I developed a lump in my groin area...they couldn't find a primary site, so it's called "cancer of unknown primary". The treatment with taxol and carboplatin wasn't that bad. I had to take steroids the night before treatment to stave off allergic reactions to the taxol, and they gave me intravenous Zofran before the carboplatin to avoid nausea. I had absolutely no nausea, but did have a lot of muscle aches andpains from the taxol...still, it was definitely worth it!

I lost my Mom to cancer almost nine years ago, but she fought it for over eight years. She was diagnosed with 3rd stage breast cancer in 1985, and she was on constant treatment, yet she hardly missed a day of work until the last three months of her life. The doctors were not optimistic when she was diagnosed, but she said she wasn't ready to go yet, and, damn it, she wasn't going! But, by the time she died, she was definitely ready.

I hope your Mom's age doesn't prevent them from treating her. She may not get a full remission, but it could give her a few more decent years. Also, attitude is everything. If your Mom wants to fight, then encourage the doctors to help her fight it. If she doesn't want to fight, that's also her decision. Each case is so individual, and each person is so individual, that it's really impossible to generalize on what she should or shouldn't do.

Please keep me posted...I'll keep you and your Mom in my prayers.

[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 04-03-2002).]