Today, my mother and i went to her oncologist regarding her ct scan result. The oncologist said that the cancer came back and that we will be starting treatment again. He said that the same medicine will be used for her chemo. Anyone who has the same experience? I read that cancer can become resistant to chemo drugs so i am wondering if the same medicine will work. He also offered immunotherapy but the way he described the treatment isnt very convincing. I am afraid that if we waited that long, the cancer might become worse. Anyone who has the same experience? Everything isnt sinking in yet.. i am sad but i cannot fully express it. I am so lost. Cancer recurrence isnt the end, right? I really need your help and support.
Thank you in advance.
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Kwiskwos
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Hi Im sorry your mum has a. reccurence. Can I answer your last question first, no a recurrence doesnt mean an end. I have had 2 recurrences and currently enjoying my longest remission of over 7 years. Its usual to have the same chemo for a recurrence as long as there is a sufficient time in between. I had the same chemo for both recurrences although it was changed midway through on the second recurrence as I had an allergic reaction to carbo and changed to cisplatin. I know you are feeling lost but treatments have improved so much. If necessary seek counselling, it does help. I went through some when I was having my first recurrence having found out my dad had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, a double whammy. Sending both you and your mum a big hug and very best wishes xx Kathy xx
That's what i am thinking, too.. i am thinking that maybe lots of improvement has been made already. But the way the oncologist talked to us is not very helpful. He told us that there is 30% chance that the same medicine will work this time and that we're lucky if we get 1-2yrs remission. It really made me feel hopeless. I just hope he's a little bit more sensitive. My mother's in good shape, no symptoms at all..so to hear all that is really heartbreaking.
Kathy you are so strong and very inspiring. I have so much respect for everyone here. I hope to here more from you.
Hi, I was told at diagnosis that I had 'a couple of years'.... still here tho! Your mum's oncologist sounds a lot like my first Consultant, no empathy. I went to PALS and got a new Consultant who became more like a friend. 'Who told you this may not work' she said. 'Who says you can't go on for years'. That's what I needed to hear. I had to swop cancer centres in order to participate in a new trial but I still hear from her through my present Consultant, she still asks after me . That's what you need. Your mum's Consultant is quoting statistics..... your Mum is not a statistic. Years ago my mum had OC, Stage 3, she was told she had less than 5 years..... she never got a recurrence and went over 14 years before regretfully succumbing to a new primary bowel cancer. See, we aren't statistics. My dad at the age of 49 got lung cancer, it may well return they said..... it did when he was 81, he passed away just before his 82 birthday. Another statistic who wasn't a statistic....hold on to the thought that you hear more about people who die from OC than those out there living their lives. xx Kathy xx
Wow.. this helped me a lot, kathy. Thank you so so so much. I am so sorry to hear about your mom and your dad but i just want you to know that your family is such an inspiration for someone like me. You're such a big help, really. After a long and difficult day, reading your replies gave me so much optimism. Thank you so much again.
Hi I am sorry to hear mums cancer has returned, I am on my second recurrence but treatment for first recurrence was the same as first line treatment. I changed to Cisplatin for 1st recurrence but only due to reaction to Carbo.
I started Cisplatin/ Caelyx on Monday for this recurrence, oncologist said I had a good interval 15 months after Cisplatin.
Hi, Its looking likely that I too am heading towards a recurrence and discussion with Onc has been to repeat the same chemo combination as before, Carbo/Taxol. I've been told that I've had sufficient time in between and as it worked so well before it makes sense to repeat. I'll be following with a parp inhibitor probably Niraparib as I'm Brca neg.
I've had 4 years breathing space and now seeing great headway with new treatments coming on board. The future looks bright.
I've read that the longer the remission from the first treatment, the more likely the same chemo is to work and again for some time. You can always try immunotherapy later, if the chemo doesn't work.
I am sorry to hear about your mumthese things are always worrying.
However I thought that I would tell you that I am on my first recurrence of fallopian tube cancer which was serous grade3, but now stage 4 as it has spread to the momentum mainly. I will complete my six rounds of chemo next Friday. My CA125 Started at 532 after 4.5 years remission and after this current treatment it is 29 which is great. Of course I will have a CT scan in about 4 weeks time to see if there is any movement. I have been told already that I will be going on a parp inhibitor which I am hoping will give me more time without chemo. The other thing is I am 75 and in good health otherwise.
I wish your mum good luck, and to say that there are many treatments available now and of course there are new treatments coming out fairly frequently.
Hi caleda, my mother is 72 so hearing about your story gave me a sort of relief. Everyone here is such a big help for me to carry on. Hoping to receive a good news with your scan in 4 weeks time. Did you also use the same medication for your recurrence?
Hello, The first time around 4.5 years ago My treatment was carboplatin/pacletaxol but this time due to the fact of neuropathy in my feet from the tax ok,it was suggested that I have carbo/gemcitabine,which as I say seems to have worked. I believe the same treatment will work depending on on the time between treatments.
Thank you caleda. My mother's 72 so i am praying that she will not have much of a hard time. Are you still receiving your treatment currently? I hope you are doing well.
I would totally agree with that .my mothers cancer recurred, she was told at start that she only had 2yrs at most but as the treatment kept improving she gained another 12 years & that was 29yrs ago.so much better now so stay positive & sendings bigs hugs to you both X
Thank you mammi for your inspiring story. You and your mom are so strong. I kind of feel ashamed for being so depressed for the past few days. Still working hard to pick myself up after this devastating event. However, hearing lots of encouraging stories from you has been helping me a lot. I hope i'll be able to get through this and be as strong as my mother and you all.
Sorry to hear your mums cancer is back ,its looking like I'm in the same position, my ca125 has jumped to 100 after a 9 month remission, I'm waiting for my scan results ,I spoke to my csn ,she said I may well have the same treatment carbo / taxol ,because it had a good result last time .I can't give you advice ,but I know how you and your mum are feeling right now ,so I'm sending love .I always take on board what Kathy says ,she's a mine of information ,an inspiration .
Hi cheryl. I will be praying for a good scan result for you. I hope we can continue to lift each other's spirits during this difficult time. I hope to hear more from you.
If you have doubts about the treatment offered I strongly recommend getting a second opinion. I did this and it was the best thing I ever did as it got me on a clinical trial. I chose to pay to get a quick appointment but you are entitled to a second opinion on the NHS. You don’t need the permission of your oncologist but you do need a referral and my GP did this for me. A second opinion from a major cancer centre is a good idea and you can probably get a phone or skype appointment if necessary. Even if it just reassures you that the chemo is the right step you will feel so much better but you may also find out about other new treatments as I did.
Thank you neona for your advice. However, we live in the philippines and clinical trial here is very rare. According to the oncologist, to participate in immunotherapy, we will have to retrieve the samples taken way back 2012, pay the laboratory to send it to the states and wait for more than a month for their response. I am afraid of what might happen if we do nothing during those time. It is so hard to be in this country. 😢
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