chemo holiday

jillpls
jillpls Member Posts: 238
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Has anyone ever gone on a chemo holiday and what did that look like? I've been doing chemo for about 3.5 years. I was on folfox originally for 8 cycles. Then when recurrence happened I went on folfiri + Avastin,(12 cycles) then maintenance of xeloda and avastin for 10 months, then folfox and avastin for 8 cycles and now I'm doing just 5-fu pump with Avastin. I really want a chemo break but not sure what that means and the degree of riskyness in it. Any ideas??? My last scan showed stable. No new growth. I will have a scan in July and if all is ok I'm thinking of stopping all drugs for a few months to give my body a break. I'm at the point that I really need a mental break as well as a physically break for the drugs. Do others ever feel this way and if so how do you get past it???
Jil

Comments

  • chicoturner
    chicoturner Member Posts: 282
    #2
    Take a Break
    Hi Jill. I just finished 1 year of avastin and irronotecan. Unfortunately my nodules did not shrink, but did not grow while on this. I started having more dramatic side affects and my onc said it was time for a break. I unfortunately have not many options for chemo right now, but he said a break to let my body rest and recover before taking on some new meds would benefit me a lot. He then referred me to UCSF where the onc I met with there agreed that a break was a great idea. They are watching the nodules (they grew a bit) but felt at least a small break was very good for me. It was explained to me if the side affects/chemo is making your system weak, you can't very well fight the cancer. I hope you get a much deserved break and that you will feel comfortable with it!! Jean
  • jillpls
    jillpls Member Posts: 238
    #3
    chicoturner said:

    Take a Break
    Hi Jill. I just finished 1 year of avastin and irronotecan. Unfortunately my nodules did not shrink, but did not grow while on this. I started having more dramatic side affects and my onc said it was time for a break. I unfortunately have not many options for chemo right now, but he said a break to let my body rest and recover before taking on some new meds would benefit me a lot. He then referred me to UCSF where the onc I met with there agreed that a break was a great idea. They are watching the nodules (they grew a bit) but felt at least a small break was very good for me. It was explained to me if the side affects/chemo is making your system weak, you can't very well fight the cancer. I hope you get a much deserved break and that you will feel comfortable with it!! Jean

    needed break
    hi Jean, thank you so much for the advise. I will discuss this with my onc at UCSF as well. Yes, I need a break. Did they say how long you will be on a break?? Jill
  • chicoturner
    chicoturner Member Posts: 282
    #4
    jillpls said:

    needed break
    hi Jean, thank you so much for the advise. I will discuss this with my onc at UCSF as well. Yes, I need a break. Did they say how long you will be on a break?? Jill

    break
    Hi Jill, I just got a call last night from Dr. Katy Kelly at UCSF. We are trying to set up a phone appt. so I don't have to travel to SF to talk. I appreciate her attitude. She has seen my newest scans and acknowledges the growth in the nodules in my lungs. She said it is probably time to do clinical trials. We will talk later next week about what and when, so it looks like my vacation is coming to an end. However, I must say having no treatment is a stressor it self! Never happy! The trial she is considering is 2 days each for 2 months...interesting, but I'm game! Where do you live and do you travel to SF from a distance? I have had about 3+ mo off chemo and feel the best I have felt since prior to my precancer denial days!! Wow, that and the sun is shinning!! God is good! Hope you get a rest too! Jean
  • jillpls
    jillpls Member Posts: 238
    #5
    chicoturner said:

    break
    Hi Jill, I just got a call last night from Dr. Katy Kelly at UCSF. We are trying to set up a phone appt. so I don't have to travel to SF to talk. I appreciate her attitude. She has seen my newest scans and acknowledges the growth in the nodules in my lungs. She said it is probably time to do clinical trials. We will talk later next week about what and when, so it looks like my vacation is coming to an end. However, I must say having no treatment is a stressor it self! Never happy! The trial she is considering is 2 days each for 2 months...interesting, but I'm game! Where do you live and do you travel to SF from a distance? I have had about 3+ mo off chemo and feel the best I have felt since prior to my precancer denial days!! Wow, that and the sun is shinning!! God is good! Hope you get a rest too! Jean

    I would love a break
    Hi Jean,
    Thank you so much for letting me know what you have been doing. I too go to UCSF, Dr Venook. I am in the bay area. I'll add you as a friend so we can email privately. Go Chico! My son is graduating on Friday from Chico! Jill

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