Please comment on my options

John23 said:

Options?

All chemotherapy chemicals are known to be carcinogenic.

No present chemotherapy chemical is known to target and kill individual
cancer cells specifically; chemo was designed to address tumors.

The oncologist is giving you an option to "wait and see", so why
not take that option?

I would look into the many "alternatives", including "juicing", since
building ones' immune system may do more for better health and
chances for survival, than any chemical around.

Your oncologist was honest enough to give you an option to
expensive and often useless therapy........ I would take that seriously!

Best wishes,

John

 

Thank you for your input. I understand your position on Chemo (having read your posts and blog). I fully agree with you. I did tell my onc that I'd rather hold out for at least 4 weeks (before my next visit). I will have blood tests 2 days before the visit and the results will be available on the day of my visit. During this period I will be seeking a professional second opinion and exploring other alternative options. Hopefully, things will be ok. Thanks again

Sander

Lovekitties said:

Hi Sander

A quick look at the internet was of little help for your question.  It seems that there is a divided opinion regarding chemo or not for stage 2.

Did you ask your oncologist why do chemo if there is no sign of disease in lymph nodes or any other organ?  Is the chemo to be considered an "insurance policy" just in case there are still cells there but to small to detect?

You mention bi-weekly observation with blood work once in a while.  I am not sure what the "observation" part would be since any issues would be internal and not visable to external observation.  If chosing this option, I would want to include a CT or PET scan about 6 months out to "see" if there are any areas of concern.

I personally feel that the chemo option is best put aside until needed. 

As always, it is the patient who must feel comfortable with the choice based on the best information available.  Perhaps a second opinion would help you make that decision.

Wishing you the best outcome,

Marie who loves kitties

I appreciate your suggestions (the insistence on CT or/and PET must be part of my follow up anyway). The chemo suggestion was something of an "insurance policy," as you put it.  He said there is no indication now for doing Chemo, but said certain experts suggest it in case there are loose undetected cells running around. However, he was all optimistic about my situation. I sensed he was a bit reluctant on the Chemo, but was careful not to sway my decision any which way.

A second opinion is most certain, and will be doing that soon before my next meeting with my onc. He in fact encouraged me to consult whoever I wish to consult.

Thank you Marie for your concern

Sander

Chelsea71 said:

I would recommend to hold
I would recommend to hold off on the chemo. Insist on frequent blood tests and scans. Look into diet/lifestyle options. Research TCM, cimetidine, modified citrus pectin etc... Big decision though. Do your homework. It's easy for me to give advise, but if it were me I honestly don't know what I would do.

Good luck!

Chelsea

I doubt it is easy to give an advice. You've taken the time to think it through, and you've been concerned as to what to say. All of that is not that easy. It is certainly laced with care and honest intention to help. That to me is more than enough. And thank you for all that advice to hold off on chemo. Most people try not to take a stand because they would not want to feel they are swaying one's decision, and that is understandable. Be sure, the final decision will be my own after weighing all variables. Thank you again

Sander

steved said:

Grey area

The role of chemo in stage two is a grey area and the benefits if present are small. However, the cost is fairly small too with xeloda being a generally well tolerated rug that is convenient to take. One factor to consider is how you as anindividual would respond of the cancer came back and yoahead turned down the chemo. It is about thinking 'I did everything reasonable I could to fight this disease'. Thepsychological impact ofthese decisions is important to consider.

 

Justanother dimension to add to your dilemma sorry. Ultimately the decision is yours but I can tell it will be a well informed decision and you are doing the right thing tdevelop lop your knowledge at this stage,

 

Steve

Thank you Steve for your in put. It is a dilemma. and I have to put down the ground to accept whatever results I have to face in the future. I am most certain (that is how I now think) that cancer will return. It first grew and I cannot see any reason why it should not regrow back sometime in the future. I have no knowledge how it forms at first, but there must be some defect that contributed to its inception. That defect seems to be untreatable. At least I have 4 weeks to make up my mind. Two of the four were decided by the oncologist himself (he said we cannot start xeloda before two weeks) and the other two I asked for if possible and he said that is fine since that will be within the time window he is looking for to have blood tests. During this time I am putting together a diet plan and excersises and taking my case to other professionals for a second and perhas third opinions.

As for xeloda, the onclogist said as things stand now per my case he would be advising nothing other than this kind of medication.

Thanks again

Sander

Chelsea71 said:

A man I know who is in his
A man I know who is in his seventies has finished taking oral Xeloda for cc. He has not noticed any side effects. I think like Steve said, it's quite tolerable.

Chelsea

Thank you for bringing up this actual experience. In fact my oncologist said something similar to what Steve and you have confirmed. He said it is highly tolerable and has few side effects (depending on one's general health). He was a bit concerned, however, about the time of the surgery to start it (If I were to opt for Xeloda). He suggested we wait for two more weeks before putting on this medication. And did not see a problem with 4 weeks (a period I asked for) before I make up my mind.

Thank you once more

Sander

thxmiker said:

Milk Thistle Tabs

I also agree with Phil.  (Don't even get me started on Guava juice on the scalp....  lol)  

 

There are many types of cancer and many types of Chemo. Chemo Drugs are effective on many cancers, but not all.  Everyone reacts a little differently to each regimine, be it exercise, diet, suplements, or chemo. My attitude is to make my body as strong as posible to fight cancer. Mental strength is needed also. 

 

Back to the reason I posted:  Look up Milk Thistle Tabs and resources are readily available.   (Walgreens, CVS, Walmart and Target all have Milk Thistle Tabs.  If your local store does not have it, one can order online and have it delivered to the store for no cost shipping at all mentioned stores.)

 

Best Always, mike

Thanks for your response. I visited a natural/herbal store and found it there. Still not sure whether or not I should use it. I have to read a bit first and ask a nutritionist.

Thank you again

Sander

PhillieG said:

Sander

Remember, you're unique...just like everyone else :-)

It can be overwhelming to say the least and I think we all look for some guidance based on people who have been there or are still there. This site has been helpful to me and many others.

 Just how oxymoronic a statement can be: "you're unique...just like everyone else :-)"! With this statement you outdid your earlier quote "other than cancer your life is perfect"! I sneeked into your INSPIRING page to understand where all this have come from!

yes; it is overwhelming; and yes we look for some guidance. And YES this site is wonderful. I would not know what to have done if it were not for this board. My god, your experience is a valuable lesson to anyone.

Thank you and best if luck

Sander