Afraid to say it!

mlbrooks852
mlbrooks852 Member Posts: 67
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
After two consecutive CT and PET scans and an esophageal ultrasound after Dale's semi recovery from a fractured left hip were all negative for cancer, our oncologist has decided to stop the chemo. We have completed five out of twelve rounds of Folfox. The oncologists words were....."am i 100 per cent sure that this is the right decision? No, I am not.". We are to return at the end of March for repeat scans and a repeat esophageal scope. Dale has regained his appetite, and is slowly improving physically. He weighs 145, down from 205.

Please pray for us that the right decision was made, and that he will continue to improve. We are thrilled for the break from the chemo, but we are also very nervous. The stage of Dale's cancer was 2b, and he had MIE in April of 2010 I know that one year after diagnosis is a significant milestone, and we are getting close to that.

Happy Holidays to all of you. It has been so wonderful to have such a great resource.

Mary Lou

Comments

  • sal314
    sal314 Member Posts: 599 Member
    #2
    I'm Totally with You
    in the nervous department! I'll be praying that the break will allow his body to get stronger and he can gain some of his weight back. I think it's somewhat for lack of a better word..."cool"...that your doctor was humble enough to share his thoughts with you about whether or not he's 100% sure of his decision. That says that he really does care and wants to do whats best for Dale! And he must have a good reason be making the decision he is.
    You have to make the decision to trust the doctor, trust God and go with the flow.
    Not easy, I know.

    My father is on a "break" as well. His situaton is different...he's stage IVb with mets to the liver and spine. He's been doing really well, but the doctor wants to give his body a rest. The chemo he's been on has kept things stable since it spread to his spine, which happened when he was on a "break" last time! His newest scans showed no new spots and the old ones where "unchanged" which is the best we could ask for. But the feeling of doing "nothing" for almost a month is just really scary. Especially since he's having no issues with swallowing or eating and he's actually gained weight since being diagnosed back in March. Honestly, none of us expected him to still be with us for Christmas. It's truly a blessing to have him still here and he's feeling and looking good.

    Wishing you and Dale a very happy holidays and HEALTHY 2011!

    Blessings,
    Sally
  • linda1120
    linda1120 Member Posts: 389
    #3
    This is Wonderful NEWS!
    MaryLou, I am so happy for you and Dale. This is wonderful news and I truly understand your nervousness. Have a very Blessed Christmas and thank the Good Lord for his mercy.

    God Bless,

    Linda
  • sandy1943
    sandy1943 Member Posts: 824
    #4
    Mary Lou, this is
    Mary Lou, this is celebrating news. My post op chemo was stopped after a 1/2 round because of a blood clot. The Doctors advice then was to except Quality life instead of Quanity and to turn it completely over to God. I was upset, but did trust God. That was two years ago and I still test cancer free.
    I know with the great news you all will have so much joy this holiday season.
    Merry christmas, Sandra
  • cmn412
    cmn412 Member Posts: 69
    #5
    Will keep you in my prayers
    Mary Lou & Dale

    The CT and Pet scans were good news. I will keep you both in my prayers and hope the two of you have a wonderful holiday.

    God bless
    callie

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