Yesterday I went to see the Radiologist. I have my last chemo June 18th and the next step is 25 sessions of radiation therapy to my pelvis.
There is some possible side effects of the radiation that I would find difficult. These side effects are permanent. The radiation makes a very small contribution (%of cure) to my cure.
The radiation will not address any cancer that may have been taken away by the lympth nodes.
I think it might be time to let go and let God.
I am praying about this... because I think it may be time to stop the treatments, recover and start doing the things I enjoy.
Big decision. You know where I stand. Things you enjoy?? Would one of those things be visiting me??
ReplyDeleteAfter chatting with you last evening, I feel you are making the right decision. The side effects would not be pleasant. Time to get your strength and energy back and to start to feel you can enjoy life again! I am sure the answer to your prayers will lead you in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteHi Dodi -
ReplyDeleteI just got back from my oncology follow-up appt and I asked Dr Walsh about your plan to skip radiation. Since we have the same cancer, the same stage, the same grade, I wanted to know the "odds" if I did the same thing. Here is what she said:
- What we know about the biology of the uterine cancer that you and I have is that additional cancer can present in 2 ways -- it can travel to distant sites (like the liver or lungs) and this is what chemo prevents. Or, it can show up again in the pelvis area (lymph nodes) and this is what the radiation prevents. Per Dr Walsh, it is most likely that it will show up in the pelvis -- that is why we need radiation. Radiation for Stage 3 is not an option.
- My oncologist said there was a 20% INCREASE in survival rates by doing radiation. This is statistically significant.
- Yes, there can be permanent damage to the intestines or bladder from radiation, but my radiation oncologist said only 5% chance; my oncologist said 10% chance of some damage. To me, this is worth the risk, so I can increase my odds of surviving by 20%.
- I plan to go ahead with the radiation on 6/22 (for 25 days). I will let you know how I do.
I support whatever decision you make, but I wanted you to hear what my oncologist recommended for me, today, so you could factor it into your decision.
Best regards,
Jane
Hi Dodi -
ReplyDeleteI just got back from my oncology follow-up appt and I asked Dr Walsh about your plan to skip radiation. Since we have the same cancer, the same stage, the same grade, I wanted to know the "odds" if I did the same thing. Here is what she said:
- What we know about the biology of the cancer that we have is that it can go 2 ways -- it can travel to distant sites (like the liver or lungs) and this is what chemo prevents. Or, it can show up again in the pelvis area (lymph nodes) and this is what the radiation prevents. It is most likely that it will show up in the pelvis -- radiation for Stage 3 is not optional.
- My oncologist said there was a 20% increase in survival rate by doing radiation. This is not statistically insignificant.
- Yes, there can be permanent damage to the intestines or bladder from radiation, but my radiation oncologist said only 5% chance; my oncologist said 10-20% chance of some damage.
- I plan to go ahead with the radiation on 6/22 (for 25 days). I will let you know how I do.