What should I do?
Discussion
I know it hard to get a right answer for my question as everybody is different, but I would like to get peoples opinion on what they think I should do.
In July this year I was diagnosed with rectal bowel cancer. When I was told I had cancer I was in shock, being 37 and, a very active person made it very hard for me to understand why this happened to me.
My life was in shock but, somehow i was able to deal with it and carry on with life as normal. It's amazing how your view of the world changes after you've been diagnosed with something like cancer. My attitiude before was money, money, work, stress and more money but, now it's no stress, don't care about money and more time with the people that love me. One of my friends used to moan all the time about his life and how he wished he was me ( I got a nice car, get paid good money and nice house) but, now he has changed his attitude and now aperciates the little good things he has in his life.
The tumour was removed in August. The location of the tumour was low, so I now have to wear a permanent colostomy bag. That was another shock to me, having to wear the bag for life and I'm only 37. The truth is I don't mind it, It's a reminder of what i went through. I also think it would deter me from going back to my old ways. My life has always been about making money, nothing else mattered, I use to believe that money was the answer for everything but, that not the case now as no amount of money would change what's happened to me.
I went to see my surgeon 3 weeks later, he told me the tumour was removed and 44 lymph nodes were also taken out, he said that I was very lucky because none of the lymph nodes were affected or had an cancerous cells in them.
I asked him if that meant I didn't need chemotherapy and he said I would need to wait until I've seen my Oncologist for the answer.
I saw my Oncologist last Wednesday. He said I didn't need it as my tumour was: Stage 2A (Dukes B) and he thought there was a low chance it would return, he also said that having Chermo would only benefit me by 3.5%.
The treatment I would be on, if I decide to take it would be Capecitabine, it would be taken for 6 months, I have tried to read up on this drug especially the side affects.
I'm not sure what to do as I don't think 3.5% is worth the side effects, or the other risks associated with doing chemotherapy.
I was thinking maybe try it out and, if the side effects are affecting my daily routine in a bad way then, I would stop taking it; but I'm not sure if that's a good idea.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Final words: Be very grateful for your health and don't take it for granted. Try your best to be as happy as possible, don't let little things stress you out as it's not worth it.
In July this year I was diagnosed with rectal bowel cancer. When I was told I had cancer I was in shock, being 37 and, a very active person made it very hard for me to understand why this happened to me.
My life was in shock but, somehow i was able to deal with it and carry on with life as normal. It's amazing how your view of the world changes after you've been diagnosed with something like cancer. My attitiude before was money, money, work, stress and more money but, now it's no stress, don't care about money and more time with the people that love me. One of my friends used to moan all the time about his life and how he wished he was me ( I got a nice car, get paid good money and nice house) but, now he has changed his attitude and now aperciates the little good things he has in his life.
The tumour was removed in August. The location of the tumour was low, so I now have to wear a permanent colostomy bag. That was another shock to me, having to wear the bag for life and I'm only 37. The truth is I don't mind it, It's a reminder of what i went through. I also think it would deter me from going back to my old ways. My life has always been about making money, nothing else mattered, I use to believe that money was the answer for everything but, that not the case now as no amount of money would change what's happened to me.
I went to see my surgeon 3 weeks later, he told me the tumour was removed and 44 lymph nodes were also taken out, he said that I was very lucky because none of the lymph nodes were affected or had an cancerous cells in them.
I asked him if that meant I didn't need chemotherapy and he said I would need to wait until I've seen my Oncologist for the answer.
I saw my Oncologist last Wednesday. He said I didn't need it as my tumour was: Stage 2A (Dukes B) and he thought there was a low chance it would return, he also said that having Chermo would only benefit me by 3.5%.
The treatment I would be on, if I decide to take it would be Capecitabine, it would be taken for 6 months, I have tried to read up on this drug especially the side affects.
I'm not sure what to do as I don't think 3.5% is worth the side effects, or the other risks associated with doing chemotherapy.
