cancer sucks

[salixbabylon]

Does anyone know *anyone* who has benefitted from chemotherapy? As in, it got rid of the cancer?

I have a loved one who is trying to decide if it's worth it.

Comments

[wusswoo.livejournal.com]

My friend hand a combo of surgery (lumpectomy), chemo and radiotherapy for an aggressive type of breast cancer, and she's been cancer free for 3 years now. So it definitely works in some cases.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

That's very good to hear, especially since it's breast cancer that I'm researching. :)

[embroiderama]

My friend...it shrank her tumors but didn't get rid of the cancer. She's looking for another kind of chemo to try. :\

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

*hug* and *good vibes* for your friend.

[littlegreenleaf.livejournal.com]

My father did a few rounds of chemo, but unfortunately, he died before it could really do any good. I think, though, that it's the only thing that can be of any help. I have heard of people who have fought cancer, through chemo, and came out all right on the other side. Tell your loved one to keep up the good fight. All is not lost. *hugs you tightly*

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Thank you. I'm so sorry about your father. I guess it all depends on how advanced it is.

[silkmoth101.livejournal.com]

I think it depends on what cancer you're talking about. If you mean breast cancer then I know 3 people who became cancer-free after surgery combined with chemotherapy. One of them is here on LJ.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Well, it started as breast cancer. It may be something else now. She needs to have a lot more tests done before she can really decide, but I am really grateful for the information shared here. :)

[princesslanie.livejournal.com]

hugs sorry to hear this sad news. my aunt did several rounds of chemo because her cancer kept spreading. when i had talked to her different times thru the years she always told me it depend on what the doctors outlook was verse's how she got from it. i guess it depend on what kind of cancer and what stage they found it in. sometimes if it's say stage 3 or 4 it might not be worth all the side effects. :(

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think we need a lot more information before we even start looking at possible cources of action and how much the cost/benefit ratio is. I'm so sorry about your aunt. *hug*

[mellacita.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

It's an individual question, I think and depends on what you consider a benefit.

My mom was stage 4 and had chemo. She died after two years, but without the chemo they gave her a month. Those two years were spent with Taylor, and made the difference in Taylor being old enough to remember my mom or not. My mom had no question it was worth it.

I know several cancer survivors here on LJ who had chemo. One is younger than I am and just hit her 5th anniversary of being cancer-free.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's clear after more discussion that we need a lot more information before a treatment plan is evaluated. I'm glad your mom got some extra time with her granddaughter. *hug*

[lisagems.livejournal.com]

My step-father lived about 10 years longer than expected after a late diagnosis of prostate cancer that had already metastasized into bone cancer. There was just so much else wrong, too.

My friend is in complete remission from colon cancer. Going on year 4.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Wow, those are both pretty good news. Thank you! :)

[roshismomma.livejournal.com]

yes, more than one person. but it depends on the kid of cancer, what stage it is, etc. it *can* be worth it.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

*hug* Yeah, more info is definitely needed. :P

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Absolutely. I have a truly horrible uncle who is alive after a bad bout of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, many older girlfriends who are five, ten and even twenty year breast cancer survivors, and a 22 year old friend who had a serious medulablastoma (sp?) when she was 10 that was treated with surgery, radio- and chemotherapies.

Yes, I have also lost two very dear people over this time, but on the whole, the benefits have outweighed the risks. It will always be a decision that is up to the individual, but if there is a significant amount of time to be gained, the sickness seems to be worth it. Lots of good new chemo-related sickness managing strategies around these days, too, and a lot of the neuroplasticity research has touched on people training themselves out of chem brain, so there is something to manage most of the significant side effects.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

That's really conforting and encouraging to hear, despite the losses. Thank you for sharing. *hug*

[mercyisme.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear that.

My dad had stomach cancer. It was discovered too late so chemo and other less conventional therapies didn't help.

My grandmother survived breast cancer with mastectomy and radiation - I don't know if she had chemo. She's been cancer free for at least 20 years (I don't know exactly because when she was sick we were little enough that they didn't tell us). Two of my great aunts died of breast cancer.

I don't know. Maybe it's a little time gained at a great cost but that time might mean the world. I'm not sure if there's anything that can make that decision easier.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

*hug* Yes, I think it's a difficult decision, but I appreciate hearing some of the successes. Thank you. :)

[uinendolothen.livejournal.com]

One of my friends was diagnosed several years ago with an aggressive form of leukemia. Fortunately, she had to have blood work done every few months due to one of her bipolar meds and they caught it really early. She went through two rounds of chemo and she has been in remission long enough that she's considered "cured." It was an awful process but the end result was worth it for her.

Another friend was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She opted to have surgery to remove the affected breast and is undergoing a naturopathic treatment. Her diet has been altered (no sugar, lots of raw foods, etc.) and she is on many supplements and homeopathic remedies. It's too soon to really say if it worked or not but she looks fabulous and she feels great.

*hugs*

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

I'm thrielld to hear about btoh friends, but especially the breast cancer treatment with nautropathic medicine. That's my mom's preference, but of course I want her to do everything the doctors tell her to do. It's just hard to say what's the best plan right now.

[gemini8.livejournal.com]

My Mom was of the opinion that the surgery got the cancer and that she didn't need chemo or radiation, but she followed her doctor's plan and got both mostly for the rest of us. It helped my Dad have confidence that it was gone and wouldn't come back. And she's healthy and good!

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

See, my mom is arguing that further treatment isn't necessary. I come from a long line of grouchy, stubborn women. ;) I'm trying to talk her into giving it a go. Im so glad your mom did, and that it worked out for the best.

