Chemo Vs no Chemo - what are people's experiences with paclitaxel and carboplatin?

I am a 49 yo single mother to a gorgeous 15 yo boy, I was recently diagnosed with CUP with poorly differentiated cells that has spread to both lungs. Prognosis is a year with treatment of Paclitaxel and Carboplatin or 6 months without. 

My original dilemma was should I have a quality 6months without treatment or in and out hospital for 12 months of treatment with *** side effects. Which my son and I both agreed we didn't want the latter option. However.....

A friend who sadly is all too familiar with this bloody disease informs me that it won't be a quality 6 months as symptoms of secondary lung cancer such as pain, coughing and breathlessness will kick in. And it's the chemo they give to alleviate symptoms. So if that's the case should you just have the treatment anyway as its inevitable????????

Would help to hear from anyone who has has this type of Chemo. I am aware that different people react differently suppose I'm just preparing.

Many thanks x 

  • Hi Laurie08

    I've not had chemo and I'm on these forums for support about my mum. She was recently diagnosed with late stage lung cancer and the doctors have basically said treatment might not be worth it. She's 74 and has become frail in the last few months and she's decided to go with paliative care and refused treatment. Although I support her decision, I do wish she would fight it. 

    My mum's situation is perhaps different to yours. You are a lot younger and you're right that chemo affects people in many different ways. Some have fewer symptons, some more so. Prognosis and life expectancy are also hard to judge because it's based on averages and we are all individuals, nothing is really confirmed. 

    My sister is a doctor and we were talking about chemotherapy and its side effects and whether its worth going through. She said its always worth trying something. If you don't like it, you can always stop. And I can't help but agree with her. But at the end of the day, it's such a personal journey and decision. I can only advise research all you can, speak to your doctor and I hope others who are going through something similar can provide their experiences. 

    Wishing you all the best. X

  • Offline in reply to HHTT

    Thank you I appreciate your perspective. I have decided im going to give it a bash....nothing to lose apart from my hair :) 

    I'm sorry to hear about your wee mum so sad :( x

  • IHi Laurie 08,

    ’m having Paclitaxel and carbonation for ovarian cancer. I’m tolerating it very well. Yes, the first round was not straightforward but now we seem to have got on top of it. There is some fatigue, some aches and I have developed a bit of peripheral neuropathy but I am living a ‘normal’ life. I am spending quality time with my kids (12 and 14). I get out and about. I meet friends. I think you will have more symptoms without it and longer with your son. Don’t give up. 

  • Offline in reply to Laurie08

    I'm happy to hear you've made a decision! Wishing you all the best. Ill look out for an updates if you decide to post anything.

    And thank you for the kind words. Xx

  • Awe bless that is very reassuring thank you

    I've decided I need to try to be able to look my son in the eye and tell him I tried my best

    Good luck sweetie xxx

  • Offline in reply to Laurie08

    Hi Laurie,

    It’s a bit like the Lottery, you’ve got to be in it to win it.

    Sometimes making a decision is the hardest part. Whatever the outcome, you’ll know you’ve done your damndest.

    Good luck!
    Dave