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No chemo
Today Mama told her doctor that she is opting not to take any treatments. Part of me is relieved. I mean, of course I want her to live, but the chemo would be so hard on her and would only prolong the inevitable. I know everyone has different opinions, but I think this is the right choice for her. Either way, it is what she wants and we will just be there to support her. I am in a weird place right now. Not knowing what to expect. I know you just take everyday as a blessing, but it is hard not knowing what’s next. When will she start to deteriorate? How bad will it get? I don’t ask these questions for you to answer really. Just that it is what I’m thinking. I have been reading Aimeth’s posts and it seems to have gone down hill for them so fast. Aimeth, my heart goes out to you. Also, Renee’s husband seemed to go down fast. i guess I’m just scared for her and scared of the unknown. Thanks for listening!
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5 Replies
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Hi Susan,
I wish I could tell you a big happy ‘yes’. I have been checkin clinicaltrials.gov looking for ideas but not seen much I can use either. I will keep watching.
How are you doing these days? When will you be at MD Anderson? They are doing some trials there at that location only – that will be your best bet I think for finding a good clinical trial.
I am so happy – the baby, the wedding, writing! So glad to see you grab hold of the good stuff of life!
God bless and you are in my prayers’ Holly -
Did you find any other interesting clinical trials, Holly? — Susan
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Hi,
Just yesterday we reviewed some clinical trials and I do believe I saw one for gemzar only. Check clinicaltrials.gov if interested. I found the gemzar easy to tolerate although I am younger – 43.
Think of you, God Bless, Holly -
Dear Julieann,
Your willingness to support your mother and her choices is exactly what she needs.
When you said she’s seen siblings have bad chemo experiences, boy, could I relate, and that explains a lot. We’ve all heard horror stories about such things but when it hits close to home…
My sister’s treatments for breast cancer were so toxic, she was so ill, I decided then and there if I were in that position I would refuse treatment. And when I found myself in that position a year or so later, I did refuse chemo but was lucky with other treatments.
If someone is terrified of chemo, it probably won’t help. That’s my observation over the years.
That said, I’ve seen people respond well to chemo for bladder cancer, and it is being given pre- or post-op more and more these days. Ten years ago it was hardly ever given until metastasis had occurred and then it was palliative anyway.
She may change her mind; there is Gemzar to try, which is much less toxic than most drugs and could be tried as a single agent in this setting. Also Xeloda- this is a chemo in pill form, and said to be less toxic than most. As mentioned elsewhere, radation is an option to treat symptoms.
Sometimes cancer grows in fits and then is quiet for a while and stays dormant. She may have plenty of quality time. I have read that 5% of cancer patients live 5 years without any treatments at all! (Ralph Moss, Cancerdecisions.com)Considering how many people in the world don’t have access to treatment, I’m sure this is true.
The biggest risk with untreated bladder cancer is blockage of a ureter, urine retention leading to infections of the kidney. There are ways to treat this.
Have you looked at the section for metastatic cancer and end of life issues?
Best wishes to you, and for your mother’s well being,
Wendy -
julieann,
My husband had a series of chemo but his body did not react to it very well and I honestly do not think his heart could take it.
He did have two different rounds of radiation but even was sick after each of those.
I do think the radiation helped in his case.I think quality is more important than quantity sometimes and Bob’s doctor seems to know that quality is best for Bob at this time. He does still have his port-a-cath in case he might need chemo in the future.
Hang in there and know that you are certainly not alone.
Love and prayers
Clara
Caretaker of husband, Bob.
Stage IV
Diagnosed Jan, 2007Sign In to reply.
