Anyone considered giving chemo a break/discontinuing??

[magstherunner]

Hi All

I've had 14 rounds of chemo, Permetrexed and 16 of immunotherapy, permulizamab. I'm finding it is taking longer to get over the chemo each time and spending 4 days knocked out and needing to be in my bed! Basically exhaustion and nausea; this is taking over a week to resolve to a greater extent and it's making me a bit fed up, although I am a really positive and (usually) dynamic person. I have an adenocarcinoma in one lung, less than 3 cm, and another little bit in the other lung (advised non operable) and some involvement in the chest lymph nodes. Currently the tumours are stable and there is no further sign of growth or spread since diagnosis in May 2020 and no return of the initial fluid build up - I had a scan last week confirming all of this. I have emailed my lung nurse with this question and have a telephone consultation with oncology on 12th July. However I do keep getting different people at consultations and sometimes the nurse rather than an oncologist. I'd carry on with the immunotherapy as I have another 11 months worth to go and this seems to be the game changer. Just thought I'd consult the "experts in experience". Grateful for any advice. Thanks, Mags.

[Ollie13]

Hi Mags I think better you chat to your oncologist they know better. I did 10 months of immunotherapy and it worked wonders. Like you I had a tumour in lungs and lymph nodes infected. Just finished Radiotherapy on infected lymph nodes in chest. It's hard going when your feeling down and your positiveness wains been there done that. Check with your oncologist but at the end of the day the ultimate choice is yours. Hugs to you and hope you're feeling better soon ❤❤❤

[magstherunner in reply to Ollie13]

Thanks Ollie. I wish I could get the same person at each Consultation for a definitive view. Just being a bit fed up at the moment, I expect it will resolve soon. Love Mags.🤑

[Lucky2008]

Hello magstherunner my dad as the same lung cancer hes though at stage 4 and not spread, however hes fit and well and hes refused the treatment the reason for that is hes 83 and he wants too enjoy going out every day meeting his friends, I hope your feeling better soon 🙏

[magstherunner]

Thanks lucky. I think your dad has sussed it all out for himself and I hope he gets more years to have a good time especially as we've all had a rough time during the pandemic. If I get to 83 I'll be very happy 😊. I've wanted to have the treatment offered so far as I feel I've got some good times ahead, I'm just feeling that I'd like a break for a bit and get my fitness and energy levels up a bit - and see my friends etc. I wish your dad all the best, he sounds great!

[Bayside1]

Hi Mags, Happy to hear that you’re cancer is responsive to the treatment.

I stopped and everything has have remained stable as of June 2021.

Pem chemo August 2019-July 2020

Pem immuno: Aug 2019-Oct 2020

Hope you’re feeling well soon!

[magstherunner in reply to Bayside1]

So glad to hear that you are doing well; always uplifting that a fellow is doing OK and reassuring that I might be on to something. I'm going to talk to my chemo nurse on 12th as she is going to discuss with the oncologist. I do want to continue with the immuno and hope that will be possible as I don't seem to have any problems with that. Good luck and have fun! 😍.

[Gwennewcomer in reply to magstherunner]

Prayers to you Mags if you want to give it a break for awhile.

[magstherunner in reply to Gwennewcomer]

Thanks Gwen. I'll weigh up the risks and consequences. I can always go back on if things go pear shaped! Magsx

[Leniko]

I had been on Avastin, then stopped. Sadly, I had a recurrence after stopping. I’m now back on Avastin every 6 eeeks, at a lower dosage, and it is keeping my CA125 at around 13-14. I will take it as long as they will let me. I Want to starve those cancer cells in my (inoperable) Psoas back tumor.