Chemo now or in three weeks?

[hope&faith]

I’m just wondering if by delaying Chemo by 3 or so weeks to be where he wants to be for the holidays – is this detrimental to my Father in Laws health, today he say the hematologist who would like him in soon as possible, (he’s been diagnosed with MDS RAEB 12% blasts) they say he’s one of the lucky few who with chemo will be good for some more years, is this okay to delay or what?

[Suzanne]

This has got to be his decision but I personally would not wait if doctors that have a lot of experience with MDS are advising otherwise. A lot can change quickly with this disease. Are you talking about heavy chemo where he would be in the hospital for the whole holiday or something else that just has some inconveniences and maybe side effects involved? Is he being treated at a Center of Excellence?

[Neil]

Waiting has some risks. Blasts can increase at any point. He does not want them to increase and he does not want them to get into his peripheral blood.
Waiting 3 weeks will increase the risks involved.
A difficult decision, but what is most important? The short term or the long term?

[CarolineG]

If the doctor says that it is important for your father-in-law to come in right away, I would take him seriously. Things can change with these diseases very quickly. Sometimes, time wasted can not be retrieved. If your Father-in-law insists on waiting a few weeks, maybe you could phone the hemotologist and discuss the situation. He will be able to tell you how quickly things are progressing and how much time you can afford to put this off.

Good luck,

Caroline

[hope&faith]

The chemo is 1 week with a 3 week hospital stay afterwards

[Author]

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