Having gone through Stage 3C colon cancer at age 68 which required removal of the whole colon and 108 lymph nodes, they thought they got it all, but the oncologist wanted to do adjunct chemo, which I completed in Dec 2021. They didn't give me odds on a recurrence. I too have some cardiac issues. I have 1 remaining suspicious spot which on last scan 4 months ago showed an increase in size - previous to that it had been decreasing. Too small to identify or biopsy at this time. I have another scan tomorrow. I'm playing the "wait and scan" cycle.

Net - I could be where none of us really want to go, even after my chemo, but we don't know.

As for your question, there isn't a clear black/white answer - it's a muddled gray which you make your best guess based on what you know. There are a lot of "We don't knows" in this situation.

First, there are no guarantees that chemo will prevent a future outbreak of cancer but it definitely helps. Second, there are things they can do with the chemo regimen if it's too destructive. They can change the amount and types of chemo - example: dropping the oxaliplatin or add rest time between the two week cycles or even stop chemo completely. Your experience will vary, but chemo can cause some side effects which take a while to heal, notably neuropathy - expect 1-2 months for full recovery for each month you're in chemo - typically 12 cycles at 2 week intervals for colon cancer.

All I can say is ask your medical providers as many questions as you can, do your own research on the web of the treatment regimen/side effects and peoples' experience with it, then make the most knowledgeable decision you can - don't second guess yourself after you've decided.

Hope this helps.

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