Chemo advice needed

dobby

I'm so glad I found this group for older people with BC.  My mom is 82 - IDC stage 1 grade 3, ER/PR -  (HER2 probably negative...waiting to hear from MO but path report said 1)  Had lumpectomy - waiting for rads.  Feels good except for the horror of all this. 

The BS mentioned chemo but wasn't really thrilled with having someone over 80 get it.  I'd really appreciate thoughts on this.  I haven't let my mother know how worried I am but I am really scared.  I know my mom at 82 is pretty spry but there is a big difference in 72 vs 82.  I would say she seems more frail now. 

ruthbru

There is no way I would do chemo at 82 (when I was doing chemo, I decided that my personal cut off for that kind of treatment was age 75....from what I could tell, after that it would surely do more harm than good). Stage 1 is early, and chemo probably wouldn't be recommended even if she were younger. Get her through rads, and then help her enjoy life NOW!! Best of luck to her, and you too!

dobby

Thank you ruthbru.  I think you voiced what my gut is telling me.  The decision is hers but I know how she is leaning. 

ruthbru

If the statistics say 'chemo' and a person potentially has decades to live if they can beat the cancer, then I am actually very 'pro-chemo' (if there can be such a thing). But chemo is really a tough thing to get through, even when you are younger and otherwise healthy, and it can take years for your body to bounce all the way back (it took 5 years for my bloodwork to return to 'normal'). When you are 82, you don't have that kind of time. Keep her as healthy and active as possible and help her enjoy life now. (Of course, I am the person who, when my dad was in a nursing home suffering with dementia, told the staff to quit monitoring his diet, doing bloodwork etc. and let him eat whatever he wanted. Really, who cared if his cholestroel was high? Eating was about the only thing he still enjoyed!)