Hi everyone,

Just read some of the posts about follow-up exams. My ENT also prefers the physical/visual exam approach to things. While talking to my brother earlier today he raised a question that I might get a good answer to here.

Would there be any benefits to periodic blood tests? I'm not looking to be stuck with needles anytime soon; well anytime for that matter, but I'll endure whatever it takes. Should I ask the ENT at my next follow up visit about it? Does anyone know if it is worth it?

Peace,

Fr. Mike

Fr Mike,I am not sure my case is similar to yours. I had blood test every time I visited the oncologist who said it was important. I don't know exactly what the test reflects but one thing for sure is the tumor marker. He told me that when I was diagnosed with cancer, the reading was much higher than normal and kept rising until I completed my treatment. Then the figure started going down and now it is back to the normal level. Every time I had my medical appointment, I asked about the blood result.When my oncologist said'normal", I was relieved. About piercing a needle into my arm, I don't have much feeling with it after going through so many pains in these 2 years.This is just a piece of cake.

Karen stage 4 tonsil cancer diagnosed in 9/01.

Fr. Mike,
I have have to admit that as time went on I resented the blood tests more and more. I have calluses on my veins from being poked so often. I don't know anything about tumor markers -if they were looking at that I wasn't aware of it. The radiation oncologist and oncologist were really interested in the results of the bloodwork and required a draw prior to every visit for up to about 2 -3 months post Tx. The oncologist was monitoring my white and red blood cell counts and creatinine (kidneys), probably looking for potential damage from the chemo and or radiation or infection maybe. Certainly I was immuno supressed for a long time. It appeared that they were all standard blood chemistry stuff. Finally I told him I had had enough needles and he said that it was cool to back off. I haven't had a blood test for months now and I don't miss it.

Fr. Mike, I can empathise with your dislike of needles. I cringe when anyone goes near me with one. Made worse by the fact that half the people drawing blood don't have the faintest idea what they're doing.

Only time I usually get blood test is during the 6 month PET/CT follow ups, when they're going to access the veins anyway. Then mostl to check general red/white count, thyroid, etc. That coupled with my once a year visit to the local hospital for my China residence visa check up is plenty for me, and they check the same things plus HIV, Hep A,B,C, etc.

Take care
Bob