Chemo now or wait and see

Hi  MKM  and a warm welcome to the board although I’m sorry to hear that your cancer has returned. There are lots of stories, particularly on the bowel cancer uk board, of people having chemo and successfully living with cancer for many years. 
What is the oncologists reason for the ‘see in 3 Months’? Is this so they can track the growth of the cancer or is there a maximum length of time that you can have the chemo for? Would you be having the same chemo as before or a different one that people could maybe offer their experience on?

Please keep posting and we’ll do our best to support you through this and don’t forget the support desk is there on the number below if you want to chat it through with someone 

Take care

Karen x

Hi Karen

It's a choice I can make as oncologist says its not urgent but can start now if I wish. 

Otherwise he will scan again in 3 months but if I become unwell while waiting I can start sooner. 

I was not good with any of the chemo they tried last time. They're going to try mildest again. 

My dilemma is should I wait? 

MKM

 MKM It’s a tough one isn’t it? I think if I was in that situation I’d start sooner rather than later rather than starting chemo once I already felt unwell? Having said that you might want to enjoy Xmas first? 
Sorry I’m not being much help - there’s for and against for both options. Perhaps a chat with the support desk would help?

Take care

Karen x

Hi

I appreciate your replies, it is difficult. 

I think I'm going to wait and enjoy my time while I'm well. 

I have been informed chemo won't cure the cancer, it will just be to control it. 

Seen as I feel rubbish when I'm on chemo I will risk waiting. If I become unwell before the 3 months I can start immediately.

Thanks again x

Hi MKM   I had 6 cycles of Capox chemo which is infusion of Oxaliplatine and tablets of Capecitabin for bowel cancer. I had the chemo drugs at a significantly lower dose because I have a 50% DPD deficiency. This is not uncommon and is  important. DPD is I believe tested well before chemo starts. Something to check perhaps.

If you are being offered a milder chemo (lower dosage ??) it may be a  good idea to start a little sooner and see how you get on.

All the best.