Chemo cycles

[dandelup]

I would just like to let everyone know my experience regarding completion of chemo cycles.

I am on the Flair trial having FCR and have now had three cycles fourth one today and my bloods are back to normal white cell count and platelets are a perfect score , so I asked the question why then do I need more chemo and the answer is simple, all six cycles are recommended to ensure that all traces of cancer have been eradicated cutting short the cycles is not recommended and should only be considered if you can not medically tolerate them and you have to be pretty Ill to get that diagnosis, so stick with it folks believe me I dread every one but I look on it as it’s one step nearer being well again for hopefully a very long time.

[Jm954 Administrator]

Well said dandelion! We are all different in how we respond to treatment and cope but sounds as though you have a good and sensible doctor.

Hope the rest goes as smoothly.

[Newdawn Administrator]

Great to hear such brilliant progress dandelup!

Newdawn

[noeagaman]

It's great to hear that you are doing so well on FCR. I had to stop after my fourth cycle. I spent a week in the hospital after that and my doctor said that FCR had almost killed me. I spent the next two months getting platelets and blood transfusions several times a week. My blood counts are still out of wack but rising slowly. I'm now getting monthly IVIG's too and several injections. I guess we can't all have it go so well. One good thing is that I'm in remission so I guess it could have been worse.

Chris

[GMa27]

You don't need more! I had 3 cycles of FCR this summer. I was tested after 3rd. 2 CLL experts and my local oncologist all agreed to test. Had BMB, CT scan and blood work. All CLL gone...in remission. Bone marrow clear. They are finding people are reaching remission in less than 6. Some docs want you to continue... personally I feel that is old school. What is the chemo working on if I have no CLL to remove?

I tolerated chemo with no problems.

You should ask your doctor why you have to continue. 💕

[dandelup in reply to GMa27]

I can only go by what my doctor recommends and my trial nurses in my case the full six cycles, so that’s what I will have. Glad your doing ok .

[cllady01 Former Volunteer in reply to GMa27]

I am happy for your good experience and getting to have less than the prescribed number of treatments, GMa27.

Your experience is a good one, and your body and your CLL is unique to you.

None of us can say what another who is under the care of experienced and capable physician should do in regard to treatment that is working.

[cajunjeff]

I am not so sure the answer is that simple. I saw my doctor, Michael Keating, yesterday. He is known as one of the founders of FCR. He told me that in his practice they were doing mostly three cycles of fcr now, but he could have been talking about only mutated IGHV patients. In the US FCR is prescribed less and less these days for unmutated Cll. I assume what he meant was that they would stop at three cycles if it appeared remission was achieved, but don’t know for sure. In any event, I don’t think there is a consensus among experts that you absolutely need 6 cycles these days.

[cllady01 Former Volunteer]

Great news dandelup!

[J_88]

good to hear