I was thinking maybe try it out and, if the side effects are affecting my daily routine in a bad way then, I would stop taking it; but I'm not sure if that's a good idea.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Final words: Be very grateful for your health and don't take it for granted. Try your best to be as happy as possible, don't let little things stress you out as it's not worth it.
What is the % of taking the Capecitabine over the Chemo? Surely if it's better % than 3.5% then go with whatever is going to give you the best chances.
There seems to be a few threads going at the moment with regards to Cancer. I'm sure someone will be able to give you some more sound advice than myself.
Just remember there's always someone here to listen and you're not on your own through this. Like you say, treasure your time on this planet, reading the 'Waiting is the hardest part' thread is enough to make anyone see life in perspective.
There seems to be a few threads going at the moment with regards to Cancer. I'm sure someone will be able to give you some more sound advice than myself.
Just remember there's always someone here to listen and you're not on your own through this. Like you say, treasure your time on this planet, reading the 'Waiting is the hardest part' thread is enough to make anyone see life in perspective.
Granville said:
What is the % of taking the Capecitabine over the Chemo? Surely if it's better % than 3.5% then go with whatever is going to give you the best chances.
There seems to be a few threads going at the moment with regards to Cancer. I'm sure someone will be able to give you some more sound advice than myself.
Just remember there's always someone here to listen and you're not on your own through this. Like you say, treasure your time on this planet, reading the 'Waiting is the hardest part' thread is enough to make anyone see life in perspective.
Hi,There seems to be a few threads going at the moment with regards to Cancer. I'm sure someone will be able to give you some more sound advice than myself.
Just remember there's always someone here to listen and you're not on your own through this. Like you say, treasure your time on this planet, reading the 'Waiting is the hardest part' thread is enough to make anyone see life in perspective.
Capecitabine is a form of Chemo. It's the tablet form of 5FU, It's normally given to people with stage 2 or stage rectal cancer.
goldblum said:
If there's a chance that the chemo will prolongue your health,then take it.
So you'll lose whatever hair you have left and maybe put on weight..so what?
I know what you're saying but, you have to remenber that Chermo is a form of poison, it can also do damage to your body than good.So you'll lose whatever hair you have left and maybe put on weight..so what?
Most people think chermo cures cancer but, it doesn't. it's only effective if you have cancer and in my case I'm told it's all being taken out.No leaks, not spread, so chermo is not going to be as effective as somebody that's a higher risk.
Also chermo does not gurantee that it wouldn't come back at a later date. I was told I had 24% chance of the cancer coming back so, having the 6 months chermo with all it's side effects would only give me a reduction of 3.5% chance of cancer returning.
It's really hard to decide.
I can see your dilema, but if it were me I'd go with the treatment and reduce the % of the cancer coming back as much as possible.
The Chemo wont gaurentee the cancer not returning, but then your doctors are already giving you the odds that the cancer could return anyhow. I know the word Cancer, Chemo and the likes scares folk, and I know you are saying that the drugs are poisons. Cancer is also a poison to the body and will in most cases kill you, I'd go with the side effects of the treatment at this stage and prolong my life on this planet.
Do you have family / friends etc to support you?
The Chemo wont gaurentee the cancer not returning, but then your doctors are already giving you the odds that the cancer could return anyhow. I know the word Cancer, Chemo and the likes scares folk, and I know you are saying that the drugs are poisons. Cancer is also a poison to the body and will in most cases kill you, I'd go with the side effects of the treatment at this stage and prolong my life on this planet.
Do you have family / friends etc to support you?
It's a tough one that. When I had chemo, there was no option, either I had it, or that was it.
However, I do know a bit about what you're going through. My first 2 courses of chemo were effective and from the PET scans showed that the cancer had been killed off. The Doc wasn't happy with this and so I went and had high dose chemo with stem cell support (a stem cell transplant.) This wasn't much fun and is potentially quite risky and in reality the only reason for doing this is that you have a smaller chance of it coming back. It took quite a while to get over it all, but I am so glad I did it (not that the Doc gave me any choice in the matter!)
