Need opinions on delaying chemo treatment

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Love2Cats
Love2Cats Member Posts: 127
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hello,

Some of you may have read my post regarding me developing a blood clot, and now taking daily shots of Lovenox. Today will be my fourth injection of Lovenox, and I am feeling approx 25% better than I did before I started injecting myself.

Anyhow, I get Folfox with Avastin every 2 weeks. I emailed my doctor to see if I should do my regularly scheduled chemo this coming Monday. She told me "no, let's delay it for one week and see how you feel". She is also going to discontinue the Avastin because of its association with blood clots.

Now, the problem I face is that my father and my nephew are scheduled come into town to help me with some things that I absolutely need to take care of (there is no option to put this off until another time). So, that means that I will have to delay my next treatment by 2 weeks, instead of one week.

I have this fear in the back of my mind, that my cancer will build up resistance to the chemo if I delay my treatment. Do you have any info, experience or opinions that you can share regarding delaying my 5th chemo treatment? Of course I will ask my onc too, because I have an appt to see her on Monday, but I would rather listen to the opinions of many, instead of just one person.

Thanks so much,

Sandy

Comments

  • Buckwirth
    Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
    #2
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    Should be fine
    You definitely want to get the opinion of your oncologist, but I think many have had a two week break in treatment and been fine.

    Blake
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #3
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    my experience
    My oncologist once told me that a delay of up to 3 weeks doesn't make any difference to the efficacy of the treatment. Don't know how true that is but he is a pretty "evidence based practice" kind of guy -- and very straight-shooting.

    I'm not a doc but my feeling is it shouldnt be a problem. Good to check with your oncologist, of course.

    Of course,I am biased: I'm delaying my next treatment by one week for a HOLIDAY. My oncologist said it would not make a difference to my disease-state, but could make a huge difference to my quality of life - amen!

    Tara
  • luvmum
    luvmum Member Posts: 457 Member
    #4
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    My mum never has her chemo on time
    Dear Sandy,

    I dont know if delay treatment will cause resistance to the chemo medicine (although I too have worries about it before), but my mum responding well to her treatments despite the delay of treatments! In fact, she can never follow the schedule! After the first chemo, she supposed to have one every 3 weeks, she ended up had the next chemo in week 6! Then she supposed to have it every other week, and she ended up had it after 1 month and so on and so forth.

    With all these delays, she manage to get a liver resection in 7 hours time (from not operable at the beginning). I hope her case will give you some comfort and reduce your stress about it.

    Love
    Dora
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #5
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    luvmum said:

    My mum never has her chemo on time
    Dear Sandy,

    I dont know if delay treatment will cause resistance to the chemo medicine (although I too have worries about it before), but my mum responding well to her treatments despite the delay of treatments! In fact, she can never follow the schedule! After the first chemo, she supposed to have one every 3 weeks, she ended up had the next chemo in week 6! Then she supposed to have it every other week, and she ended up had it after 1 month and so on and so forth.

    With all these delays, she manage to get a liver resection in 7 hours time (from not operable at the beginning). I hope her case will give you some comfort and reduce your stress about it.

    Love
    Dora

    I been delayed 2weeks it does not seem a big problem to me
    But check doctor please!
  • bigCrandy
    bigCrandy Member Posts: 75
    #6
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    Should not be a problem
    Hey Sandy, sorry to hear about the Lovenox thing, I've done that before and it works. I also had to post pone a chemo treatment 4 yrs. ago while on folfox and going through a blood clot problem. The onclologist said the blood clot was the more important issue and it would not effect the results of the chemo. I only went one week longer without chemo but I'm sure 2 weeks will not make a difference. You need to address your personal matters during this time and take advantage of the time off. You've already done 4 rounds so it should already be working. I'm sure everything will be fine, God Bless you, Randy
  • Love2Cats
    Love2Cats Member Posts: 127
    #7
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    Thanks everyone!
    Your responses help a lot to ease my stress level. Now I can enjoy my short chemo vacation a lot more.

    Sandy

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