To go through chemo therapy or choose not to?

Mr York was in this exact same position. You have my thoughts.
My husband had radiotherapy then surgery for Bowel Cancer.
When you get the news from your surgeon that everything went well and there no lymph nodes affected, you feel elated. Then Chemotherapy is mentioned, just to ensure everything stays as it is. You immediately become doubting that everything is good..
Our surgeon advised that he had three months Chemo just as insurance. Which he did..this was four years ago and everything is good.
Talk to you Oncologist, they should give you all the options available to you but only you can decide what to do.
How would you feel if the cancer returned and you hadn’t taken this extra step.
Good Luck and remember there is a great chance that you will get your normal life back.

My Mum first had bowel cancer when she was about 75. She had surgery and was told if she stayed clear for 5 years she would need no further appointments. A week before the 5 years were up she was very poorly and a different strain of bowel cancer was diagnosed. Lots of surgery again and left with just a tiny bit of colon. Chemo was offered but she declined. She lived to the great age of 97 and those years were very good years. Take time and don’t be rushed. ❤️

The Professor at Christie’s told us “I can have two patients with a similar cancer and give them both the same chemotherapy. One will do well and the other, sadly, might not. It’s not an exact science as every body is different”.

He also said “getting cancer is just bad luck”.

There are different causes and types of bowel cancer so someone's diagnosis,/experience may have absolutely nothing to do with another's diagnosis/experience.
When l had chemotherapy for bowel cancer it wasn't a matter of 'courses' it was committing to six months unless the side effects became more of a threat than discontinuing the chemo.
Swallowing poison many times daily was my greatest challenge psychologically, it is not as easy as those saying 'belt and braces' seem to think.
It was a zillion times harder than the surgery.

Yes you're right,, good point..

pascal30

In your position I would agree to the Chemo to get yourself on the waiting list.. then see your counsellor and have a good think about it. I think I would probably have one course of chemo to see whether I could cope with it,and also to put my mind at rest that I had done all I could to prevent a reccurence.. I hope all goes well. there are also good massage therapist to help you feel better..

pascal30 forgive me but your reply may be misunderstood and cause the OP unnecessary anxiety. If chemotherapy is required and singingnutty decides to proceed with the treatment, there will be no "waiting list" The OP tells us that the consultant would like treatment to commence quickly.

In your position I would agree to the Chemo to get yourself on the waiting list.. then see your counsellor and have a good think about it. I think I would probably have one course of chemo to see whether I could cope with it,and also to put my mind at rest that I had done all I could to prevent a reccurence.. I hope all goes well. there are also good massage therapist to help you feel better..

My cousin had bowel cancer and had surgery. Told it was all removed and wouldn’t come back. It did. Further surgery and then chemo. She’s been clear ever since then, well over twenty years.

In my mind it all depends on your age and if you have other co morbidities. W
Like it or not we are all going to die one day, you are already one up in my book!

A young family member is going through this now. He’s had a full course of chemo after bowel surgery but it’s come back again. He’s now on another course of chemo in an effort to control it and turn into a chronic condition, hopefully for many years.

There’s been no hair loss although the first course caused neurological problems and brain fog. The second course causes mild nausea and tiredness but he’s been able to work for most of both courses of treatment.

Should have said off all the side effects from chemo unfortunately my husband got the 2 he didn't want lost his sense of taste and became impotent . Until he had chemo didn't realise there where different sorts and different grades depending on the grade of cancer and the sort you had. It was an eye opener.

But there is more chance of survival than in 2001/2004.

I was in almost exactly the same situation as you, 10 years ago. The choice was entirely mine and the consultant would not influence me either way.
It was oral chemo (quite new at the time). It was over 6 months and the concern was the side effects (possibly as it was so new - hopefully it's improved). I managed 5 months, I had to discontinue as it was causing neurological damage.
The oral regime itself was very debilitating and l could barely function and definitely couldn't work.
I don't regret it but l do live with lasting damage.
I imagine the chemo will have improved since then, and we all react differently. Had l needed to work it would have proved impossible.

Thanks for the comments so far made. Please keep them coming. I think the haste is because there were delays in getting results because of a 'backlog' unfortunately. The oncologist said that treatment would have to begin at the beginning of June at the latest. I am hoping to get an appointment to talk to a counsellor at our local Wellbeing Centre which provides services for cancer patients. The oncologist promised that he would write a letter laying out the points he made at my appointment on Tuesday, but so far I have just had the letter telling me he is going to phone me on Tuesday for a decision. It's all a bit stressful.

OldFrill

Were each diagnosis/prognosis identical?

Sorry that was @annesixty

Were each diagnosis/prognosis identical?

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

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

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

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.

I have read people are no longer sick with chemo

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 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 🥀

Why do you have to rush this decision please?

Take a few days and calmly decide.

very best wishes.

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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 .

@ 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.