I couldn't care less about the actual percentage that it dropped my chances of recurrance, the simple fact was that my long term survival is better after having had it (even though it does pose other risks for me in the long term) and the thought of having to go through treatment again fills me full of dread.
I'd simply ask the Doc what they'd do, if they say "I'd have it" then that's good enough for me. Chemo isn't much fun, but it's a lot better than cancer and chemo really isn't as crap as everyone thinks it is. It's hardly a riot, but it doesn't turn you into a bed-bound victim either.
However, I do know a bit about what you're going through. My first 2 courses of chemo were effective and from the PET scans showed that the cancer had been killed off. The Doc wasn't happy with this and so I went and had high dose chemo with stem cell support (a stem cell transplant.) This wasn't much fun and is potentially quite risky and in reality the only reason for doing this is that you have a smaller chance of it coming back. It took quite a while to get over it all, but I am so glad I did it (not that the Doc gave me any choice in the matter!)
I couldn't care less about the actual percentage that it dropped my chances of recurrance, the simple fact was that my long term survival is better after having had it (even though it does pose other risks for me in the long term) and the thought of having to go through treatment again fills me full of dread.
I'd simply ask the Doc what they'd do, if they say "I'd have it" then that's good enough for me. Chemo isn't much fun, but it's a lot better than cancer and chemo really isn't as crap as everyone thinks it is. It's hardly a riot, but it doesn't turn you into a bed-bound victim either.
Granville said:
I can see your dilema, but if it were me I'd go with the treatment and reduce the % of the cancer coming back as much as possible.
The Chemo wont gaurentee the cancer not returning, but then your doctors are already giving you the odds that the cancer could return anyhow. I know the word Cancer, Chemo and the likes scares folk, and I know you are saying that the drugs are poisons. Cancer is also a poison to the body and will in most cases kill you, I'd go with the side effects of the treatment at this stage and prolong my life on this planet.
Do you have family / friends etc to support you?
Hi,The Chemo wont gaurentee the cancer not returning, but then your doctors are already giving you the odds that the cancer could return anyhow. I know the word Cancer, Chemo and the likes scares folk, and I know you are saying that the drugs are poisons. Cancer is also a poison to the body and will in most cases kill you, I'd go with the side effects of the treatment at this stage and prolong my life on this planet.
Do you have family / friends etc to support you?
Thanks for the reply. I do have family and friends, the advise is divided between them. Some are saying go for it and others are saying don't bother. I've decided I would go for it but, my doctors are now saying they need to do further test to determine whether chermo is going to help me at all. The test would take 3 weeks and if it comes back as it would help I would do it but, if it comes back as no good then the choice is not mine as they wouldn't give it to me.
Thanks a lot.
Beemarman - If it were me it'd be a no, 3.5 % difference for 1 yr of 40 % less quality of life?
Chemo puts a huge drain on your body for the 6 months of treatment, when finished, a further 6 months to get back to where you were before treatment.
Presented with 3.5% difference and having experienced / seen the effects of Chemo, I'd find it an easy decision, for yourself it's not quite so easy.
Fear is a primal instinct there to protect us when there is no time to think. Sadly it makes decisions like this very difficult when you do have the time to think, your looking at the stats and bare facts which is a good thing, if you can, make your decision based on these alone.
Good luck, be strong and hope all goes well
Chemo puts a huge drain on your body for the 6 months of treatment, when finished, a further 6 months to get back to where you were before treatment.
Presented with 3.5% difference and having experienced / seen the effects of Chemo, I'd find it an easy decision, for yourself it's not quite so easy.
Fear is a primal instinct there to protect us when there is no time to think. Sadly it makes decisions like this very difficult when you do have the time to think, your looking at the stats and bare facts which is a good thing, if you can, make your decision based on these alone.
