How Long??

[vickie h]

Dear Linda, I have been on chemo (with a few weeks break at a time) for over 3 years now. I have IBC and they are treating it like any chronic disease. I will probably be on some form of chemo/or Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor/ monoclonal antibody, etc for the rest of my life. But I have a great life and I am blessed to be here, so I look at it all as a gift. My life is so filled with wonder each and every day and I plan to stay here much longer and much happier. You may have a shorter time or even go into remission, depending on how your chemo works with your cells. Best of luck to you. Love, Vickie

[chrisy]

Dear Linda,

HOW LONG does depend on how you respond to treatment. When I started chemo for extensive liver mets, the plan was 6 cycles (about 6 months). Followed by Herceptin alone. I had 2 oncs, one of had a slightly different take which was "2 cycles past best response". In my case, the 6 cycles was perfect.

Once you get to NED or stable, you should be able to get a chemo holiday, which is a good thing as it allows your body to recover and muster your resources so you have them for the next battle.

Not knowing is hard, and unfortunately this disease is full of "not knowing". You just have to get your head around that and find a way to live with the uncertainty - and you will.

At first I thought the more chemo the better, now I'm a believer in as little chemo as necessary!

Take care
Chris