^^
bbm
I don't think SM would have missed her maintenance appointment. Six months post-chemotherapy is such a milestone for patients and SM seemed to have a brilliant new vision for herself and her future. BM should have just let her go!
Understanding Maintenance Therapy
During cancer remission
Maintenance therapy may be used to lower the chance of the cancer coming back. For example, it may be considered after treatment for some types of leukemia and lymphoma. Talk with your doctor about if or how maintenance therapy is used for the type of cancer you have.
How long does maintenance therapy last?
It may last weeks, months, or years, depending on:
- The type of cancer
- The drugs used
- How well it works
- How long you can tolerate any side effects
Benefits and drawbacks
Maintenance therapy may keep cancer from coming back or slow down its growth. But it can also come with disadvantages, including:
- More side effects
- Higher treatment cost
- More doctor visits
If maintenance therapy is an option for you, talk with your doctor about benefits and drawbacks.
Maintenance therapy as a cancer survivor
Some people feel safer taking maintenance therapy. But others feel they are not a cancer survivor if they are still getting treatment. Either way, maintenance therapy is an important part of many people's treatment and recovery plans. Learn more about
survivorship.