Chemo v Corona

Hello I have incurable breast cancer on chemo since 2019 with good results.When the covid started i was offered if I want to carry on with chemo or suspend it.Well I am taking the risk and I am carrying on with chemo.I am practising a good hygiene,wearing face masks evwrywhere,cleaning our flat regularly.

Before chemo I was in agony because of my lungs i couldnt even walk or eat because of spitting phlegm and choking on food.I dont want to suffer in pain again.The thing is that covid will stay here for a while and I dont want to die of cancer yet.

But you have to decide which way you want to go and think about pros and cons.

Janet

Thank you so much for your reply Janet

i am lucky enough to be pain free for now so my decision isn’t as hard as yours must have been

i really hope you manage to overcome the discomfort for as long as possible and thank you for your encouragement x

Hi  and welcome to the Community.

This is a tricky decision but the bottom line is COVID is not going away anytime soon so can you afford to delay your treatment indefinitely?

This Community is organised into various support groups. This is the list for our Cancer specific Groups. Have a look through and find the best group for your type, join the group then hit ‘start a discussion’ and you are ready to  connect with people on the same journey.

All the best.

Thank you for your reply and advice.

Tim

Hi Tim l was diagnosed with cancer and told l couldn't get the op l needed in mid march. l was terrified of both having cancer and catching coronavirus whilst in hospital.

l pushed for the operation, reasoning l could take my chances against the virus but not the cancer. l am pleased to report that the op was a success and l have just had my 3rd session of chemo.

Personally l wouldn't postpone treatment, who knows how long we will be in this position with this horrid virus. Get your treatment while you can, after all there could be a second wave yet

All the best 

Hi , this is such a very personal decision and one that is also perhaps best understood by your own cancer group and reposting their when you join it. I say this because cancers grow at different rates, and treatment for some may easily catch up once reinstated, where as for others a gap is more risky. You have also seen that people do tend to get different levels of pain. Different areas of the country also have different levels of risk, I’m thinking Leicester has been in the news a lot, and online news usually has a check your area and list of those where things are more difficult. At the start things were perhaps not as well organised for keeping patients spaced out for treatment, navigating corridors etc.

With me I recognise that a decision made at the height of the corona virus would be very different a few months later when things are more under control but not gone. I made a decision back in early April to have a treatment break as for me fear of the virus for me and my husband outweighed the fear of a break in treatment, like you I had no pain but I did get fatigue from treatment. I had been on treatment for nearly 2 years, immunotherapy which treats your body to attach the cancer and stays in the system for some time afterwards, drs felt a gap was possible until July but if I felt anything returning then they would get me in quicker. It was a very hard decision to make and I was told there was no right decision and so alternatively there was no wrong decision. In April I did not want to share that info as I did not want my choice to have a gap to influence others it is so personal. I also found that strong views around the site to continue treatment when perhaps Drs were advising a gap was best, was not helping me feel confident in my decision. In late May I contacted the hospital as I could feel a lump come up they arranged for a CT scan a restart of treatment then an MRI and I’ve had a further CT scan last week. I had no doubt about restarting treatment when I felt that lump, all my noble thoughts about protecting my husband from my exposure to hospital fled as to my hopes that perhaps that my body would keep things away and a longer gap would be great. I say no doubt but actually it was a bit of a tussle to make a Uturn, reminding myself that the decision then was right and that this was a new decision. Janet has echoed my thoughts of how safe she has felt in the hospital, a bit nervous at first as some people hovering in corridors or at doorways seemed oblivious of keeping a distance and wearing masks for everyone wasn’t a thing. I’m due to go again on Sunday I know my husband will have to use hand gel after touching the car park machines, and he can’t go in with me while I have my treatment, the spacing between patients and the waiting area before I enter is good and everyone is wearing masks, and things are being sterilised. If there is a second big wave and if my cancer is under control again I might have a second break if it’s offered but I also feel my team will not offer it unless they think it’s safe. 

My treatment is working again after restarting reducing 4 lymph nodes but one different lymph node has enlarged not responded yet but the feeling is it will. With me when I wasn’t sure about the first decision to stop after talking to the oncologist I also spoke to my specialist nurse about conditions in the hospital. To restart I had seen the conditions for myself at the scans and for a blood test, and I suppose the decision was made easier by the fear of the cancer now outweighing the fear of the virus even though it’s the virus that is continuously on the TV. With immunotherapy (and I know you mentioned chemo) a break is usually offered after 2 years this is compulsory in the guide lines for some cancers, and for others is seen as a chance to reduce side effects and to see if a complete response or stability is reached without the drug. I think you will be able to gather lots of opinions but you must do what’s right for you, I was Comfortable with my decision but not comfortable with my decision being lead by negative thoughts rather than positive thoughts, but there is uncertainty about who might cause an infection, how long might the cancer remain stable without treatment. So gather as much facts as you can and then think about your gut feeling which decision would you feel happier with or more uncomfortable with.

Good luck.

Thank you so much for your reply K. There certainly is a lot to think about in there. It’s incredible how many people have such different opinions on my situation. I believe an answer will filter through to me soon and once identified I will stick with that decision. Thanks again