Everyone above is right. We all have diffrent opinions when it comes right down to it but I would also have to agree to let your mom make that final decision. Everyone reacts differently to chemo and if your mom is healthy, the chances are that she will tolerate it well. And as far as time lines go, no one can really say. If she does well on the chemo it may give her years yet. The Drs do not really know, all they can do is speculate.
I have to agree that her quality of life will probably be worse if you just let the cancer progress. I was basically dying of my cancer when it was diagnosed 3 years ago. My Drs later lod me that they did not think I would last a year. Here it is 3 years later and though I am still on chemo (and always have been) I am still here and feeling great.
And yes you did read right. I have been on chemo now for 3 years. The only break I had was the 6 weeks after my surgery. Compared to the way I felt when I was diagnosed, well I never thought I would feel this good again.
So maybe you should rethink your decision and ask your mom what SHE wants to do.
Chris
Wow, I read these posts and your original post. We are in similar situations. My mom has decided no more chemo (she is 81). She is NOT afraid of death. She is at peace with her decision. The hospice people that are coming in and caring for her are amazing. She has NO pain. She is weak and very forgetful. She can get around using a walker. While I admire all the women on this site and find comfort in their strength and advise. I also think it is so important for you and your family to talk this over together. My mom chose to live with the cancer (hospice assisted) rather than the chemo (which almost killed her) she said it was a quality over quantity decision. Her children, are grown, she has had an amazing life, she is grateful for all she has - she is tired and knows that her time is limited. She has great faith and peace knowing that God is with her during all of this. That helps all of us who are with her. I will be praying for you & your mom. Meg
Kay ... the ladies have given you good advise. I have a few questions. How long ago did she have the surgery? Did she recover well? Does she have any other health issues? Can she manage to get around? The reason why I ask is because depending on her current health and her recovery from surgery will be the deciding factor as to what kind of chemo her doctor will prescribe. if you go in that direction. I talk with many of the chemo patients where I get my chemo. Some of the ladies are in their 80's and one lady was 95! I was so inspired by her. My doctor will give the elderly ladies low doses to start out with to see how they manage. One lady is on oral etoposide after she couldn't handle carbo/taxol...she is 82! Another is just doing Carbo. In my opinion letting the cancer take it's course might be a lot harder on your Mom than controlling it with chemotherapy. The approach could be "see how she tolerates the dose" and go on with treatment as she responds. Ask the doctor what kind of plan he has in mind. I would definately try a treatment. Please keep us posted.....Cindy
I have skipped over this post several times because I did not want to offend anyone.. But I decided this morning I have to put in my two cents..
WWWWWWWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOO (yes I am screaming) decided when you say WE decided no chemo... Why would YOU or any doctor make that decision of no chemo when it will give your Mom more time and possibly slow down her cancer...
Now if she alone made that decision to throw up her hands I respect that but the way this post was worded let me to believe she did NOT decide...She can always not do it... But to not even try.. and dying from cancer is no picnic...
They GAVE me 3 to 6 months with chemo and here I am 18 months later talking to you... NO ONE can tell your MOm how much time she has...
There are worse things than Chemo..and death is one of them.... I am sorry if my post has been rough.. its that everyday I battle to stay alive and have done so with quality... okay I am only 59 years old but that has no bearing and loving and wanting to be with ones family...
Give chemo a try.... and know that I hope you take this post with the intent it was made...Ronni
I would give the chemo a try. We are all different with how we react to chemo. If shes in pretty good health she might find it easy to take..and as stated above it can been given in smaller doese if you find it's too hard on her and taking her quality of life away. Not easy decisions to make I know that,good luck I will keep you in prayer~~~Joanne
The doctors can't tell how she will respond to chemo. They can't even determine how fast the cancer is growing or how aggressive, how easily it spreads, until they watch it grow after surgery. Some cell types are harder to treat and grade 3 usually grows faster and is more aggressive. It may also respond to chemo better. No one knows!!! How do they know she will only have an additional 6-8 months? Statistics are not accurate on a case by case basis. My sister was told she had over 50% chance to live 5 years, she lived 6 months. She would still be here if she had a less aggressive cancer. My point is find out about the cancer. What is the cell type and grade? She could have a long remission and cancer might not even be the cause of her death. I watched my sister go and I don't know how chemo could be worse. I agree with Marie if the Drs are offering chemo she must be in good enough health to tolerate it. They can monitor her. It's not like it use to be. At least try it. Can also look into estrogen receptive cancer and they have other drugs that treat that like tamoxifen. There is also non-chemo avastin. Many options. Research this board and ask questions or ask your Dr. Dr Goodman is a God send and I wish my sister would have had her as her Doctor.
I would say try the chemo. She may find she does well and it could give her alot more quality time. They can give fractionated doses of chemo which are easier to tolerate. There are also meds to help alleviate the side effects. If she finds the chemo is too hard she could then decide to discontinue. Whatever she decides I wish her the best and I am sorry this has happened to your family. Marie
there are no time lines, and sometimes living with cancer can be harder than living with chemo. It all depends on your Moms basic health, I know quite a few women in their 80ts that do the chemo route, at least they tell me, that it gives them time. I will tell you that unless your Mom takes pain meds, the cancer will overwhelm her system and be quite painful. Chemo does have side effects, her CA125 is low, I am 78 and I would take the chemo just for the time it gave me. This is only my opinion however.