90 year old mother, 3 weeks after colonectomy with cancer metastasized in lungs is offered chemo. Good or bad idea?

Former Member over 4 years ago

1 reply
152 subscribers
843 views

My name is Caroline. I am a 60 year old daughter in recovery myself from Breast cancer which was treated last year.

Now my mother , aged 90, has a cancer diagnosis

I am wondering if the side effects for my mother who has just had a tumor removed from her colon and has 10 cancerous nodules in both lungs, with largest 12mm in diameter, will prove too much. Though they haven't said the stage yet, it seems from my googling that it is Stage IVA as it has spread to the lungs - though not in abdomen as yet. She is mentally fine but physically frail, though fully mobile, only 3 weeks after major surgery. I fear the treatment will be too much for her and prove less useful than opting for no treatment at all and just getting on with life.

They are offering Capecitabine tablets followed by intravenous Oxaliplatin if she tolerates first course ( 21 days) of the tablets.

is anyone out there with experience?

Thank you

court over 4 years ago

Welcome

So sorry to hear about your mum !
It is such a hard decision as you are always seeking to strike the balance between quality of life and disease control that ensures she does not get more troublesome symptoms from the cancer itself .

They sound as though they are going to take it slowly and tailor it to her needs . At any point in time she can stop the process or ask for it to be reviewed. Chemo can also be adjusted !

If after initially trying her team could be contacted if it did not work for her . She would not have to continue to the end . It’s a decision I would find very hard too . How does your mum feel about it ?

Take care ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000