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Mom skipped a cycle of chemo, nervous (stage 3 rectal cancer)

Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2018 10:40 am
by MassMike
Hey all,

My mother is 4 cycles into her folfox regimen and she got a cold. Her onc decided to cancel her chemo this cycle until the next one because of the possibility of worsening infection and I'm wondering is this a bad thing? Will this effect anything if she skips a cycle? Does skipping a cycle have any negative effects in relation to survival? This is essentially mop up chemo as all the cancer was removed during her LAR and had negative lymph nodes and clear margins. Thanks :)

Re: Mom skipped a cycle of chemo, nervous (stage 3 rectal cancer)

Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2018 3:53 pm
by Aqx99
That is no different than having to put off chemo due to low blood counts. I had to put off cycle 5 for one week, and cycle 6 for two weeks due to my blood counts. It should not have a negative effect on her treatment.

Re: Mom skipped a cycle of chemo, nervous (stage 3 rectal cancer)

Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2018 5:23 pm
by NHMike
I skipped a week after my third cycle. I dropped to 75% on the Oxaliplatin after the third cycle and 70% on the fourth. We skipped the Oxaliplatin completely for the fifth because of neuropathy issues. We cut back from 4000 to 3,500 Xeloda after the third cycle. The neuropathy has decreased but isn't completely gone. We will probably resume the Oxaliplatin for the sixth round. Things aren't written in stone.

Folks that have severe weather problems like Houston last year had no choice - MD Anderson was closed because of flooding issues for several days so patients were delayed. Some people also have trips planned, graduations, weddings, etc. and the doctor can say sure, go ahead. I've seen it happen a lot.

Re: Mom skipped a cycle of chemo, nervous (stage 3 rectal cancer)

Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2018 6:08 pm
by juliej
I wouldn't worry a bit about it if I were you. Chemo builds up in the body, so skipping one cycle doesn't affect the outcome that much. I'd worry more about her cold turning into something serious if she didn't skip a round, especially since this is mop-op chemo.

Take a deep breath. It's going to be fine!

Juliej

Re: Mom skipped a cycle of chemo, nervous (stage 3 rectal cancer)

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2018 8:17 am
by Robino1
I'm currently on my fourth week skipping a cycle due to 5FU causing some toxic issues in my hands. I'll be getting chemo again in my 5 week.

A couple of times I have gone a month. Each time my CEA still dropped in points. I am very curious about what my number will be after this latest break.

The rise in CEA has not happened during any breaks.

Re: Mom skipped a cycle of chemo, nervous (stage 3 rectal cancer)

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2018 8:43 am
by Mercy110
I have similar concerns with you before, but my mum take a month rest in Feb for traveling and her CEA was within the normal range still. Now she is having her 2 month break due to Folfox Allergy.
Skipping one or two cycles won't hurt.