To go through chemo therapy or choose not to?

A friend is ten years clear after chemo following surgery for bowel cancer
My neighbour was less fortunate
Best of luck

Oh singingnutty, you’ve been through a battering, just finish the job and be done with the cancer. Why risk it returning ?
(Unless of course you are over 100 years old)

You will obviously need to check this advice with your consultant, but I suggest trying one course of the chemotherapy. People react very differently, and you may find yourself able to handle it well; or you may find it affecting your quality of life very badly.
Good luck

An acquaintance of mine recently went through surgery for bowel cancer and had chemo after. I'm not too sure of the ins and outs, but I know she is clear of the cancer now and fighting fit again.

My husband (71) has cancer. It is inoperable and incurable but as the Professor at the Christie told him last May that does not mean it’s untreatable. Those words gave us hope. My husband said recently “without chemotherapy I wouldn’t be here”.

Best wishes from me, whatever you decide.

The husband of one of my friends and an acquaintance had surgery for bowel cancer in the same month some years ago.
The acquaintance opted for chemo afterwards while my friend did not.
His returned about 3 years later and was terminal , she is absolutely fine.
Don’t take the risk as it been offered to you.
Belt AND braces.

No two cancers are the same. You can only rely on the consultants. My daughter had chemo and radiotherapy after her tumour was removed but unfortunately the cancer came back .

Urmstongran

My husband (71) has cancer. It is inoperable and incurable but as the Professor at the Christie told him last May that does not mean it’s untreatable. Those words gave us hope. My husband said recently “without chemotherapy I wouldn’t be here”.

Best wishes from me, whatever you decide.

When I worked with Marie Curie, our Prof always said something similar. He used to tell patients that their cancer being terminal meant they couldn’t cure the disease, but they could treat the symptoms, sometimes for a very long time. Another of his bugbears was patients being told ‘ how long they’ve got’. He felt that did more harm than good.

My uncle had bowel and bladder cancer . Over the course of 15 years need the first chemo after his operation and over the years 5 more shorter courses to get rid of any cancer cells that appeared. He lived a full life. He saw his grandchildren and even a grandchild . When on coach holidays 3 times a year in the UK. As he got older had a mobility scooter I think he thought he was Sterling Moss. Needed a stair lift. But he needed those because of arthritis. He was 86 when he died but that wasn't because of cancer but blocked tubes from his kidneys that gave him sepsis .

How long a course of chemo would it be, is perhaps a consideration.
Also, some are harsher than others, which may have some bearing on your decision.

If you don't have chemo and the cancer recurs, you will be kicking yourself, I'm sure.

I have friends who had bowel cancer. The chose belt and braces too. They are still here!

Princess Kate is now having preventative chemo after her cancer operation so I don't think it would be offered if it was not going to be of any use to you. Our son's 36 year old wife, mother in law and father in law have all had cancer operations last year and they were told that everything is now clear but they were not offered preventative chemo treatments and they would have accepted it if it had been offered. If it was me, I would take everything that was offered.

@ Urnstronggran. I am so sorry about your husband, but yes, I agree, cancer may not be cureable but it is treatable and I for one would take everything they offered me.

Press post instead of preview.
My husband was diagnosed with grade 4 malignant melanoma in January 2021 and given 5 years to live. After the cancer was removed from the side of his face and skin graft . He didn't have any chemo until he was terminal October 2003 it was palliative . But it got him to what he wanted and that was his 47th birthday in 2004 he died 4 days later at home with me and our children.

We always knew he wouldn't live . But today I heard on the news there is a vaccine to target malignant melanoma if my husband was alive today he would jump at the chance to have it.

I decide after my husband died if I ever got cancer I would have all treatment offered to me .

Going to have his palliative chemo we saw how many people it saved and went on to live a longer life.

The side effects can be awful but if it gives you a longer quality life then jump at the chance . We always believed quality of life is better than quantity.

Your oncologist had given you the chance of a longer life . There are questions you need to ask yourself do you have a good quality of life and will chemo give you the chance to live the life you want and do all the things you want to do. If the answer is yes then have it.

But if you have no quality of life as you haven't said how old you are . Then will the chemo give you a quality of life.

Have you talked to your loved ones about this. It is your decision but you need to ask them what they think .

Why do you have to rush this decision please?

Take a few days and calmly decide.

very best wishes.

I think if I didn't have the chemotherapy I'd always be on tenterhooks, wondering.
If I did have it I'd at least know I'd done everything I could.

Gymstagran your poor daughter xx 🥀

singingnutty firstly, I'm so sorry that you are having to face this dilemma and completely understand your hesitation. My daughter has recently finished a punishing course of chemotherapy for a cancer where surgery isn't an option. She is young and was very fit but my goodness it's not for the faint hearted and her recovery is going to be long and slow. Do you have an Oncology nurse specialist that you could have a chat with and weigh up the pros and cons together? Whatever path you choose I wish you a good recovery

I have read people are no longer sick with chemo

2oaktrees

I have read people are no longer sick with chemo

Chemo takes many forms. If the components include drugs which cause nausea and vomiting, an effective antiemetic will be prescribed.

Having had cancer twice and still alive I would advise you to speak to your oncologist again. Why does she/he need a fast decision ? None of my medical team ever suggested I could not have time to consider my options once the facts were presented after surgery.

2oaktrees unfortunately not true my 35 year old friend is having chemo and for the first four sessions she was very very sick nauseous even though they gave her medication to help the sickness they have now found a tablet that suits her and it’s not so bad now She cannot be cured of cancer as it has travelled but she has to learn to live with it and may need chemo on and off over the years

singingnutty I d do as others have said throw everything at it if it’s the oncologist offer of extra protection

Were each diagnosis/prognosis identical?

OldFrill

Were each diagnosis/prognosis identical?

Sorry that was @annesixty