Oncologist meeting yesterday ??

Hi HazG.

I'm on high dose fortnightly 5FU. I recently had to have a chemo break - it went against my natural instinct of wanting to fight the beast within, so after challenging my oncologist a bit about options, risks and benefits, i decided to accept his experience and expertise.

I think what helped me accept this was that he was clearly concerned about negative sides affects being more likely to be irreversible if i didn't break and then only return on reduced dose.

Could you take April to perhaps do lots of things your love and cherish with your daughter - sounds like you could both do with a little spoiling and re-energising.

But i would also say that if your appointment leaves you with uncertainty still strong after a few days, i'd suggest discussing your concerns with oncologist or specialist nurse - they may be able to settle things.

I completely understand your daughters concerns but as they say in stage 4 management it’s a marathon not a race . I think they have their eye on the other organs and also making sure it’s balanced out enough . My mum went on and off treatment initially . 
These are questions I need to get asking too . How long a break allows you to retain your same chemo combination without having to move onto a different one ?  That’s the bit I need to get a feel for and will be asking . 
I was thinking mum might like to add a few weeks in after her wee holiday at Easter  but she is having none of it just now . Maybe try for the summer . 

I think this is an area we could use more input in . Must look up the Nice guidelines and see what the rules are . 

My mum had a little regrowth but it went back down when she restarted treatment . We were comfortable with her having a break as she drew strength and kept her going over a longer period of time .

I think you have done very well .

I need to find out how many weeks off mum can have before it interferes with the funding here .

Everyday is a school day .

 CrumpetsOrToast 

Thats a good plan . The right time to plan something nice . Have you got anything planned yourself ? 

Just wondering if there is a benefit to starting a maintenance chemo thread where the eye is on treatment as a chronic condition . 

take care ,

Court 

Dear HazG

Try not to worry...The important point is to eat in a balanced fashion, exercise and do some things you enjoy.

As Court remarked its a marathon not a sprint. There are no definitively correct answers.

When you are..as am I a Stage 4 punter there are only marginal statistical benefits of additional cycles over a standard threshold. It sounds like you have had a lot of chemo so a break now and pick up again down the line might be right for you.

Thank you im also stage 4 trying to fight this horrible disease.

Hi I’m stage 4 too. Diagnosed last August after ten year clear. I’ve  not started treatment yet as it was all growing marginally a millimetre every 3 months so oncologist did not want to start too soon. I’m starting treatment 2nd June not looking forward to the pic line and pump. Never had that 10 years ago was just 4 hours infusion in hospital then oral tablets for 3 weeks with a week break in between.