A Question About Chemo
@LeaPea2417 (36580)
Toccoa, Georgia
March 22, 2018 1:08pm CST
My Mom has Cancer in 4 lymph nodes. She is scheduled to have her first round of Chemo March 29th. But between now and then, she has other tests to go through. One test set for tomorrow is an Echocardiagram to check her heart.
This is what she said in the recent email she sent to me and my sister. She said that the reason for the Echocardiagram is to make sure her heart is strong enough for Chemo.
I was so surprised by this! I never thought people might not be healthy enough for Chemo.
So, my question is this? What happens if my Mom's heart is not strong enough for Chemo and the Doctor then says she shouldn't receive it?
I asked her this through an email and she said , she didn't know. She said if that happens, she guesses she will just die.
Do any of you know or can speculate what will happen if her heart is not strong enough for Chemo? Would they recommend another type of medicine?
19 people like this
21 responses
@sprite1950 (30453)
• Corsham, England
22 Mar 18
My sister had all these tests before chemo and she was fine. Is there any reason to think she may have a heart problem? The doctors will not risk chemo if her heart is not strong enough.
4 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (36580)
• Toccoa, Georgia
22 Mar 18
She sometimes says her heart races, but she has not been diagnosed with any heart problems by a doctor.
4 people like this
@sprite1950 (30453)
• Corsham, England
22 Mar 18
@LeaPea2417 She might have palpitations. I have an ectopic heartbeat which means my heart throws up an extra beat. It's not dangerous though, it just gives me a fluttering sensation.
3 people like this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
22 Mar 18
Yes radiation is an option also. The doctors are doing the combo radiation and chemo already, Yes they can do low doses spread out longer.
Don`t worry she`ll get treatment.
4 people like this
@jstory07 (135092)
• Roseburg, Oregon
22 Mar 18
@LeaPea2417 I hope everything will work out for her.
2 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (36580)
• Toccoa, Georgia
22 Mar 18
I do know from one of her friend's research about her Doctor, that this Doctor is top notch. So, that pleases me she has a good Doctor. I still am concerned and really am praying for her.
3 people like this
@kobesbuddy (75074)
• East Tawas, Michigan
22 Mar 18
I wonder if the doctors might consider radiation, instead of Chemo. My friend had cancer in lymph nodes and that was the treatment they used on Karen.
2 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (36580)
• Toccoa, Georgia
22 Mar 18
That might be the option. There was another family member who had Cancer who only needed Radiation. So that could be it.
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (75074)
• East Tawas, Michigan
22 Mar 18
@LeaPea2417 Karen's cancer was in the lymph nodes of her one leg. She received these treatments over twenty years ago.
2 people like this
@Jessabuma (31700)
• Baguio, Philippines
22 Mar 18
Well, I am not good in explaining those kind of things but I prayed for her fast recovery and good luck.
2 people like this
@Anithakumar (2)
•
22 Mar 18
Perhaps they might give a lesser dose or change to an alternate agent that won't affect the heart. IF there are signs of heart failure and it's caught early, it can be treated with medicines as well.
It all comes down to the severity of cancer itself.
Please do bring up the concern on the next visit
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (96407)
• Marion, Ohio
22 Mar 18
Hopefully they feel she is strong enough for it. My Mom had radiation and chemo a couple of years ago. They had to stop the chemo part ways through because her blood counts were dropping too low but she was able to finish her radiation. They did discuss other treatments if necessary after that. But her tumors were shrinking so that was not needed. They now have different ways that I am sure the doctors will discuss with her if needed and that they feel can be effective for her type of tumor. Sending healing thoughts to her and calming thoughts to you. I know it is a very scary thing to deal with.
2 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (36580)
• Toccoa, Georgia
22 Mar 18
Thanks for your calming thoughts.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (66918)
• United States
22 Mar 18
I'm just as surprised as you.. i hope you get answeres, and that her heart is good!
1 person likes this
@Courage7 (19633)
• United States
22 Mar 18
I do know that if that was the case of the heart not strong enough, there are other ways to get chemo ..there is a cancer fighting in pill form now Anne. I am not sure of all the ins and outs, but my neighbor here, her sister took the pill instead of the traditional chemo and beat the cancer.
I pray your Mom does well and that she is healed.
1 person likes this
@Courage7 (19633)
• United States
23 Mar 18
@LeaPea2417 Yes perhaps the oncologists will know all the alternatives for this.big hugsxo
1 person likes this
@Starmaiden (9311)
• Canada
23 Mar 18
The doctors know what they are doing. Trust them. Sending prayers to your mom. :-)
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (49274)
• United States
23 Mar 18
I wish I knew the answer. I'm sure there must be another option. 
1 person likes this
@rakski (112925)
• Philippines
22 Mar 18
I think the patient who is going to receive the chemo should be physically stable healthwise. Because chemo is a process that will kikl all cells good and bad. Sometimes even if the patuent has a colds, she cannot have the chemo. Probably the ECG is just to check everything is good with her. If they find something wrong, then they have to address it first before undergoing chemo.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (74114)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
22 Mar 18
I have no idea but I found this link. I will put in a prayer for your mom.
Pre-treatment heart function tests can help you later
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (36580)
• Toccoa, Georgia
22 Mar 18
Thanks for the information and thanks for the prayer.
2 people like this
@JESSY3236 (19057)
• United States
23 Mar 18
I never heard that either. They may suggest another treatment.
1 person likes this
