Question

UncleBuddy
UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

I've been busy between dad and my brother. I haven't been on in a while.

I brought my brother to a new cardiologist that is closer to home and one who I respect. He sent my brother for a MUGA scan on Friday. He had one back in early Jan/Feb when he was hopspitalized. He had an ejection fraction of 45% then. He has been on a low dose of chemo since then. The scan he had on Friday showed that he has a 25% ejection fraction rate. The cardiologist said that we have to talk to his oncologist to see how she wants to proceed. He will also speak with her to fill her on. 

Obviously, his heart has taken a beating from the chemo. Do you think this will be the deciding factor for them to stop the chemo?

He feels okay, but he's not an active person to begin with. Exercise is not in his vocabulary, even taking short walks.

I was wondering if anyone else out there has had an ejection fraction rate that was this low and what did thet do?

Thanks.

Lin

PS A little good news: My daughter is expecting a little boy in March. I will have a granddaughter and grandson. I am so excited and feel so blessed.

Comments

  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #2
    Ejection fraction rate

    This type of scan was new to me, so I did some checking on it.  Apparently a healthy heart ejects 50% of the blood in the left ventricle with every heart beat.

    It does seem that the chemo may have caused the decline.

    His oncologist may want to stop, lower the dosage again, or determine if there is another chemo.

    Prayers for him and you that there are options and congrats on the new babies who will enter your life.

    Hugs,

    Marie who loves kitties

  • UncleBuddy
    UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member
    #3
    Lovekitties said:

    Ejection fraction rate

    This type of scan was new to me, so I did some checking on it.  Apparently a healthy heart ejects 50% of the blood in the left ventricle with every heart beat.

    It does seem that the chemo may have caused the decline.

    His oncologist may want to stop, lower the dosage again, or determine if there is another chemo.

    Prayers for him and you that there are options and congrats on the new babies who will enter your life.

    Hugs,

    Marie who loves kitties

    Thanks Marie

    His oncologist called and said that she needs to speak with the cardiologist. She said they may be able to switch him to different chemo meds, but she won't know until they have a chat. There is a possibility that he may need to stop chemo. My poor brother has been through so much. I feel so bad for him.

    Lin

  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    #4
    That is out of my realm. I

    That is out of my realm. I just want you to know that I am thinking of you and your brother.

  • UncleBuddy
    UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member
    #5
    janderson1964 said:

    That is out of my realm. I

    That is out of my realm. I just want you to know that I am thinking of you and your brother.

    Thanks Jeff

    I have a feeling that I won't know anything more until his appointment on Thursday. The cardiologist believes that the chemo caused his heart issues, especially the chemo he had in 2000 when he had NHL. They had given him a combination of meds called CHOP. Apparently, it causes a lot of issues down the line. Joe Metz also had NHL and then got colorectal cancer later on. His and my brother's medical history was pretty similar.

    Anyway, time will tell. I just have to stay positive. I have so many wonderful things happening in my life right now, so I need to focus on that. Smile

    Lin

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