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Mum prescribed 3 cycles of cistplatin only having 2??

Hereformum
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Hi all, 

 

 

I just want to see if I can get some advice or encouragement. My mother has scc of left tonsil. She underwent surgery to remove tonsils, and was told her treatment plan was 35 fractions of radiation plus 3 cycles of chemo(cisplatin). The radiation hasnt been too bad but she really cant handle the chemo at all. She is currently in hospital after the 2nd session and has a week left of radiation but they have told us they arent doing the 3rd cycle of chemo now as the risk is too high with damage to kidneys etc.

Has this happened to anyone else?

I'm worried that it means more and it means she cant cope with the treatment and the two cycles wont be enough to get rid of this.

Any advice would be helpful, very stressed and worried here

 

Thank you

Olivia

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    Hi olivea, your mum should be fine i was diagnosed Feb 2016 been on palliative care since. I was supposed to have 10 sessions of Docetaxel chemotherapy but was that bad side effects it was cut to 6 had no problems cancer is still there but getting less even after all this time. Living normal life and no problems. Good luck to your mums other treatment. Best wishes for the future......

    Billy 

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    Hi Olivia,

    I am also called Olivia! I know that quality of life is a major consideration when doctors are making the decisions about treatment. They weigh up whether it is going to be harder for your mum to have the treatment and the side effects of that, versus whether it would be easier on her body to temporarily go without it. Chemo continues to work for a short time after finishing the cycle, and it is a toxic substance don't forget, so they can't give it to someone if there is a high risk.

    Keep an open mind, has she got to have a scan or check up to see what the current progress is? That may bring some reassuring news. Also, there may be other options of treatment for her. Sometimes the doctors look at whether the chemo can shrink the cancer to a certain degree which then makes room for other options like surgery or other treatment. 

    I hope you get the news you and your mum need.

    Take care,

    Olivia x

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