Hello Peter The simplest answer is that if you need to ask the question, then you are not yet at that point. My background. 2007..Stage 3A Colon Cancer 2015..My partner diagnosed Stage 4 Colon Cancer ( very late stage). As it turned out we ended up with the same Oncologist. By 2017 I was still seeing him every 6 months and he was using our meetings to occasionally discuss my partner. By this time she had endured 41 rounds of chemotherapy . 21 of Folfox 6 + Avastin and 20 of Folfiri + Erbitux. Her CEA was rising rapidly , the end was coming and she had sold property and financed a house for her daughter. The Onc. carefully broached the subject of ceasing treatment. My reply was that I would have run up the white flag 12 months earlier, and I wouldn't hesitate. Chrissie received this advice with relief and passed away 7 weeks later. Unfortunately three weeks later again I was diagnosed with Stage 3 NSCLC. That was close to 4 years ago. After initial treatment I had 15 months of remission but my recurrence was classified as Class 4. Current chemo ( immunotherapy didn't work) is keeping the cancer under control ( nodules and lymph nodes). My quality of life is good but I am a realist and would have no hesitation in ceasing treatment. ... View more

My chemo record is as follows : 2007..12 cycles of Folfox 4 ( Oxaliplatin + 5FU) 2017..4 Cycles of Gemcitibine + Carboplatin 30 daily radiation treatments 6 weekly cycles of Taxol + Carboplatin 2019..4 cycles of Alimta + Carboplatin 2020..6 cycles of Opdivo 4 cycles of monthly protocol Taxol+ Carboplatin I have yet to lose any hair ... View more

I think this chemo brain thing is over-emphasised. I have had 2 types of cancer ( St.3 Colon in 2007, Stage 3 NSCLC in 2017, NED and recurrence of NSCLC this year). Both times I have worked through treatment and still work 3 days a week at 70. I have experienced none of those symptoms which seem prevalent among patients who "take to the couch". Use it or lose it. ... View more

I've been using One Bite at a Time by Rebecca Katz since my Colon Cancer experience in 2007. ... View more

In the end just do it. I have had Stage 3 Colon Cancer in 2007 and Stage 3 NSCLC in 2017. that recurred in lung nodules in 2019. I have obviously had a lot of chemo and radiation in that time. I could count on my fingers the number of days off that I have had. ... View more

I make no claims about being a tough old rooster. I have continued working from Day 1 and have been through Stage 3A Colon Cancer in 2007, Stage 3A NSCLC in 2017, recurrent Stage 4 NSCLC in 2019. People sometimes need reminding that it isn;t quite business as usual but I'm not ready to take to the couch yet. ... View more

I take all of these side effects warnings with a grain of salt. They may not effect you. I had my 6th dose of Opdivo yesterday.Prior to my 1st infusion I was given pages of possible side effects. I have one, itching/rash which I have under control. I was diagnosed with Stage III NSCLC in April 2017. I had 4 cycles of Gemzar+ Carboplatin followed by 4 rounds of Taxol + Craboplatin and 30 doses of radiation. I was for 16 months, cancer free. In 2019 I was rediagnozed. After 4 cycles of Alimta + Carboplatn  , chemo was halted./ My Haemoglobin had dropped to 71g/L. I had a chemo holiday until I started the Opdivo. I turn 70 in July. ... View more

Tom   I have only recently begun posting on this forum. Prior to that I posted on a US forum that was extremely active internationally. On that forum there were many Stage 4 members with many years cancer-free.  There is always plenty of hope. ... View more

NED...No Evidence of Disease I had a small tumour 25mm dia + 1 lymph node. Tumour had not penetrated outer layers of bowel. In 2017 I was Diagnosed with Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (a new primary). It was not operable but chemo + radiation wiped it out. Unfortunately early 2019 it returned in lung nodules. More chemo ( Alimta + Carboplatin). I don't know its effect on the tumours but it reduced my Haemoglobin to 71 g/litre.Chemo was stopped. Six weeks ago I commenced Opdivo. I will be scanned at the 3 month mark to check on progress. ... View more

I'm an old Stage 3A patient from 2007. Still NED from that cancer. The thing to remember from then is how much treatment has changed. Oxaliplatin had only been available for a short time. Before that it was 5FU and nothing much else. Avastin,Erbitux and Vectibix were distant dreams. Keytruda , Opdivo were unheard of.   ... View more