No Chemo or Chemo Lite if you were in Remission?

VivianGB
VivianGB Member Posts: 46
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Got some good scan results today. Doctor says I'm in remission, said all the tumors melted away. He gave me a choice of a chemo vacation or chemo lite. I choose the lite, just a little scared to be completely off of if. What would you do if it were you? Do you think I choose the right thing?

Thanks for your opinions!

Viv

Comments

  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #2
    Total remission , NED,no tumors , CEA in normal levels?
    Or partial remission ? .

    Hugs!.
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #3
    To chemo or not to chemo..
    It would depend on one's history. I've had times in the past where I was given the chance to take 3 months off chemo. I took it. The next scan showed growth in the small spots that I had. Now I'm not in such a hurry to stop it all together. I'm on a once every 3 weeks schedule and that seems to be keeping MY situation in check.

    I can understand how you must feel, do you want to go through chemo for nothing or do you want to skip it then find out that it might have been better to have done it. Decisions, decisions, decisions... Only you can make them Viv but I'd go with YOUR past history and let that be a guide. The thing is you never know if what you do is right. Once you make a decision go with it and don't second guess yourself.
    -phil
  • VivianGB
    VivianGB Member Posts: 46
    #4
    pepebcn said:

    Total remission , NED,no tumors , CEA in normal levels?
    Or partial remission ? .

    Hugs!.

    Well....
    The doctor said I was in remission. If I had to try to pick one of those to decipher what he meant I guess I'd pick NED no tumors. My blood work was fine, but won't get CEA results until tomorrow. What is total remission anyway?

    Thanks for responding Pepe.

    Viv
  • VivianGB
    VivianGB Member Posts: 46
    #5
    PhillieG said:

    To chemo or not to chemo..
    It would depend on one's history. I've had times in the past where I was given the chance to take 3 months off chemo. I took it. The next scan showed growth in the small spots that I had. Now I'm not in such a hurry to stop it all together. I'm on a once every 3 weeks schedule and that seems to be keeping MY situation in check.

    I can understand how you must feel, do you want to go through chemo for nothing or do you want to skip it then find out that it might have been better to have done it. Decisions, decisions, decisions... Only you can make them Viv but I'd go with YOUR past history and let that be a guide. The thing is you never know if what you do is right. Once you make a decision go with it and don't second guess yourself.
    -phil

    I know what you mean.
    I also had a chemo break after my liver resection for about 6 months and that's when the spots I just got rid of popped up. So I don't trust this sneaky disease. Other than my butt dragging for a few days after the chemo treatment I'm feeling great so my gut feeling is to keep the status quo. My 3 year diagnosis anniversary is soon and it's been a long hard road at times, but I want to keep having anniversaries regardless, don't we all!

    Viv
  • VivianGB
    VivianGB Member Posts: 46
    #6
    PhillieG said:

    To chemo or not to chemo..
    It would depend on one's history. I've had times in the past where I was given the chance to take 3 months off chemo. I took it. The next scan showed growth in the small spots that I had. Now I'm not in such a hurry to stop it all together. I'm on a once every 3 weeks schedule and that seems to be keeping MY situation in check.

    I can understand how you must feel, do you want to go through chemo for nothing or do you want to skip it then find out that it might have been better to have done it. Decisions, decisions, decisions... Only you can make them Viv but I'd go with YOUR past history and let that be a guide. The thing is you never know if what you do is right. Once you make a decision go with it and don't second guess yourself.
    -phil

    Phil, question
    I like the sound of your 3 week schedule, mine's going to be every other week. May I ask what chemo drugs you are doing?

    viv
  • tanstaafl
    tanstaafl Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #7
    Our 2-step
    My wife's chemo plan extends the LEF.org protocols into chemo + non-toxic adjuvants for a year or so, and then just the non-toxic adjuvants.

    Step 1. daily oral chemo for antimetastasis (rather than node extirpation) + Step2
    our current step, although we did most of step 2 prior to first surgery and chemo last year with great results (necrosis) on some local metastatic spread into mesenteric fat.

    assuming remission after a year or so, step 2 non-toxic adjuvants only.
    Step 2. PSK + cimetidine + celecoxib (COX2 present?) + higher vitamin D3 + fish oil + alpha lipoic acid, as well as lots of other supplements.
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #8
    VivianGB said:

    Well....
    The doctor said I was in remission. If I had to try to pick one of those to decipher what he meant I guess I'd pick NED no tumors. My blood work was fine, but won't get CEA results until tomorrow. What is total remission anyway?

    Thanks for responding Pepe.

    Viv

    Well In any case if not sure completely Ned , I think you have
    done very well Viv.Hope you get the NED.Soon.
    ( Ned to my is comfortable psychological state of mind) hahaha!
    Hugs Viv.
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #9
    VivianGB said:

    Phil, question
    I like the sound of your 3 week schedule, mine's going to be every other week. May I ask what chemo drugs you are doing?

    viv

    Hi Viv
    Four years ago I started with erbitux every week and irinotecan every other week, then I was doing a double of erbitux and irinotecan together for a long time (once every 2 weeks). For the past 5 months or so I've been doing erbitux every 3 weeks. It seems to be working...
    -phil
  • MrsJP
    MrsJP Member Posts: 157
    #10
    Chemo Lite
    Just wondering if DMSO Potentiation Therapy would be considered lite chemo. Its a diluted mixture thats not supposed to be as harsh as straight chemo, but just as effective.

    jp
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #11
    VivianGB said:

    Phil, question
    I like the sound of your 3 week schedule, mine's going to be every other week. May I ask what chemo drugs you are doing?

    viv

    Vivian
    I'm on every three weeks too. Xeloda and Avastin, LOVE IT compared to the every three weeks with Oxy, Xeloda and Avastin.
    Winter Marie
  • Erinb
    Erinb Member Posts: 293
    #12
    MrsJP said:

    Chemo Lite
    Just wondering if DMSO Potentiation Therapy would be considered lite chemo. Its a diluted mixture thats not supposed to be as harsh as straight chemo, but just as effective.

    jp

    When my husband took a three
    When my husband took a three month break (thought he was NED after surgery) he had a couple mets pop up. Last summer when he took a six week break another popped up, but his CEA went up both of those times too. During his 4 week break all was ok. and CEA didn't elevate. Who knows?
    I wish you the best!
    Erin

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