Failing Kidneys and dealing with Breast Cancer too

Hello @kbirk and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It is understandable that you are afraid and also so good that you are reaching out for support.

You will notice that I have updated the title of your post to allow more members to find and participate. In addition, I did relocate your post into both the Kidney & Bladder Group as well as the Breast Cancer Group for the same reason.

Finding out news through a portal alone can be overwhelming and scary. Do you have an appointment scheduled to discuss your results with your doctor?

Yes, I have an appointment with my Oncologist Tuesday the7th of December.

@kbirk Let me also add my welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I had a reply typed out but my computer apparently hadn't had enough coffee, and it was lost to the etherworld!

It's gotta be concerning to be facing two separate health issues at a time, isn't it? While I cannot address your breast cancer, I also have kidney disease. Your increased CEA score may be an indication of stress levels, or change in your cancer; I will be curious to hear what your doctor says about that!

As for your kidney disease, when you are ready to share some more information, I have a few questions: What is the underlying cause of your kidney disease, where are you at in treatment for it, do you know your eGFR number [function percentage]? There are several factors that come in to play, and a decent nephrologist will look at the trends, not a specific lab result, in my experience. I'll be waiting to hear from you!
Ginger

They never were able to put a name on my kd
My next step is dialysis. I have decided to do at home. It's much gentler on your system. I just have to figure out which one. I was told that inflammation can cause a rise in cea levels so it could be my kd. I go to the DR tomorrow. Karen

@kbirk Karen, let me know what the doctor says! You're very right about dialysis at home being better for you. I am planning on peritoneal dialysis, but will have a fistula placed "in case". We figure dialysis is abut 6-9 months out if no problems.
Ginger

Can I ask how old you are? and I will let you know. My appointment is at 2pm central time. I go to Minnesota Oncology together with the Mayo Clinic Rochester MN.

You are in good hands at Mayo. I am late to the party here as I had a huge buildup of notifications and time is unstable for me at the moment.
Geez, whatever happened to a phone call from the doctor? I cannot speak to your kidney issues, but I can certainly feel your pain with the breast cancer. I am glad Ginger is here, she is my friend who is tough enough or fight both cancer and kidney disease.
Are you in active treatment for breast cancer? Is this a new diagnosis on top of the kidneys?

@kbirk I am a young 68 yrs old. Formally diagnosed with this ultra-rare kidney disease in Jan 2015. For years they attributed my symptoms to my systemic lupus, when it probably was this kidney issue.

You are in great hands at Mayo Clinic!
Ginger

Well, I went and she wasn't concerned at all about the CEA. All my other tests were normal except for the Kidney ones. We looked back at my other CEA and when my kidney function went up so did the CEA. Karen

They found Breast Cancer in 2016. I had a mastectomy and Chemo, radiation until I glowed in the dark. Kidney disease was found in 1969.