Hi There
i was initially diagnosed with anal cancer in August 2018. I quickly underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment lasting about 6 weeks which was not pleasant but more from the radiotherapy really.
I was given all clear in April 19 and then following a scan in Dec 2019 I was told the cancer had spread through my bloodstream to my lungs so stage 4 terminal.
I did 6 cycles of paclataxil and carboplatin which I dealt with fairly well. The tumours shrunk by 50% so above expectations and I decided to give my body a break in August 2020.
by Jan 2021 the tumours advanced again so I started another course of chemo at the end of Feb 2021. However this time I'm really struggling with the side effects on top of usual nausea and fatigue, lack of taste etc the worst is now severe bloating and unbearable diarrhoea which is exhausting. I'm recovering today after a bout last night immediately after my chemo.
does anyone else have experience of worsening side effects after more than one round of treatment? I'm really questioning whether it's worth carrying on and whether I should have a few happy months with my family rather than suffering for the same inevitable outcome?
jules