to chemo or not to chemo

[dugsok]

Generally speaking, who would choose not to take chemo. Like, anyone been there and done that ? just wondering

 

[CHenry]

Very situation specific. If it was a last ditch effort to give me another 6 months, no. If they gave me a high success rate type answer, probably.

 

[Waltherfan]

It depends. If the cancer is detected in the early stage and the prognosis for a cure is high, then by all means I'd do the chemo. On the other hand, if it's like my brother had and it's stage 4 and realistically you're only going to live around a year, I'd pass on the chemo. No sense being miserable the last few months of your life.

 

[TenBears]

I would research everything else possible, depending on diagnosis. From what I understand and correct me if I'm wrong, chemo poisons your whole body and if successful the poisons side effect is killing the cancer.

 

[DanB]

high success chance yes. Just to give me a few more months NOPE. I'd rather spend the money having fun with the family.

 

[TenBears]

The bad thing is, with cancer rates increasing one in two will eventually have to deal with this.

 

[Lurker66]

Like others pointed out, depends on prognosis.

 

[CHenry]

I would research everything else possible, depending on diagnosis. From what I understand and correct me if I'm wrong, chemo poisons your whole body and if successful the poisons side effect is killing the cancer.

Thats exactly right. The side effects of chemo usually are damage to other organs. The chemo creates a toxic environment that will kill you but they dose it so it only "nearly" kills you in hopes the cancer will leave town.

 

[OKSpeedDemon]

I just finished up with 3 rounds of chemo and 6 weeks worth of radiation on my neck about 3 weeks ago. I have squamous cell carcinoma of the lymph node. I was very apprehensive about the chemo treatments. It has been a very tough road.

 

[CHenry]

I just finished up with 3 rounds of chemo and 6 weeks worth of radiation on my neck about 3 weeks ago. I have squamous cell carcinoma of the lymph node. I was very apprehensive about the chemo treatments. It has been a very tough road.

What is the prognosis? What side effects did you have and how bad were they?