FOLFIRINOX - new prognosis by reducing?

Hi Emma081 and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

I'm not a member of this forum but noticed that your post hadn't had any replies. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list.

While you're waiting for replies, it would be great if you could put something about your father's diagnosis and treatment to date into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

Hi Speak to the Clinical  Nurse Sprcialist attsched to his Consultant. They will bd able to advise and spport 

Hello, its difficult to answer a very specific question in relation to his chemo regime..but, the way to view it I think is, some is better than none! All of the drugs will impact his health and yes the strong, most potent one you mention is being missed out, so that will help with how he tolerates it. Could it not be reduced, rather than skipped completely, or is that just not feasible? it differs very much with person to person.

My Dad, when he was having Folfirinox following surgery, found a reduction was easier to tolerate and his platelet count wasn't so drastically affected.

When he had a different type of chemo further down the road, he managed this much better- they were Abraxane and Gem...I forget the long name! A much gentler type of chemo regime, but usually used for a more palliative approach.

What have the nurses said about it, or the Oncologist?

Hi its just so hard to provide a difinative prognosis.My husband is on a lower dose of chemo because of his age. The consulitant calls it a punchy dose but what does that mean, Hes had to miss doses cause of blood levels and we dont know the impact of that. In fairness I dont think even the consultant could measure the impact if we asked him. My husband has another  CT scan next month and that will give us a realistic picture of how things really are.Its unimaginably hard and you like me just want answers but sometimes they are more complex. I understand your need for them and you could ask the consultant but meanwhile you are not alone I know how scary this journey is and Im thinking about you and your family and hoping you get the answers you need.

We got to the stage where we thought what's the point of chemo if you're just going to feel so ill all the time. If they can alter the dose or regime to a manageable level it perhaps strikes the right balance between fighting it and quality of life