He did one round of chemo, and the side effects were "catastrophic" (as described by the doctor). A 3 week stay turned into 6+ weeks, and he was close to death several times from infections, etc., that came as side effects.
So, he has the option of continuing chemo, trying a bone marrow transplant, or pursuing no treatment, and letting the cancer take its course.
If he continues chemo, the side effects may be just as serious, and he could die. It would taks 3-4 rounds to finish a treatment segment.
If he does a bone marrow transplant, 50% chance it would work, 50% chance he would die, or lose limbs, eye sight, etc. because he rejected the transplant.
If he forgoes treatment altogether, he has a 10% chance to live 5 years.
Trying to make a decision about treatment is taking a real toll on FIL and MIL.
I don't know what to do, you guys. We've known something was wrong since January, and he did the first round of chemo in March. This is the first time they've given us numbers about what would happen if he doesn't do treatment. Fuck.
Post by beautifulfields12 on Jun 28, 2013 21:32:53 GMT -5
I am so sorry you are going g through this. I lost my dad to acute luekemia. It was very hard. He refused treatment and lasted a month. That was 15 years ago, so things will be different now.
There can be many options, but most of all be there for Mil and Fil ans Dh. I am so sorry.
I have no advice to give, but want you to know that you and your family will be in my thoughts. Your ILs are having to make some horrible decisions, and this is clearly a very scary time for all of you.
My dad did more chemo than he should have. His doctor would go ahead and do another round if his #s were above a certain level, but really, he was so weak. It destroyed his last year of life and cost him his leg. I wish that we had stopped it sooner. I truly believe his death (and I mean the process) would have been less terrible if he hadn't had the last few rounds of chemo.
eta: sorry for using this post as my own emotional outlet. I just wish there were better options.
That is what we're worried about. FIL is really gung-ho about the bone marrow transplant (I can't blame him, it is something), but the odds are not good. We don't want him to be miserable, lose limbs, etc., for a narrow chance of success.
Post by Norticprincess on Jun 28, 2013 22:57:26 GMT -5
Im sorry you are dealing with this, it is an awful nasty thing that no one should have to endure.
I think they need a second opinion on the stem cell transplant/bone marrow transplant. I don't know which hospital they have talked to, but getting to a large one that does a lot of transplants makes a difference.
Chemo for my BMT was easier than my induction and reinduction chemo when I relapsed. The consolidation rounds, while rough, aren't usually as bad as induction. The infection risk is always there. Depending on age, and if it is AML or ALL they will support with the white blood cell boosting shots (neulasta or neupogen)
The non myeloablative conditioning regimen is done regularly in the older population with decent results. I've been in clinic with a few that have had multiple transplants due to relapse. Hopkins does them on an out patient basis. Failure to engraft is usually under 5%. If it is non myelo they hold you with transfusions until your cells come back.
Not saying that it is an easy road. I have lost friends due to complications. Infection is a major concern both with chemo and transplant. It is pretty much a given that you end up back in on IV antibiotics a few times. Transplant does not 100% take away the chance of relapse. But if you are going to do it, it is easier on the body before the extra rounds of chemo do their damage.
If I could go back, I would have switched hospitals and done transplant while I was in remission one instead of going through the consolidation chemo and having to do reinduction and more consolidation when I relapsed. The transplant team at the first hospital was very Debbie downer since my sister wasn't 100% match and I didn't have a good registry match. Given my cytogentics and age, they felt chemo would be less risky. My transplant doc at second hospital would have done my Haplo transplant instead of chemo.
Post by underwaterrhymes on Jun 29, 2013 0:09:39 GMT -5
I am so, so sorry.
Cancer is a mother fucker.
Try not to pay too close attention to the percentages. (My Stepdad was given a 14% chance of surviving the summer ehen he was diagnosed with throat cancer. He is with us and cancer-free 12 years later.) Get as much info as you can about pros and cons and see if you can talk to others who have been in the same situation, even if it is just through a listserv.
Focus on how he is feeling and making him comfortable. And while you should not be shy about talking to him about this, respect that it is his decision on how to proceed.
Post by underwaterrhymes on Jun 29, 2013 0:15:27 GMT -5
I did want to add that although you should allow him to decide, it's okay to push a bit on stuff you feel strongly about. My dad didn't want a feeding tube. I wish I had expressed more clearly why I thought it was important.
He did wind up getting one, but he lost 40 pounds first.
It's so hard to deal with life and death decisions and the unknown is even worse.
I hope your FIL can get treatment that will allow him to live his life the way he wants.
Fuck cancer.
Hugs to you & your DH. It's so hard to deal with. You know (maybe?) my DH has been dealing w/cancer & chemo for 6 years and I lost both of my ILs to acute cancers. I wish you all the best.