Going back on chemo

Talk Cancer » Cancer Patients » Going back on chemo

Categories: Cancer Patients

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – With my doctors permission, I took a vacation from chemo treatments for three months. The only thing that I noticed during this time was that I did not get sick as I usually did during my times of treatment. I still am tired alot, like I was when I was taking my treatments. No I have something to think about as the time rolls around to take all of my tests again to see what happened during my time off of treatments. I would like a little advice from those of you on this newsgroup. When all of the test come back and if they show little to no change in the size of my tumors, should I start back on treatments or should I tell the doctor the hell with it, because without them the tumors did not grow? Or should I go back on chemo hoping that the tumors will start to shrink again? Please answer here on the newsgroup. Thank you for your advice. Jim

Jim, are the treatments intended to cure you, or improve your quality of life? If they are not going to cure you, and they make you feel worse, they probably aren’t going to improve your quality of life. I’m not saying don’t go back on treatment, I’m saying be sure what the aims of treatment are. Shrinkage on x-rays is not usually a useful thing to be aiming for in itself.

Response:

And I will echo the sentiments of all those who have replied to your post. I often think if we go with what makes us feel better that is the best guide. MIKE

Response:

Hi Jim This is a hard decision for you, but if it were me and the tests show little or no change, I’d wonder what the point is in having more chemo. The treatment is so hard that it really wants thinking about before embarking on another round. Still, everything rests on the results, so try to enjoy your time off and cross the bridge when you come to it. Just my thoughts, I wish you all the best. Eve in England

Response:

With my doctors permission, I took a vacation from chemo treatments for three months. The only thing that I noticed during this time was that I did not get sick as I usually did during my times of treatment. I still am tired alot, like I was when I was taking my treatments. No I have something to think about as the time rolls around to take all of my tests again to see what happened during my time off of treatments. I would like a little advice from those of you on this newsgroup. When all of the test come back and if they show little to no change in the size of my tumors, should I start back on treatments or should I tell the doctor the hell with it, because without them the tumors did not grow? Or should I go back on chemo hoping that the tumors will start to shrink again? Please answer here on the newsgroup. Thank you for your advice.

That’s a question that only you can answer (it’s also one I’m thinking of myself). It’s all about measuring the cost of treatment (side effects and their effect on relationships, ability to work, health, ability to socialize, exercise, travel) against its benefit (prolonging life, possibility of cure). And it’s about measuring risk, too- what’s the risk of further time away from treatment- that’s the hard one to figure out, since doctors can only give you information based on statistics, and their experiences with other cancer patients in similar situations (you’re unique; there’s no patient quite like you and no way to say for sure how your disease will progress). I’m taking a six week break from chemo to take a trip to Europe. I’m not sure that I want to continue on what my nurse calls IrenoFuFo (irinotecan, 5FU, and LV) when I come back. I’m having a hard time with the Irinotecan, and there’s no way that I can realistically return to work and stay on this protocol- I’m having too much trouble with diarrhea, cramping, and fatigue. And I have to go back to work. So when I see my onc. next week I’m going to ask about alternatives to this plan; I know some people who failed on bolus 5FU but had good results with long term (ie, upwards of a year) continuous infusion of 5FU. But it’s a risk; my cancer has been stable for nearly 6 months; how much of that is due to the Irinotecan? I wish I knew. Anyway, I’ll be having another CT scan when I come back from Europe, and the results will play a part in my decision. I guess the best thing I can suggest is to talk candidly with your doctor, get the information you need from him and go with the decision that feels right to you. My best wishes go out to you as you make your decision. Michele

Talk Cancer