January 5, 2010
Chemo Decision
The other day, Portland Firefly had the privileged opportunity to visit with a woman whose 81-year-old Mother is battling lung cancer. She is trying to decide if a further course of three Chemotherapy treatments is advisable now that she has completed her series of Chemo and Radiation.
The Chemo that she received in conjunction with the radiation is of a lesser dosage than what she would be receiving for her series of three and she understandably has some concerns about the side effects. After 10 months of Chemo and with almost another year facing me, Portland Firefly likes to think that she might have some well-known first-hand knowledge on the subject of chemotherapy.
I tried to relay some of my experiences to this concerned daughter. I also tried to emphasize that ‘it is only three Chemotherapies’. It will be all over with in only seven weeks. From my point of view –seven weeks is nothing compared to the life-saving possibilities. Seven weeks is nothing compared to the 52 weeks that I’ll be continuing Chemotherapy.
Sure there will be some side effects that may continue for several months, but that is where one must weigh all the pros and cons. For me a longer life span was of paramount importance. I am willing to sacrifice some of my quality of life for a longer life in the long run. And, of course, there is always the hope and prayers that I will have a cure and therefore a VERY long life.
Portland Firefly wishes this elderly Cancer Sister wisdom in her decision.