Good luck, be strong and hope all goes well
Sorry to hear you've had to go through this. 37 is way too young for that cancer and to be having a colostomy bag.
In answer to your question, if I had that particular cancer at my age (38), I'm a fit and active person, too, who also has more than a passing interest in complementary therapies and nutrition, my choice would still be to take the chemo to further reduce the chances of it coming back. I'd also be looking at potential causes for the problem - stress, eating, lack of sleep, overweight (you can be fit but overweight), smoking, unhealthy foods etc - and tackling them; while they don't guarantee bowel cancer, they increase the chances. For you it's no longer a case of "pah, it might happen but I'm going to just enjoy myself, you only live once" (which is frankly idiotic) but a reality so I would be looking at making major changes in my life. But, as Cilla Black used to say, the choice is yours (or was it Graham?).
As for your colostomy bag, perhaps speak to the relevant person about using an artery from your leg to rebuild your rectum. This might sound crazy but a client is having this done under one of England's top colo-rectal surgeons... before you thought I was offering to do it with my Swiss Army Knife.
In answer to your question, if I had that particular cancer at my age (38), I'm a fit and active person, too, who also has more than a passing interest in complementary therapies and nutrition, my choice would still be to take the chemo to further reduce the chances of it coming back. I'd also be looking at potential causes for the problem - stress, eating, lack of sleep, overweight (you can be fit but overweight), smoking, unhealthy foods etc - and tackling them; while they don't guarantee bowel cancer, they increase the chances. For you it's no longer a case of "pah, it might happen but I'm going to just enjoy myself, you only live once" (which is frankly idiotic) but a reality so I would be looking at making major changes in my life. But, as Cilla Black used to say, the choice is yours (or was it Graham?).
As for your colostomy bag, perhaps speak to the relevant person about using an artery from your leg to rebuild your rectum. This might sound crazy but a client is having this done under one of England's top colo-rectal surgeons... before you thought I was offering to do it with my Swiss Army Knife.
I think I would want to speak further with the consultant, now you have had sometime to think things through, I know nothing of bowel cancer, but I did have cervical cancer 13 years ago, for which I only had surgery, no further treatment since.
Maybe http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Home.aspx?utm_campaign... can help you further, I've often found it a very useful resource.
Maybe http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Home.aspx?utm_campaign... can help you further, I've often found it a very useful resource.
It is a very difficult descision to make - if only we could see into the future to see if it is worth it.
I think your desicion needs to relate to your personal situation. If it was me and I lived on my own, I would probably not bother - but that is not the case. I have a 5yr old daughter so that 3.5% would be worth it to give me a better chance to see her grow up.
I don't mean to be negative, but one question I would ask of the oncologist is - If you had the chemo, but unfortunately the cancer does return, would it affect what treatment is then on offer and consequently your future recovery?
Good luck with whatever desicion you make.
I think your desicion needs to relate to your personal situation. If it was me and I lived on my own, I would probably not bother - but that is not the case. I have a 5yr old daughter so that 3.5% would be worth it to give me a better chance to see her grow up.
I don't mean to be negative, but one question I would ask of the oncologist is - If you had the chemo, but unfortunately the cancer does return, would it affect what treatment is then on offer and consequently your future recovery?
Good luck with whatever desicion you make.
Don't do it.
I'll explain, chemo has an incredible effect on the human body. When my mother had chemo it knocked her for six, so badly that they decided that after two sessions they couldn't risk any more ever again!
When the cancer came back, it was literally game over.
If they tell you that the likelihood of it coming back are low and the benefit of chemo is low I would save it for a time when you may truly need it.
I'll explain, chemo has an incredible effect on the human body. When my mother had chemo it knocked her for six, so badly that they decided that after two sessions they couldn't risk any more ever again!
When the cancer came back, it was literally game over.
If they tell you that the likelihood of it coming back are low and the benefit of chemo is low I would save it for a time when you may truly need it.
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