We need help with a chemo decision
Find a Conversation
| Mon, 12-04-2006 - 11:35am |
My mother is now battling her third occurrence of breast cancer. It started 16 1/2 years ago with a few lumps in her right breast. She had a mastectomy and underwent chemo (I was only 11 at the time, so I don't remember exactly how long she had chemo. It was probably 6 months or so, but it felt a lot longer.) Her doctor told her she was 99.99% cured (because you never know when or if it could come back).
Fast forward about 11 years and she discovered a lump in her neck on the same side as the breast cancer. After much discussion between her three oncologists, they decided to remove it, then she underwent radiation. At that time, they felt they had pretty much taken care of it.
About a year later, they discovered some spots on her liver and a few spots on her bones. She was on Fosamax for about a year and then it lost its effectiveness. They then put her on 5FU for about 18 months and for a while it worked perfectly. The spots had almost gone away, but we just discovered that the spots are now back to their original size.
We now have a choice to make about which chemo to try next. Her doctor gave her a list of the possible chemos and my sister-in-law looked up the detailed information for each. In going through this list, it seems like they are all the same. Mom has talked to a few friends who have had different treatments for their breast cancer to see how they felt about the side effects and such.
I was wondering if anyone would be willing to offer their input on their experiences with these chemos. I understand that each body reacts totally different to the same chemo, but we are more interested in what side effects you experienced and how bad they were. Above all, if you were in the same situation again, would you try that chemo again or try another one?
Mom is worried about the quantity vs. quality of her life. She would rather live for six months feeling like herself than live for a year of complete hell. I have a 21-month-old niece, an 18-month-old son and a baby due the end of March. It kills me to think that they won't get to know their grandmother, but I don't want her to suffer in order to be here with us.
Any help you could offer would be greatly appreciaited. Thank you!

Follow me to my favorite boards!
Alcohol Problems Board
Hi JJ
Sounds like Mom is a fighter.
I posted on the Living with Cancer Board, but haven't heard anything from anyone there. Mom's oncologist called last night and wants to start her on Taxol and Avastin next week. They were supposed to have a meeting on the 15th to discuss what to do next, but apparently the doctor thinks it's urgent enough to start something sooner.
Thank you for your help!
I am so sorry about your mom. I had ovarian cancer 3 last year I was in bed for 9 entire months so sick from chemo. I knew from the first dose it was going to be hell. if she feels like it she could try it and see how she feels. I would not go that route again ..I would seek alternative medicine. My girls know that and I hope they would respect my decision should it need to be made. they are 32 and 35.
Deb