Re: Treatment vs no treatment

[Guest guest]

Hi Katy- I am so sorry to hear of your tumor spread. As for

decisions about starting chemotherapy, everyone is different. I can

only tell you my story, and why I would be a bit anxious about

waiting.

In April '03, six weeks after surgery to remove peritoneal mets, I

had some back pain. A CT and biopsy revealed mets to my abdominal

lymph nodes near the spine. Because my oncologist did not want to

start more chemo (I had completed pre-op oxaliplatin/5-FU 4 mth

before). By 6 wks later, I had marked enlargement of a lymph node in

my chest near my aorta and trachea and was coughing constantly as a

result. Fortunately Oxaliplatin/Xeloda has controlled things. I have

tolerated it well for over 6 mths. It took 4-6 wks before my

coughing completely resolved.

I do not know where you are planning to travel, or do. I have had

reasonably good energy. I do get tired, but feel better than last

spring. I got treated a week ago. I walked 3 miles New Year's eve-

it was 40 degrees here. I was at the gym today.

As others have mentioned, there are lots of good drugs to help

control nausea, although it sometimes takes a few treatments to

figure out which ones might be best for you.

Best wishes,

Kris

> Well, the really worst news came from my surgeon reading the

PET/CT.

> Besides liver tumors, there is cancer in lymph nodes in neck, left

> underarm, and near an aorta. No surgery or RFA can be done with it

> spread like that. I feel fine right now, and want to feel well for

> the next 12 weeks (leave on 3 week trip late Feb.) Oncologist

> discussed this and her take (without knowing about the lymph

> involvement)agreed to start me asap on Oxaliplatin/5FU/Leucovorin.

> I'd rather be recovering from chemo on my trip than getting

symptoms

> of cancer. My husband disagrees, hearing sureon say: I'd do the

trip

> first...I just think it's too long to go untreated. Opinions? Ive

> been off chemo since 9/23, recurrence diagnosed 12/12. Thanks

> Katy

[Guest guest]

Dear Katy:

I agree with the majority here, and would get started right away. The

side effects from the oxali when I was on it weren't so bad that I

couldn't do things, except for a day or so right after the treatment.

A trip might be a nice way to get your mind in a good place. Two

caveats though:

1. Some oxali treatments are every 2 weeks, so you might not be able

to go for the whole trip as you planned it;

2. Don't go somewhere cold in the winter if on oxali.

Bon voyage!

Jodi

> Well, the really worst news came from my surgeon reading the PET/CT.

> Besides liver tumors, there is cancer in lymph nodes in neck, left

> underarm, and near an aorta. No surgery or RFA can be done with it

> spread like that. I feel fine right now, and want to feel well for

> the next 12 weeks (leave on 3 week trip late Feb.) Oncologist

> discussed this and her take (without knowing about the lymph

> involvement)agreed to start me asap on Oxaliplatin/5FU/Leucovorin.

> I'd rather be recovering from chemo on my trip than getting symptoms

> of cancer. My husband disagrees, hearing sureon say: I'd do the trip

> first...I just think it's too long to go untreated. Opinions? Ive

> been off chemo since 9/23, recurrence diagnosed 12/12. Thanks

> Katy

[Guest guest]

Folks--thank you for the affirmations: 100% behind chemo vs none.

We're going to NZ for 3 weeks with friends late February (8 of us all

together) so, with dates in cement and paid for, I felt chemo was

going to give me the best chance to be untroubled by advanced

cancer. Let's hope it's so--I should be able to get three or maybe

four treatments, depending on how I tolerate them. and, yes, I will

be off the two week schedule for the vacation; like life, cancer,

etc, that's how it's gotta be.

And a political aside: I have decent drug coverage through my

retired/on Medicare husband (I'm just 59); hoping with this nnew

Medicare program I don't lose those benefits.

Katy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/2/2004 3:25:08 PM Eastern Standard Time,

ergarretts@... writes:

Well, the really worst news came from my surgeon reading the PET/CT. Besides

liver tumors, there is cancer in lymph nodes in neck, left underarm, and near

an aorta. No surgery or RFA can be done with it spread like that.

I am so sorry to hear your results....I know how disappointing it is to get

CT scans back and have to hear that they weren't good. I guess it's all part

of the roller coaster part of this disease which is the part I think I hate the

worse, so far...

Good luck to you whatever you decided to do as far as the chemo/trip,

etc....you'll be in my prayers.

Terry in GA