Fiance had RPLND, now told he will also need 2x chemo

[ElmoGrover]

He's scared. The doctor said the two rounds are much more tolerable than if he had not chosen to get the RPLND surgery and had to do 3 or 4 rounds. Has anyone here had the Rplnd and then chemo? What can he expect? Will all his hair definitly fall out? Will be be able to work? He just had his RplnD on october 3. He's so strong, he thinks he should go to work next week! I told him I thought that was a bad idea since he has to take the bus to get to work and the bumps would be killer. Another question, if you have had the RPLND, how long until you started feeling like yourself? How long after chemo do you start to feel like yourself? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

[Scott]

In how many lymph nodes did they find cancer, and how large were they? (You can validate treatment options against pages 13 and 20 of the publication at this link.)

Best wishes to you both. You'll come through strong.

[dadmo]

ElmoGrover:
If you haven't done it already I would contact an expert for a second opinion about further treatment. There is a very good chance that your friend is cured, even without chemo, but with live disease in the lymph node mass chemo has to be done. You just need to make sure that the experts agree that 2 rounds is the right course of treatment. I'm going to ask the same thing as Scott, how large was the mass, what was it composed of, and how has his blood work been?

[BREwing]

Hello ElmoGrover,

I was in your boat myself. RPLND on 5/12 and then two rounds of chemo starting on 6/19. This was exactly what my urologist told me when I first saw him. Remove the tumor, maybe chemo afterwards depending on the pathology report or possibly get RPLND and worse case maybe 2 rounds of chemo afterwards. Going through the two rounds isn't all that bad, not fun, but not bad either. Plus you will be cured!!! Think of it like you were killing a fly with a sledgehammer.

As for the chemo, yes you will more than likely lose your hair, but its a small sacrifice. If you want, check out all my posts and you can see all I went through. If you do read them, PLEASE keep in mind that I was WORST CASE scenario and do not assume that you will have the same reaction. If you want, send me a personal message and we can speak privately!

Take care and keep your chin up, you'll do just fine!!!

Brian

[dadmo]

Brian:
Do you think the doctor's would have stayed with 2 cycles if you path report wasn't changed? My concern with ElmoGrover is the large embryonal component.

[ElmoGrover]

thanks for the replies - here are some more details

Tumor spread to 3 lymph nodes, and was primarily comprised of embrynal cells. We trust that his doctor has recomended the right course of treatment, she's affiliated with IU and was recomended by several doctors. He had the RPLND on October 3, and is hoping to start chemo next week. He wants to get back to work asap! He's really strong, I just hope I can stay strong for him as well.

[dadmo]

ElmoGrover:
You're in the home streach now, you will be fine. Two cycles of chemo will go very quickly. By Thanksgiving he should be feeling quite well and you will be able to have a very special holiday.

[Lori]

ElmoGrover, I was always considered I wouldn't be strong enough for my husband. But his strength fed mine and vice versa. This experience has brought us closer than ever, I hope it does the same for you.

[bryan_w]

i am sure that with god's help yo8 will be fine. When i was under chemo, i found out that the lord helped me a lot in this phase. You will grow in assurance an love during that stage.. not worry .. thing ill get very well later..