CHEMO OR CANCER

I don't want to seem cynical about this subject since I have had many discussions with all the wonderful people on this site about many subjects. I had a lung primary that was removed (adenocarcinoma) in Feb.
I had a metastasis ( six months later) to my right adrenal gland (adenocarcinoma) removed in Sept.
The metastasis was quick in coming after being only Stage 1 after the lung primary. I am faced with the
prospect of being decimated by long doublet chemo.
Right now, NED temporarily. Well, the lung surgeon said "cure". The metastasis surgeon said get to chemo right away. You wonder what will do you in
first. An early metastasis means a high probability that even heavy chemo doublets will not stop the beast. I remember one Doctor who wrote an article in a journal on Cancer that it's not the disease that kills most people, it's the treatment. The Quality and Quantity of LIfe. I'm 66, and want to live a lot longer but not with the long suffering that comes with chemo.
I have to try different alternatives like single agents to see what poison does work on me. After all this time and the "infusion" of research funds and today's technology only comes up with poision being injected into your veins. Gotta be a better way. Tony590

By peyz33
Posted November 1, 2008 at 3:54 pm
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tony - I'm sorry - but have you ever had chemo? It's not hal;f as bad as you think it is - it's temporary - it won't kill you and unless you are an OLD 66 - it's worth going through in order to be sure that all the cancer cells have been killed or removed. My surgeon told me I needed adjunctive chemo "because he was not GOD" - so if your surgeon said he "cured" you I would take a HUGE grain of salt along with his words - do the freeking chemo - it's not all that terrible - and it's not forever - but death is - just my opinion - I am 53 - had my right lung removed and did 16 weeks of cisplatin and vinobine chemo and have had 2 clean NED scans - I am happy that I did the chemo - I wasn't happy then mind you - but I am now. Hoping that your choice is the right one for you!
Karen

By Tony590
Posted November 1, 2008 at 4:51 pm
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No, I never had chemo and I'm not looking forward to it. I am a young 66 and want to stay that way without being f..... up by the treatments. I'll try single agent treatments to see what works. The doctors are not God and they are wrong more often than not. I''m glad in your case it worked. I hope you stay NED.
Tony590

By Tony590
Posted November 1, 2008 at 5:32 pm
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Thanks Karen: I hope the single agent treatments work for me. There are many people on this site who took doublet treatments only to find out 2 months later that it didn't work. 2 months of suffering. But I am hopeful and staying positive that the course I choose will be the right one. Tony590

By skeptic
Posted November 1, 2008 at 5:41 pm
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I am 51 and was Stage IV and inoperable. I did the same chemo's as Karen and gave up 4 months.....but Dr. said I only had about 8 without treatment. That was over a year ago and I have been NED since Jan 08. That was MY choice and for me it was the right one. I feel better today then I have in over 2 years and I only found out I had cancer in Sept of 07!
I hope your choices work out as well for you and I will keep you in my thoughts.
all the best to you

By Tony590
Posted November 1, 2008 at 5:46 pm
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Thanks skeptic: I'm glad everything turned out OK.
You're one of the lucky ones. I am NED, right now.
I just have to chart my future course. Tony590

By Ramona
Posted November 1, 2008 at 6:21 pm
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My understanding is that adrenal mets are VERY common. My understanding is that you can survive them.
I personally know a woman I met at Cedars who was dx with adenocarcinoma lul in 2000 followed by removal of lul.
She has since had adrenal, brain and a near adrenal met. She did what she was told (mostly surgeries & radiation) each time and is still alive and working.

By Ramona
Posted November 1, 2008 at 6:32 pm
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Tony,
Have you looked into alternative treatments, supplements, meditation, exercise? All of these things can be useful. I highly recommend them. However, they take commitment, effort and time. I do what I can afford.
I have had an easier time than many with chemo & radiation & surgery. I think it is largely because of the alternative and that I was healthy to begin with. It still was difficult, depressing, horrifying, lonely. It is superior to the alternative as far as I can guess. I hope it means I have saved my life. And yes I agree with you about poison, burning and cutting: it is barbaric. I want to live long enough to realize a better way.
Alkaline water and staying hydrated are both of value; they cost almost nothing.

