blip in treatment continued

[Holepunch]

not sure what happened?

Continuing

We are both now in a place of extreme anxiety and trying to cling onto vague hope

If it fails then it will be a more invasive chemo or to decide to stop treatment?

Has anyone heard of such a blip and possible outcomes.?

I should add that in last 6 months he was admitted to hospital with bad chest infection, had severe gout and had Covid, so his immune system has been challenged. He is positive and has fought all these off.

Hope all this makes sense especially the double continued post.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Sorry to hear you and your husband are having such a tough time. It is quite common for treatment to be paused or stopped if there are side effects, or like your husband who has been unwell or the treatment is not working.

It may be that as his immune system was compromised due to his chest infection and with gout being an inflammatory condition, it has taken its toll on the immune system. Hence this could be the blip that the oncologist was talking about and it is encouraging that she is continuing the treatment at present and will reassess once the next CT scan is done.

It is understandably a worrying an anxious time and hope you hear from others in the forum who have had a similar experience.

Sometimes with combined therapies like chemotherapy with Immunotherapy, one is stopped if causing severe side effects or is not being effective in its treatment, it is best to discuss this with the lung cancer nurse specialist or oncologist that if that was the case what would be the next treatment of choice.

This is a link to our support services we offer, there is one to one support or online group zoom support: roycastle.org/help-and-supp...

If you would like to discuss anything you can email ask the nurse at [e-mail] or call our free phone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday and Friday 0900-1700

All the very best

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Holepunch in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Thank you for your support and encouragement

[Cockailschemocancer]

hi there - I was stopped my treatment (same as your husband) after 8 rounds due to side effects and haven’t been on any treatment since (that was 2 years ago) and remain stable … I recall when my ONC said I could never have it again I was devastated and took ages to get over it … but it’s ok and they have options if needed. Do you have any counselling that’s provided to help with the anxiety which is so normal in this position. That might help you both to process the information. If it stops that’s not the end, just a pause to find something better for your husband. Wishing you all the best xx

[Holepunch in reply to Cockailschemocancer]

Hope things are still going well

Thank you for your response it is very encouraging.

Do you mind sharing what stage you were at when treatment stopped my husband is Stage 4 NSCLC and not curable

He is Poland one option is chemo other to stop

I am having counselling but my husband is not keen at moment

All the best

[Cockailschemocancer]

hi I will always be stage 4 incurable but I did have a very good response to the treatment. Even though the side effects stopped it! Hope that helps xx