved.