STAGE 3 TREATMENT CHOICES

ecourtney

Hi Folks my Ammunition for Big Cannons thread aimed at stage 4s has crossed over into the stage 3 community and since it has become such a long thread I thought I would separate out the postings most relevant to stage 3'ers to make it easier to follow for those with an interest in that stage.
Main post from Megmacd with responses fromn Lu,Paul and Sandy follow below

Hope this helps those who are following the site or who want to contribute- and remember Meg, we are all here for you!!!!!!!!!!
Good luck to all . Maurice

From Megmacd
I was diagnosed March will stage 3 but nodes above and below the diapragm lungs and intraabdominal I am 57 yo female never smoked or drank did have GERD I am a Pediatrician so adult medicine is not my forteit. Iwas told surgery and radiation were not an option I trust my docs because they are all friends and collegueas and know this is very bad and are giving me the straight scoop I started foxflur regime am on my 6th treatment every other week had some initial response but the side effects of numbness and tingling not feeling well and nausea and tiredness and no appetite everything tastes awfull And I love to cook and eat. Lost my husband of 30 years to a freak cerebral anuersym one beautiful summer morning here in Va Beach my children are grown the last one a 3rd year at University of Virginia I am thinking I would rather live my last months or year or so in quality and am thinking of stopping the chemo many people have different reactions but I have lost my dad to bladder cancer 4 years ago he was 82 and had a great life ,my sister died 3 years ago of breast cancer she fought it tooth and nail and was pretty miserable her last 2 years my mom died last year of breat cancer at 83 she choose to let nature take it course and played crouquet and bridge sang in the church choir until thelast 2months theyhad given her 6 months she lasted 2 years SoI am debating whether to stop chemo and really believe after reading all the postings it doesnt matter it is just random luck and a matter of attitude as long as you feel Ok why not live life and take your chances? Myhusband used to say we are all dying the minute we take our firstbreath noone know howlong so live life on lifes terms to the fullest
Meg

From Calaloo
I urge you to seek a second opinion. I'm sure your friends have your best interests in mind, but you should have the advice of an independent, objective expert in the area of EC. You don't give any reasons why your stage 3 is inoperable, but it sounds like an unusual diagnosis. Stage 3 is generally considered curable. And if it is, indeed, inoperable, chemotherapy is your best shot at a cure.
I don't think anyone on this board is advocating stopping an initial phase of chemotherapy prematurely in the absence of major medical issues. This and other discussions among stage IV patients about ending chemo relates to the 2nd or 3rd time around, when there's a recurrence or if the first phase doesn't produce results. I and most other stage IVs have completed an entire initial phase of chemotherapy and as tough as it was for all of us, I don't think there are any regrets (at least I have none.)
You may find that you recover from its ill effects faster than you think, and you will soon be living a strong and fulfilling life again. But I would give it a full chance to do its job first.
Another inoperable stage III patient used to post here, but now has a blog. He's doing well after completing chemotherapy. His tumor was right against his larynx and surgeons recommended against surgery. They still believe he may be cured with chemoradiation alone. He looks good in his latest photo, having just returned from a vacation in Switzerland, 18 months after his diagnosis. Please take a look:
http://dancancerfree.blogspot.com/
Lu in Oregon

From Paul 61
Meg,
I know chemotherapy is difficult. I am not sure why, as a Stage III, that surgery is not an option but I would suggest that giving a full run of your treatment regimen is worth the difficulties. I know that when I was undergoing chemo, there were times when I questioned if it was worth it. I sometimes asked myself, “what if I am going through all this for nothing?” One day I said to my wife, “If this is an example of how the rest of my life is going to feel I would just as soon be gone”.
Well; I have finished chemo, and have been fortunate enough to have clear scans and endoscopies since then. I am now a year out from finishing my chemo and am feeling as good as I felt before I was diagnosed with EC.
My oncologist told me that one of the side effects of some of the chemotherapy drugs is depression. And of course dealing with a diagnosis of cancer is reason enough to be depressed anyway. I would not fully trust my ability to make a rational decision while undergoing chemotherapy without lots of input from my friends, particularly input from people who have been where you are now.
Meg, this friend says “Give the full range of your chemo treatment a chance”. Then if the tests show it did not have the expected effect you can decide at that point.
With great concern,
Paul Adams
McCormick, South Carolina
DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
6/21/2010 CT Scan NED
3/14/2011 CT Scan NED
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

From SandY 1943
Hi
I had stage 111. My dr. did not do radiation. After I came on this site and learned all that I have, I asked him why. He and some other dr's did a several year study. He said that they determined rad. did more harm than good for the long term. I don't know if this is right or wrong, but I have been NED for three years. Keep in mine I was stage 111, not IV.
Sandra