By JustLisa
Posted November 1, 2008 at 11:12 pm
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Just a thought I did chemo cysplatin and taxoteer.. and it only killed the cancer and the spot was completly gone.. although after 4 mo of chemo I proceed to have my left lung removed whoopie!! it only made me tired for a few days of being really tired.. and maybe wearing a wig for a few months was the biggest problem.. so as far as sick and dying from chemo if it gives you life its a no brainer.. so you should really consider it .. it woirks.. and so does prayers..
god bless you tony and good luck//
Lisa

By FrankClem
Posted November 2, 2008 at 6:02 am
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These are all success stories and way to go to you all. I'm nearing the end of my 30 radiation treatments and 2 6-day rounds of cisplatin and v-16. I feel as though the pain has resided from my back almost to a point that it's not there anymore. I have a PET scan coming up and we're supposed to talk about surgery. I hope I get as good news as you all do.
As far as the chemo goes, it wasn't easy, nope, but it wasn't as terrible as I thought it was going to be. I sat with many in their 70's who were pulling it off. You can do it, Tony. I'm always saying throughout this "no pain, no gain". But, make the right choice for you, buddy.
~Frank

~Frank

By mitziger
Posted November 2, 2008 at 2:02 pm
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Tony, I truely understand your feelings, I guess I wouldn't doubt the treatment if I were in your shoes and have had the metastisis. I know you want to do everything you can to live, please ask God for the answers that is what I am doing. You really do need to do something to stop it in its tracks and I guess treatments have put people in remission for a long time and it can be stopped they say. Give it a try, you might not have any trouble with the treatments, some don't have and continue working. God Bless

By Tony590
Posted November 2, 2008 at 5:19 pm
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Hi Frank: What do the Vitamin C treatment do for you? Anything at this stage would be helpful. Have you taken the Vitamin C? Tony590

By Tony590
Posted November 2, 2008 at 5:22 pm
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Hi Mitziger: I am truly pondering every possible way of dealing with this. Single agent treatments. The standard doublets. I have to do something since the metastasis increases your risk of the cancer spreading. Oh, I want to Live. I hope the decision I make will be the right one. Tony590

By D1
Posted November 2, 2008 at 7:24 pm
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Dear Tony,
First, you are right, quality of life is very important. But, you can suck up some temporary suffering if it means you have a better chance at life.
In 12/06, my husband had VATS, was a Stage 1 B....due to the B....he was told to get Adjuvant Chemo. He did. It was AWFUL....the two infusions were worse than the surgery. HOWEVER, after the two infusions (they only did 2 of a planned 4 because he developed neuropathy), he got stronger day by day. I would say it took a good 6 mos. to get over the chemo and an entire year to get over the neuropathy. But, Tony, he has been NED for 23 mos. now. It's as if he never was sick. There are no guarantees in life and I'm sure the chemo will be awful, but it's short term. If it buys you a new lease on life, it was worth it. I wish you luck whatever you decide. You have to live it; so, I support you whatever you choose. But, in my husband's case....he had a few bad mos. due to chemo, but he's been really well ever since. We do everything he ever did before cancer except downhill ski.....Good luck, Tony.

By mamavan31
Posted November 2, 2008 at 7:32 pm
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Tony

My mom was 80 in oct 07 when she was diagnosted with stage 3b nsclc, she cant have surgery because it spread to the lympnoids, she had 6 months of chemo no radiation and she did great...slowed her down quite a bit but I dont think the chemo slowed her down as much as her fall resulting with a broken hip...
Right now she is doing fine, the worst side effect she had was hair loss and neuropathy to her hands and feet which the onc said may come back slowly
I think you would be making a big mistake not having the chemo

Linda

By Tony590
Posted November 3, 2008 at 8:33 am
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Hi D1: Your husband's experience with chemo is what makes me hesitate to undergo treatment. I know you have to sacrifice to live in my sitiuation.
They want to give me 4 rounds of chemo since I had a metastasis to the adrenal gland after being Stage 1 lung cancer. I anticipate the side effects and the long term effects. D, what is neuropathy? I've heard that word frequently. Something that chemo does to you. I am trying to make the right decision and I really appreciate your input. God Bless Tony590

By Tony590
Posted November 3, 2008 at 8:37 am
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Linda: You're probably right. Neuropathy? What is this side effect? I've heard about it frequently. I know that you have to sacrifice to live in my situation.
It's and awful long haul with the 4 rounds of chemo they want to give me. I am trying to make the right decision. God Bless Tony590

By mamavan31
Posted November 3, 2008 at 5:31 pm
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I feel so bad for all the people that have to live with this horrible horrible disease! But it can be fought....
Neuropathy is a tingling and numbness (more or less nerve damage) that she has in her hands and feet, from my understanding you do not get it with all chemo. Most of my moms chemo was a cocktail of taxol and carboplatin and taxol was the one that did it so they switched her to taxitere but by that time it was too late. From what the onc says they judge the recovery of neuropathy in months not weeks, for an example she could see a difference in 6 months, then 12 then 18 so on....
You hang in there and be strong, I will add you to my prayers.....
Keep us posted on your progress

Linda

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