Lung Cancer Forum - Is Chemo Worth It?

Cancer > Lung Cancer Forum > Is Chemo Worth It?

Q: Is Chemo Worth It?

asked by: strawgrabber on July 30th, 2004

New User

My grama is going to be 78 in october. Three yrs ago she had a lul resection for adenocarcinoma. She ended up having several complications as a result of the surgery and spent four months in the hospital/rehab. We found out last week that she has a recurrence of the adenocarcinoma and the pet scan shows two spots in the lung that she had surgery on, and another spot in the other lung. In the lung that she had surgery on-it does involve the pleura. The oncologist is recommending chemo (taxol/carboplatinum) he says we'll try two rounds and do a cat scan to see if the tumor is responding. He said without chemo she has less than a year to live, but i'm afraid the chemo itself will do her in. It takes her 4-6 weeks just to recover from a bout of bronchitis! He said the chemo could extend her life an additional six months. Is that realistic? Would palliative care be better for her quality of life? Help please-we're supposed to start the chemo next week and I don't know if she should!

Replies(8)

purple333

replied on July 30th, 2004

Extremely eHealthy

Does your grandmother have all her mental faculties? If she does then the decision should be hers, no-one else's - I do understand what you are saying - & I am against prolonging life unless there is also a reasonable quality of life to prolong etc but at the hers.

I understand that the whole family will suffer to see her pain but it is her life. Talk to her about your concerns & fears - you nay be surprised - maybe she feels as you do but thinks that she is expected by the family to do this even though maybe she would rather not.

Communication(if full open & honest) often solves problems for everyone.

strawgrabber

replied on July 30th, 2004

New User

Is Chemo Worth It?

I agree that it is her decision and i'm just here to support her, but I think she needs to make an informed decision. If chemo lasts for six months and she feels like crap for six months and the result of chemo is going to add only an additional six months to her life expectancy....I would like to know if the life expectancy of less than a year (if she doesn't have chemo) sounds reasonable. Her ldh count is normal-so couldn't she live longer than a year??

purple333

replied on July 31st, 2004

Extremely eHealthy

Yes she might live longer - she might also go through all of the chemo etc & die just as soon as she would have without it - that's the thing only god knows - we can only make the choices that we feel are right for us based on what we know & what/how we feel at the time about the issue.

I knew an elderly man who was operated on & they just closed him up because he was "riddled" with cancer & wouldn't live more than a couple of months - no-one told him that & 3 years later he was still walkin up & down the hill daily to the shop!@!@

my mother was given a year (no treatment options were available in her case) but dies in only 2 months.

strawgrabber

replied on August 4th, 2004

New User

Is Chemo Worth It?

Just an update... She decided to try two rounds of chemo. At least then there won't be any regrets. She will see after the two rounds if she feels like she can handle the rest of the treatment. I will keep you posted. We were also told to contact hospice. The Dr. Said most people don't get to benefit from all they have to offer because they wait too long to contact them. I will keep you posted. Thank you for the advice.

purple333

replied on August 4th, 2004

Extremely eHealthy

Pray & work for the best but be prepared for the worst.

fgennuso

replied on December 31st, 2004

New User

My mom was diagnosed with 3rd stage lung cancer 2 years ago. She's 52 and a non-smoker. She did chemo and radiation. She was also on iressa. Nothing really worked. Without a miracle, there is no more hope. Chemo has made her bed ridden and she has decided not to under-go any more treatment's. I'm 28 years old and come from a very close knit family. I understand your fear and wish you and your family all the best.

Teamgano1

replied on January 30th, 2005

New User

Help I Hope

Miracles can happen as with the magic water from lll, this is a group for information, and cancer is only one of the many, that show signs of hope.

Just starting but very worth while joining to read & look over the links,

the product just starting in australia, canada, & us, but 2000 years of history, worth a look

lf777

replied on March 16th, 2005

New User

Hello

it is good that she went ahead with chemotherapy. While it can cause significant complications, the doses are adjusted for her, and she is monitored every cycle. If it is too hard on her the doctors will have to stop it.

Regards,

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