Recently spent 2 weeks in hospital with a cerebral spinal fluid leak in my brain membrane. The fluid was coming out of my eye socket. I had a lumbar drain inserted into my spinal chord. After 10 days there was talk of surgery - an 8 hour surgery that cut open my eye socket, my face, my left arm to harvest tissue to block the leak, and grafts from my leg to repair my wrist. I was terrified but after 2 days of not eating, waiting for the surgery, several ct scans & an mri, the leak stopped & I got to go home. Now the big issue is chemo. My surgeons think my first chemo treatment caused the leak because chemo prevents healing. I’m supposed to have 4 more chemo treatments for preventative reasons, but my surgeons don’t want me to because it may cause the leak to start again, with serious consequences. One surgeon told me that they didn’t save my life from cancer so I could die from a hole in my brain. I didn’t enjoy chemo but I’m not sure how to feel about not finishing my treatments. Any thoughts out there?
In my opinion, better skip the chemo and give your body a chance to heal. There is no guarantee the chemo would benefit you anyway. According to studies, it does not appear to prevent recurrences or metastases but just delay them. But hopefully, you did not loose your eye for nothing and the surgeon removed every single malignant cell.
I agree with Elodie, I just don’t think it’s worth it. I did scanned many forums and research documents on the internet prior to deciding to do it. The % chances of it being successful and having significant long term impact are low and the detrimental sideeffects high (especially In your case). Dont look at it as failing to complete the treatment but making a sensible decision and that you will have more quality time with your son.
Also congratulate yourself on getting through such a tough procedure.
Kia Kaha Trina
thanks so much for sharing Trina.
Trina,
I am Sungwoo Kim from Korea.
I'll praoy to God for you recovery.