142. Chemo Very Cautious Optimism

So my bloodwork came back: some of it good, some of it a bit worrisome.   My CEA level (cancer marker in the blood) has been on a steady rise since the end of October, shortly after I had a combination of Flu and Covid shot. (not sure if that is a coincidence).  Much to my dismay, the level peaked at the end of January at 40.4, very worrisome because a "healthy level" is lower than 5, suggested to ideally be lower lower than 2.5 even.  I am happy to announce that since I started chemo again, it has come down to 16.1 from 40.4. I am not out of the woods yet, but this at least is a hopeful development.  Because I am still not at the "ideal level" I suspect to be kept on chemo for a while yet.  What is a worry, is that the liver enzyme levels are way up high yet, an indication that all is not well, that there are possibly still blocked bile ducts somewhere, even though none were found during the gastroenterology exam.  Or what else could it be?  No one can give me a definite answer on this, because the experts can't agree...

I had phone conversations with 2 surgeons recently: one from Alberta and one from Saskatoon.  Both are convinced that I ended up with more tumors in my liver since I had the Nanoknife surgery 6 months ago.  Both recommend surgery to remove a big chunk of my liver.  Of course they would; they are surgeons after all.  However, one is in touch with the radiologist who did the Nanoknife surgery and the radiologist claims that whatever is showing up on CT scan and MRI is fall-out or damage from the surgery.  (Apparently, Nanoknife surgery on the liver isn't done that often and still in the experimental stage.  Lucky me! 😓  I asked for any  data on Nanoknife liver surgery aftereffects and was told "That's a good question".  I took that to mean: we are not sure and/or we do not know at present.)  So for the time being I am staying on chemo and after I've had another scan or MRI, what it will show will determine what the next course of action will be: stay on chemo or have liver surgery.  It's a big decision I think, one I'd much prefer not to have to make.  And my dilemma right now is that the professionals can't reach a consensus.  What to think or who to believe?  I don't know. Yikes!

Back in a while. Take care!  SanTeh!  Have to go swallow some chemo pills.  Ciao!