Second line chemo

Hi

I think the thing to remember is there are a group of patients who live for years treating stage 4 cancer as a chronic condition . A lot of people are on permanent maintenance chemo and do very well with it . You also might like to pop over to our friends on BowelcancerUK forum . They have a stage 4 section and you can see a few of the members medical history on their bios . They also moderate the forum and I think it would give you a broader view of how maintenance chemo is now being used . It has changed quite a bit in recent years .They are living very full lives . 

Its just my own opinion but for our family my mum going back to chemo for a second time opened up lots of options for treatment at the end of that second year . Keep reading and getting informed as it was such an encouragement to me even ten years ago . I think I mentioned to you my mum is entering her 11 th year as a stage four patient this summer . 

How does your dad feel about it ? You mentioned he has tumour regrowth , do you know the size and location ? The other thing we found helpful was seeing if there was a surgical option for her . Sometime Radio frequency Ablation can be used . Has the oncologist made any comments regarding using other agents to control the liver or lungs . 

Watching a relative restart chemo is daunting but if he feels up to it there can be great outcomes . I think the balance of quality life has to be struck and it’s definitely something to chat through with his oncologist. They reduced my mum’s dose the second year . Not only was it much easier but for her it still worked well . It’s very individual and your dad central to that process . I know just how difficult it is helplessly watching. At times I wondered if it was all worth it but my mum wanted to press on and it turned out a good option . But it’s helpful to chat it through with his team if he does decide to proceed how best to do that to still give him quality of life . 

How are you coping with it all ? 
Are you able to see him just now ?

Take care ,

Court 

Hi Chriso

I've read Court's reply to you, and I've been on this site for almost ten years and followed her mum's progress over the years and I know she's been a great inspiration to many of us on here.

I was stage 3 and up to now have been relatively ok, but I have always said that if I have to I would have treatment again.  Chemo is hard, and some days you really wonder why you're putting yourself through it, but we do get through it and quite often it is worth it.  But only your dad can make the final decision.

I also think that your dad needs all the information in front of him  and as Court says he need to talk it through with his consultant and you and other family members before he makes that decision.  There is always research going on and new drugs becoming available and so much more is now understood about the safety and side effects of these drugs.

It is so much harder to make these decisions at the moment but hopefully we will get through this Covid crisis very soon.  I'm certain that your dad's team will give him good advice and offer the treatment that they think is best for him; and if he does ahead they will also make sure that he is well looked after.

Talk as much as you can with your dad and support him in whatever decision he makes.  But also remember to look after you too.

Take care,

VickiLynne