Chemo or not chemo?

[ramfan13]

congrats Merc

Good to hear that all is good. I know about the anxiety through all of this. My AFP has been going 12-16 so I hope it is not a sign of anything. Good luck and continue to think positive.

[Don]

May your good health continue-Always!!!!

[wolken]

Congrats ...make sure you don’t miss any of your surveillance appointments...
I'm getting closer to my 1 year anniversary..i have been "clear" for almost 1 year ( short 2 weeks ) .....

[Scott]

Congratulations on the "all clear," merc!

[AdrianB1971]

Hi

Good news. My AFP is fluctuating too. 2.4 ->5.8 ->3.9. No sign of cancer reocurrence yet.

[merc]

Back from the oncologist...

*** ALL CLEAR ***

AFP is gone back to 2. The CT scan doesn't show anything. The bone scan is negative too (that's a long story).

This marks 6 months in surveillance.

I feel like the luckiest person on the planet.

Thank you everybody. Thank you.

Merc.

[merc]

Well...

I am seeing the oncologist in 1.5 hours.

Scary.

I'll keep you posted.

Merc.

[jrednib]

Don't panic...your Dr. is right. A small move of a point or two is not what they look for in AFP. AFP typically goes up big, when you have cancer...10 points, then 20 and so on. My AFP has never been normal, before or after RO. Ranges from 8.0 to 11 and goes up and down. Wait till the Feb date, nothing will change your survival rate in that short of time either way. Best of luck.

[merc]

Thanks mikeygti!

I was reading your "chemo diary" last night. I'm there with you!

I hope you're doing fine,

Merc.

[dadmo]

merc:
My son's AFP fluctuates between 2 and 6. Our oncologist say not to assume cancer until it is over 16.

[mikeygti]

Welcome merc

Prior to my re-occurance (which for the record was a node detected on a CT scan ),my AFP fluctuated between 12 and 16. My oncologist said that 20-25 is the warning point for mets.

Best Wishes, AND good luck !

[merc]

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I think you're OK waiting to have tests again in February, and I don't think a PET scan is necessary, especially since it wouldn't detect teratoma. I understand the waiting game isn't easy!
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I didn't know about the PET scan not detecting teratomas!

Scott: do you think my AFP might just be fluctuating, in your experience?

(it went from 3 to 4, and then 4 to 6...)

Bye,

Merc.

(Going to bed - it's nearly midnight!)

[Scott]

I think you're OK waiting to have tests again in February, and I don't think a PET scan is necessary, especially since it wouldn't detect teratoma. I understand the waiting game isn't easy!

[Chris'Mom]

Merc, my son Chris had chemo and RPLND and his AFP flucuates between 2 and four...take care..Mary Ellen

[merc]

OK. Thanks a million Jens. It's nice to hear of somebody who fluctuates between 2 and 6. Well, it sort-of gives me hope that my AFP fluctuates like yours does.

I'll keep you posted! I guess the real test is the one coming up on in a few weeks - at that point, we'll see if it's gone back down or if I join the club of those ones doing chemo.

Bye,

Merc.