Chemo is finished: Now what?

I experience the same as you with my cancer care team when I bring up all the side effects from my chemo and now my immunotherapy, they tell me to see the family care doctor or other specialists, I think about it often if it is really beneficial to go through immunotherapy for another year, it may delay the recurrence, no one knows- I'm thankful I survived the surgery and the 6 difficult rounds of chemo with good results-

Statistically, people who receive chemo, radiation, etc. have fewer recurrences than people who don't. But of course, many people have a recurrence despite having chemo etc., myself included. Having chemo and vaginal brachytherapy after my hysterectomy was still the right thing to do. With the benefit of hindsight, I should have had external beam radiation too, but not doing it was also reasonable. And there's no way to know whether that would have changed the outcome.

I'm curious what you think should have been better about your treatment. From my perspective, you appear to have received the best that modern medicine has to offer plus more, since you're on a clinical trial that might help while probably having minimal side effects.

I'm not in a trial. I'm getting herceptin which is an her2 targeted therapy. I don't think there is any other options for me. There's just so little research and so little anything being done for the cell line that I have. It almost always comes back. It's only 10% of uterine cancers, but it causes 40% of the deaths. Not great odds.

Sorry for being mistaken about the trial. I do still think you're getting the best that's available from modern medicine. So am I, for all the good it's doing me. You want a cure. I want a cure. But all we can have is the best they can do with what's known now.

I wholeheartedly agree with your perspective, Denise, regarding medical doctors and healthcare. After searching for answers for my abdominal pain following my hysterectomy due to uterine cancer, I have now consulted with a naturopath doctor.
The previous specialist told me, "You're a mystery," as all the tests came back normal.
He prescribed me an elixir for ulcers, but last year's colonoscopy showed no signs of stomach ulcers. My naturopathic doctor suggested that the nerves in my stomach might have been damaged during the surgery, which could explain my slow stomach emptying.
I have lost faith in doctors. Often, they seem to have no idea what is happening. I will continue to advocate for myself, and I know you will do the same.🌟

That sounds scary

It is scary and painful, but I am on the road to recovery. I have started the treatment recommended by my naturopathic doctor.
I have faith that 2025 will be the year my health will be fully restored. Take care, Denise.

@denisestlouie
The system is bad and I understand your frustration. Still, your self-caution to avoid the snake oil salesmen is warranted. I am reminded of my father's counsel. Nothing is so valuable to you as a healthy disrespect for everybody else's opinion. That goes for most of the posts here including mine.

Find the doctor your trust and forget about the system. Oops, another opinion! You know what to do. Ignore it also.
Best always
s!
Scott Jensen

Thank you Scott.

I am reading a lot about what I can do to stay healthy and maybe increase my ability to stay disease free. I'm reading a book on integrated oncology. A google search did come up with several groups in my area. But I like my current oncologist. I trust him. I also work with and environmental and holistic Doctor. He is also an MD. I also have a therapist and a personal trainer who are both trained in working with people with chronic illnesses. So I have created an integrated program for myself. It's disjointed in that none of these providers know each other. I see my situation like a home remodel and I'm the general contractor. I would have preferred to out source that job, but I can't with the current situation. But you know, I believe now that I'm finished with therapy it's 98% up to me to fuel my body properly. It's up to me to move my body everyday. It's up to me to pay attention to my body's signals. It's up to me to show up for medical appointments. It's up to me to advocate for myself with providers.

What is so sad is that it takes money to do this. I'm currently in a position to do this for myself without going bankrupt. Many people don't have the resources that I have. They don't get to do what I'm able to do for myself. I believe there is enough information about integrated oncology that it should be part of every practice and insurance should cover it.

Thank you

Here is to you and I having a healthy 2025.

Denise