Difficult Decision

jmaddox915

I have reached my limit on treatment options and basically will need to make a choice to find a trial or stop treatment.  I go for a CT scan on Monday and meet back with the doctor on Tuesday.

I don't know if I really care anything about doing a trial to gain a couple of months, possibly being sick during this time.  I am not a quitter by nature and I turn 43 tomorrow. 

I just want to be able to enjoy whatever time I have left as best I can.

Any opinions?

bigman4christ

difficult indeed

I can only imagine what your going through at this stage in your treatment and the only advice that i can give is do what is best for you and your family.  if that means stopping everything and just let the chips fall where they fall you will now that you did everything that you could to beat this with no regrets.  I know that God has a plan for us all even though we do not always see or agree with what He has planned.  I am sorry that you are faced with this choice but i will pray for you to be at peace with whatever you decide to do.

Zach

Coloncancerblows

So sorry

I'm so sorry for your news.  I can tell you I have a friend who has been battling cancer for many years and she's been in a clinical study for 2 years now and still going strong.  You're so young.  I would keep fighting.  Prayers for you and your family.

Cyn

John23

Jmaddox915 -

 

Re:

“I don't know if I really care anything about doing a trial to gain a couple of months, possibly being sick during this time.”

 

“I just want to be able to enjoy whatever time I have left as best I can.”

 

“Any opinions?”

 

You didn’t say what your stage was, or what conditions you’re facing, but…. Have you considered trying something else? There –are- other ways to fight cancer!

 

(read my CSN profile and “blog”)

 

I don’t like to see anyone “give up” because western medicine’s given up.

 

Wishing you better health,

 

John

Lovekitties

Quality vs quantity

I am so sorry you find yourself at this crossroads.

This is a decision no one should have to make, but unfortunately many who have this disease may have to.

Is it possible to start a trial and then opt out if it gives you too many physical and/or emotional issues to handle?

If you don't chose to enter a trial, please don't consider yourself a "quitter".  You have done all you can to remain here as long as possible.

The best you can do is gather the information your doctor will give you on Tuesday and then discuss it with candor with your loved ones.

May you be guided to the decision which is right for you.

Hugs,

Marie who loves kitties

tachilders

John23 said:

Jmaddox915 -

 

Re:

“I don't know if I really care anything about doing a trial to gain a couple of months, possibly being sick during this time.”

 

“I just want to be able to enjoy whatever time I have left as best I can.”

 

“Any opinions?”

 

You didn’t say what your stage was, or what conditions you’re facing, but…. Have you considered trying something else? There –are- other ways to fight cancer!

 

(read my CSN profile and “blog”)

 

I don’t like to see anyone “give up” because western medicine’s given up.

 

Wishing you better health,

 

John

Agree with John that now

Agree with John that now might be the time to try some non-Western approaches like TCM.  Can't hurt at this point, as modern, western medicine seems to not have anything left to offer.  I'm 46 (stage 4) and will likely be in the same situation at some point in the future, but I will definitely try anything to keep going, including trials or TCM, or both.  In fact, I may start TCM soon, if I can do it with my chemo.

 

Tedd

Chelsea71

Good luck with this very
Good luck with this very difficult decision. You could always start a trial and back out if you find it too difficult. I'm sorry you are in such a tough spot.

Chelsea

Trubrit

Heart wrencing decision

I am so sorry you have this decision to make. 

I see your picture, your little girl and I feel your pain. We all do. 

I also have a friend who is on a trial drug and has been for two years. Its not been an easy ride for him or his lovely wife, but he is still with us and not totlaly miseralble though he does have some nasty side effects (Its not colorectal cancer). 

I guess I'd want to know if the trials would give me months or years, and if I could live a somewhat active life while on the drug. 

Good luck with your decision. You have support here on the message boards. 

smokeyjoe

Trubrit said:

Heart wrencing decision

I am so sorry you have this decision to make. 

I see your picture, your little girl and I feel your pain. We all do. 

I also have a friend who is on a trial drug and has been for two years. Its not been an easy ride for him or his lovely wife, but he is still with us and not totlaly miseralble though he does have some nasty side effects (Its not colorectal cancer). 

I guess I'd want to know if the trials would give me months or years, and if I could live a somewhat active life while on the drug. 

Good luck with your decision. You have support here on the message boards. 

Do you ever go to the colon

Do you ever go to the colon club forum,   there are some on there that are in clinical trials  and seem to be doing well,  and without the chemo. side effects.  I'd check out that thread,  they have a clinical trial thread.  Maybe one of those would be an option to you in your area.    

BusterBrown

 
I'm sorry to hear that you

 

I'm sorry to hear that you have to make this decision at such a young age.  As a long time cancer fighter  I can understand why you would stop treatment, cancer is relentless sometimes.  However, I'm with the majority here, try the trial, if it turns out to be too much, walk away.  I wish you the best and peace be with you...

Buster

annalexandria

I am so sorry that you are facing this hard decision.

One thing to consider with clinical trials is that they really vary...some might have extreme side effects, while others would have virtually none.  I know one woman about your age who gained an extra year on a trial, and then was able to have surgery, go back on Xeloda, and seems to still be doing well at this point, one year after her surgery.  The clinical trials thread at the Colon Club would be worth looking at...there have been a couple of real success stories there.  But if you choose to take a different route, we are here to support you on the journey.  Sending hugs and strength your way~Ann Alexandria

Maxiecat

I also sorry that you have

I also sorry that you have come to this fork in the road.  No one can tell you what is the right answer...only you and your family can make that decision.  But 43, is so young...I am 46 myself.   I still want to fight as much as I can...even with my very rare signet ring cell cancer.   I am waiting on the results of my liver MRI that I had today.   The dr is concerned that it may have gone to my liver...which I guess would make me stage Iv.   One of the possible treatments for my kind of cancer is HIPEC...it has a very long recovery time...but if it will buy me more time with my family then I will do it.  Maybe you might want to consider some counseling to help you in the decision making process with your family

Alex

 

 

Maxiecat

I also sorry that you have

I also sorry that you have come to this fork in the road.  No one can tell you what is the right answer...only you and your family can make that decision.  But 43, is so young...I am 46 myself.   I still want to fight as much as I can...even with my very rare signet ring cell cancer.   I am waiting on the results of my liver MRI that I had today.   The dr is concerned that it may have gone to my liver...which I guess would make me stage Iv.   One of the possible treatments for my kind of cancer is HIPEC...it has a very long recovery time...but if it will buy me more time with my family then I will do it.  Maybe you might want to consider some counseling to help you in the decision making process with your family

Alex

 

 

renw

I am 44 with extensive tumour

I am 44 with extensive tumour load. First line chemo failed after just 5 cycles, onto second line, but that too will fail once my little mutants learn to adapt. So my prognossis is also not great but.... One in about 60000 cancer patients exerience spontaneous remission and are cured with no treatment. Research shows that in most cases this is as a result of some secondary infection that kick starts the immune system. This is why I believe that the only cure for the incurrable lies with my immune system. I am doing everything possible to support my immune system. GCMAF injection, missletoe injections, Beta Glucans etc. I also very much like the idea of Coley's Toxin, though I have not been able to find a source for this since mbvax closed production. Autohemotherapy may also be an option. There are also many immuno therapies available, dendritic cells, vaccines and onco viruses but one has to look for them and be able to travel.

The moral of my story, there is a whole world of options out there without chemo, just don't expect your tradiotional doctors to be of much help. You have to take your treatment in your own hands.