[msdillydally.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear about your loved one *hugs*

I know family members who have benefited from chemotherapy but I don't think any of them had it as their only course of treatment, rather as a combo along with other things.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

*nod* yes, It seems like it's definitely part of a plan, not a one-step thing. I'm sitll gathering info at this stage. Glad to hear a few more success stories.

[heartofslash.livejournal.com]

Mother-in-law is doing chemo. The met tumours are still growing but at a much much slower rate than before chemo. She was supposed to be gone by now. She's probably out in her garden right now. Tired but doing okay.

Friend had mastectomy and chemo... must be 14 years ago by now. She's cancer-free, has earned he PhD and is now director of something-to-do-with-disability at a university.

Other friend's father had prostate cancer - courses of radiation and chemo resulted in him being cancer-free. (It's been at least 7 years, as close as I can recall.)

Previous tenant had brain tumour - did radiation and chemo. Last I heard, she was still fine.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Wow, I'm glad to hear about your MIL - I recall that she didn't have much time left, so it's good to hear that she's doing so well.

All good news stories - thank you!

[bitofaspaz.livejournal.com]

My brother dude. He had testicular cancer and his last chemo date was the day I gave birth to Nat. Her birthday is his remission date. 9 years coming up this month. He smoked pot all through it to keep his appetite. But then again, he probably would have done that anyway. :p

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Hehehe. Yay for M! I'd forgotten about that, and I'm glad he's still in the free-and-clear. :)

OMG - is Nat 9 now??? Holy cow!

[glasslogic.livejournal.com]

My cousin had cancer they didn't really expect him to survive and he is now in remission thanks to chemo treatments (though apparently the chemo came almost as close to killing him as the cancer did due to his reaction to it)

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad he pulled through. Thank you for sharing.

[camimac.livejournal.com]

My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999, when her daughter was almost a year old. My sister went through chemo. She was told she was cancer free. She had a recurrence in 2002 and underwent chemo again. She died from the cancer in 2006. I like to think the chemo helped to give her almost 8 years with her daughter. So, I think the chemo is worth it whether it completely gets rid of the cancer or not. There is a definite benefit to it. I and the rest of my family are grateful for the time it helped give my sister.

I hope your loved one goes with it

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Thank you for that - an extension of a quality life can make any amount of pain worthwhile. I'm glad your sister got those years with her daughter.

[hpstrangelove.livejournal.com]

I just had my 4th chemo treatment (of 6) Monday (for BC). I think I've been very, very lucky to not be suffering the side effects I read about. I get really tired in the first few days after a treatment, and my appetite is off a bit, but other than that I'm not suffering anything too bad. I'm even able to continue my daily 3-mile lunch walk within about five days after a treatment.

The hair loss really sucks, but I can't do anything about it so I don't dwell on it.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

*hug* I'm so sorry you're going through this right now - my utmost sympathies. I'm very excited to hear that some people do't go through all the bad side effects and I hope that continues for you. :)

[helena-s-renn.livejournal.com]

yes. my mother was diagnosed with lymphoma (cancer of lymph node(s)), which was in her neck, 4 years ago. she had chemo (for 4 months) and radiation (directly after that, for 6 weeks, almost every single day).

it would depend on what stage and what kind of cancer (some are more active/invasive), as to if it's worth it. the later/higher the stage, the more difficult to 'kill' the cancer. some varieties like lung or bone cancer can be stubborn, too. according to my mom, the drugs DO make you feel like crap especially at first, although modern medicine is a lot better at adjusting the "cocktail" to counteract that. there can be issues with dehydration and/or anemia, nausea, weakness, etc.

depending on the insurance situation, the money part could be beastly (or not). my parents have insurance which they pay for privately with a fairly high deductible. that was the one year they were able to take a tax deduction for medical.

overall... she thinks that "it's worth it" since it's impossible to put a value on a life. so far, *knock on wood* it's been in remission, well, they declared her cancer free.

if your friend is presented with other options, such as surgery / radiation instead, he or she may have alternatives to chemo.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

I'm glad your mom is doing well. We are in the phase where my mom needs to get a lot rmoe information before she make a decision (she has a mastectomy last year and it looks like the cancer is back as lymphoma). We had only heard the bad stories, but with all the info shared here, it looks like an option worth investigating. Thank you. *huG*

[live-laugh-love.livejournal.com]

My father did not, IMO. He had small cell lung cancer that had already moved to his nervous system when he started chemo/radiation. However, he did not want to give up, so he tried everything he could until he was no longer coherent. I don't think it improved his quality of life any, but it did comfort him, which was in the long run better than I had hoped.

My mother did. She had stage four breast cancer, and was lucky enough to get into a trial where she had chemo of some sort every other day for about six months. She's been cancer free for over five years, now.

I hope your loved one is able to make a decision they are comfortable with, and that they find peace in it.

xo

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry for the struggles both of your parents went through. It really seems to depend on the individual and the cancer. I hope your mom continues to do well. *hug*

[justinetre.livejournal.com]

My partner's brother in law had testicular cancer ten years ago and had chemo for it, and is in perfect health now, no recurrances

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

That's great to hear - thank you for sharing. :)

[dissonant-dream.livejournal.com]

I think everything I have to say has already been said, but I wanted to offer *hugs*

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Thanks, sweetheart. HUgs always welcome.

Hey, next time I'm unemployed, you should totally come visit and we'll road trip. :)

[sarka.livejournal.com]

My cousin had Hodgkins-lymphoma. She was on chemo for eight months and has been cancer free for about four years now.

My best Czech friend had breast cancer; she had mastectomy and chemo. She's doing great, ran a marathon this spring, in fact.

My grandmother, however, did chemo when most of her doctors counseled against it. It probably shortened her life considerably, but her cancer was so advanced when it was discovered that there really was nothing to be done.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'll take those odds - thank you. :)