Hiya

This is not a post that is easy to answer as everyone's reactions to chemo are so different.  All I can do is say that in my hubbys case (he has incurable cancer) he was offfered chemo as it was possible that it could give him a bit longer, there were no promises. He decided to go with it and had three sessions after which he was very poorly but even now he says it was worth it. Watching him suffer was extremely hard so he must have felt awful. Eventually he had to give up having it as his body was too weak but this was on the recommendation of his oncologist who felt he would not benefit from putting himself through so many side effects. On the positive side  his scan showed a slight shrinkage in the cancer and that is why he had it.  Think this is something you need to talk through with both the medical team treating you (they will be able to give you options and also iif its the side effects that are making you think twice maybe they can give treatment for them) and also with your family. Decisions are often the hardest part of the cancer journey but my hubby said he had nothing to lose and everything to gain and I gave him all the support I could to carry him through.  At the moment he is on reduced painkillers and has regained some weight and I think thats what we cling on to but only you can make the ultimate call. Wishing y ou all the b est whichever way you choose to go. Jules54

Hi Lily-Anne

Just as Jules has said this is a choice you will have to make yourself along with the assistance of some medical professionals who might be able to recommend an alternative form of chemotherapy if this one didn't agree with you.  There is no point in putting yourself through any pain if it can be avoided

Sorry I don't know very much about chemotherapy treatment.

Wishing you all the best in whatever you decide.

Mickied

Hi Lyly-Anne,

I'm 23 and have small cells ovarian carcinoma -hypercalcemic type. I was diagnosed at age 22 ( on december 2011) and for several reasons I didn't do chemo after have been operated (and I don't have any sign of disease after surgery either)... and I relapsed.

On 12th November 2012 I started chemo and during 3 cycles I felt me quite lucky, I did not have many side effects ( and my second cycle was actually more easy then first cycle)! My 4th cycle is being very aggressive and of course it's to hard to see no life, just suffer... but give up? means exaclty what? It's the question I repeat to me all the time... And I guess that everyone who does chemo feel the will to give up and feel the tiredness and anger with so much suffering - it seems that will not the end!

But we need to believe on people who survived and passed so many things...At the end, it is "just a question of time" (hard time and persistence)

I hope you can feel a litlle better after some cycles... and remember that chemo could be changed with your oncologist if you body can't resist to it..

Good luk. Love, Sofia

Sorry Lily-Anne, I have a question for Jules. 

Jules,

My Dad has terminal stage 4 lung cancer. He just had a huge tumour removed from his brain four weeks ago and has now recovered. He has 18 months to live (approx). He is very fit, and is on the fence for doing chemo as he thinks he won't be able to golf and spend time with friends.

My question for you (if you don't find it too personal) is if your husband was able to recover and play sports or get out of the house after chemo?

His wish is to live as long as he can, but not sacrifice quality of life, and doctors are not too helpful with the pros and cons.

Thanks

Hi browner21,

As I replied in the original post on this thread everyone reacts differently to chemo.  Some seem to cope extremely well over long periods of time and others not so well and it is a very personal decision to make. In my husband's case he only managed three sessions before his body could not cope and treatment was stopped by  mutual agreement.  He was willing to try treatment for the possibility of having a little longer to sort out his affairs and spend time with the family and friends.  In the event his palliative was good but he was unable to work six months after chemo ended and passed away in January 2015. During the last two years he was restricted as to what he could manage and life was 'paced' to his needs but he had a different cancer, Mesothelioma (linked to asbestos) which was pretty aggressive. Even  before his chemo he would have been unable to participate in sports (walking was difficult due to  breathing problems associated with his illness). 

I am sure your Dad will  make the decision he feels is right for him.  My own Dad had prostate cancer diagnosed in his early 80's and secondary in the lungs and refused any treatment at all - it was the right choice for him at the time and had all my and my Mum's support.  Making the most of every day whilst  you are well is about as important as it gets but that my personal view. 

Not sure this helps as I know how hard it can be for all the family during such a journey.  Jules  

Hi,

I just received an email notification regarding my post from 2013. I did not have the second chemo and remained NED until 2016. A tumour appeared in my pelvis, not uncommon for ovarian cancer and attached to my bowel, mainly due to the problems with the MRI scanner not working so I had to pay privately four weeks after being told they couldn't operate without it. this allowed it to grow and I now have a stoma. Hopefully reversible as long as I am NED next year. Had three chemo sessions this time after major surgery and had to give up as the side effects were awful. Currently NED just waiting for bloods next week. I think chemo is a delicate choice. I do not regret my decision in 2013. Even though I had a recurrence. there was no guarantee it would have been any different if I had pushed on through.

Thanks for your response I appreciate it and every little piece of advice helps.

Hi

Thanks for sharing your update and hope you continue with your recovery.  Have a good weekend (the e-mail notification would have been automatic when browner21 posted the question to me on your old thread).  Best regards Jules

Just go with it ,life is precious the treatment does help ..the side effects short lived in the scheme of things ..in a few weeks you will start to feel better ,,,you will be given medication to make you more comfortable ,,,just please try ...my husband has lost the battle its spread to his brain .it's then that you realise how precious life is ..but the treatment he has now prolongs our days together ,and who knows mircules  do happen .