Where can my cancer spread while I am on a chemo "holiday?"

Where can my cancer spread while I am on chemo holiday? I am on a month long chemo "holiday" and return next week to see my medical onoclogist to discuss whether or not to stay on "holiday" or resume chemotherapy.  My diagnostic CT scan done in June showed the enlarged lymph node (positive for metastatic ovarian cancer last September) had shrunk from 1.8 cm to 7 mm.  My history:  I am now 55 years old.  In June 2000 I had a complete hysterectomy (ovaries removed) due to advanced endometriosis (I had been living with painful menstrual periods since the age of 13 and yes - had routine gynecolgical care.) In 2004 I was diagnosed with endometrioid ovarian cancer, had laparoscopic surgery followed by chemotherapy for 4 months - 6 treatments (I was very sick), and appeared to be cancer free for several years.  There was in more recent years some some minor "lighting up" off and on of a lymph node in the left iliac chain on PET/CT scans that I had done every 3-4 months.  In 2008 my surgical oncologist actually did laparoscopic surgery with the intention of removing the lymph node that he suspected was cancerous.  After surgery he told me he could find nothing wrong with any lymph node - he either missed it or I was cancer free.  In the fall of 2009 I started chemotherapy again (guess he missed it), and PET/CT scans as well as diagnostic CT scans indicated I could stop chemotherapy in Dec 2009.  I started feeling sick in February 2010, was sent to a medical oncologist by my surgical oncologist who no longer does chemotherapy, and started chemotherapy again in April.  My surgical oncologist told me the lymph node cannot be removed due to its location - next to a vein, a nerve and the SI joint - so chemo is the only way to treat it.    I am very sensitive to the chemo drugs - always nausous even with meds and very tired.  (Complicating my picture is that I have FSH muscular dystrophy and lost my ability to walk independently after two serious falls and broken bones in 2008 and 2009.  Prior to that time I was rather unsteady on my feet but managed to be mostly independent. Since losing my ability to walk I have become depressed quite a bit as well. I also have degenertive spine disease in my lower back and have severe arthritis in my left shoulder as well as a partially torn rotator cuff.  The left shoulder problems are a result of me trying to regain mobility after falling the first time.)  Despite my overload of medical problems I want to live as long as possible - I have not given up.  Technically I am on break from my third round of chemotherapy.  How much longer can this go on?  I know the chemo is supposed to keep the cancer in check.  I am so reluctant to resume chemotherapy (last time I was desperate to resume because I felt so sick) but I wonder where can the little cancer cells go and take up residence while I am trying to enjoy my time away from treatment?  ("Enjoy" is any day when I am less nauseous and less tired and can enjoy my family, friends, dogs and cats, and the outdoors - just looking outside on a beautiful day is sometimes enough - and eating without feeling sick!) Any insights would be most appreciated.  Thank you!


This discussion is related to Recurrent ovarian cancer in lymph nodes.