What to do when chemo. is done?

Hello  to you all!

I was wondering if anyone can help me with what the next steps would be for my mom when she's done with her last chemo. treatment? She will continue with the Avastin for a total of 15 months but, I was wondering what the typical testing or monitoring phase is . It seems as though once a person is done with their treatments they are left to be anxious and to worry about what is next. The doctor followed so closely for so many months. Bloodwork,urine tests, CT scans. Now what? see ya later alligator?(not really) But, I'm  worried that  the cancer will either get worse or get so bad they may say" it's too late" or something to that nature. I know I'm counting my chickens, I'm a plan ahead, need to know, type of person. This loss of control is already killing me. Any advice or info. is greatly appreciated!!

Thanks! God Bless You All!!

Nicole

Take one day at a time.  When my mom finished her first round of chemo the doctors schedule her appointments for follow up.  The first was the ENT.  Then she was schedule for future scans.  As long as your mom is taking medication they should follow her.  If not, ask for them to keep a close eye on her the first six months.  Then maybe you can go less often.  I don't believe they will just cut you loose.  Remember ask your doctor what the next steps will be for your mom.

May God Bless you and your mom.

 

 

On 9/26/2009 psalm wrote:

Take one day at a time.  When my mom finished her first round of chemo the doctors schedule her appointments for follow up.  The first was the ENT.  Then she was schedule for future scans.  As long as your mom is taking medication they should follow her.  If not, ask for them to keep a close eye on her the first six months.  Then maybe you can go less often.  I don't believe they will just cut you loose.  Remember ask your doctor what the next steps will be for your mom.

May God Bless you and your mom.

 

Hi, can you please tell me if your mom saw her doctor at all during her chemo? & when is her first visit after finishing chemo altogether?I finished chemo in July & see my Dr. in Oct. I was wondering if that is normal? & the only time I saw my Dr. during chemo was midway through for my ct scan results. I saw him once in the chemo room but he looked at me & looked away never came to see me or any of his other patience of his. Is that normal?

 

Hi Nicole, I see a nurse practitioner every month, see my oncologist every 3 months, and get a CT scan every 3 months.  Whenever I go there, they do bloodwork to keep tabs on everything.  I am on Aromasin now, after being on chemo for 6 months.  I am very happy with this arrangement, since I don't feel as if I have been set adrift and left to worry about what is happening cancerwise. 

Best wishes,

Carolyn 

Hello, my mom finished her chemo (taxol and carbo) seven weeks ago and now we're on the trial for 21 cycles.  She doesn't get the weekly blood tests anymore, but she gets them once every three weeks when she goes in for the avastin/placebo, she also gets a catscan every nine weeks or every three cycles.  She gets to see the doctor and has since the very beginning of this all in April.  My prayers are with all of you.  Stay strong.

Hi,
I relate to being a type of person who plans ahead and likes to be in control of your own life.  Welcome to the world of cancer, where it turns that whole concept upside down.  Say goodbye to control and hello to living each day in the moment.

When chemo is done my advice is to ENJOY every second of NOT being on chemo.  Put the cancer away and get back to life.  Feel everything in a new way; realize that each day is a gift we are given.

Do not dwell on what happens next.  No one has an answer for you.  Think of the precious energy and time you will give to worrying about what may or may not be all the while you could have been rejoicing in being done with chemotherapy and being in remission.

It takes some rearranging of thoughts, but it becomes the way you will have to live.  And then every so often, your doctor will "pull you back" by giving a blood test for the tumor marker.  You'll hold your breath to hear the results. 

This is the way of life for a cancer patient.

God bless and keep you safe,

MaryAnn

Wow - what good advice.  The whole control thing is so true.  When my husband was first diagnosed I was an absolute for a few months.  I had trouble sleeping, and was totally consumed by the research and thoughts of cancer.  My Sis finally set down and we had a long talk.  I have always been and will continue to be :) a control freak.  Cancer is the one thing that I can't control - it has the control.  Your advice to live each day to the fullest and don't put off anything.  Love with all of your heart and don't have any regrets.  This is a horrible that many are living with - Good luck and God Bless Everyone on this site.