Thinking about stopping treatment

Sattipearl

I've had 4-5 different chemos and this last one was a doozy with SEs and no appreciative effect on my shortness of breath due to mets to my left lung.

Just wondered if anyone is willing to discuss your experience or a loved one's with this.

Thanks, in advance

Longtermsurvivor

Hi Satti Pearl,

If I'm reading your bio right, it looks like you have only bone mets and that though the recent batch is ER+. the cancer didn't respond to hormone therapy, so you're left with chemotherapy as your only option?

My situation isn't the same, because I've done very little chemotherapy (personal preference based on pre-existing genetic condition). My cancer has responded to Femara and low dose estrogen, but no other hormonal approaches.

I notice that most folks with MBC resort to increasingly aggressive treatments, including chemotherapy, as their cancer spreads and affects their quality of life more and more. This can be a lethal approach as the body is increasingly worn down by both disease and treatment.

I've gone the other direction, doing less and less conventional treatment as the cancer progresses and have been on hospice for 10 months now. They allowed me to stay on the Femara and Medicare hasn't stopped me yet. But, otherwise, I'm doing only very modest CAM/integrative approaches along with the hospice approach.

For me, this IS a workable solution.

But, I have liver, lung, peritoneal, pleural and node involvement. A bit of bone too - but I don't even do the bone drugs for it. My mets are likely to kill me, bone mets only, I'm not so sure of though?

SattiPearl, I don't think most people with extensive mets like mine live as long or well as I have.

And I don't know what would happen if you decided to stop treatment. They say bone mets are slow, painful and seldom fatal just on their own. You might end up in a heap of trouble, but not dead soon, if you stop treatment.

Still, it's something worth discussing with your own oncologist. Maybe say, "when do I know treatment is futile and what's likely to happen if I stop?"

There are professional, medical guidelines for end-of-life decision-making in patients with advanced cancer:

http://www.choosingwisely.org/patient-resources/ca...

There are no right answers for everyone, just a finding our way as we go!

Trust your heart and your gut after consulting your head and your oncologist. I believe we know what's the best medicine for us.

warmest healing wishes, Sattipearl, Stephanie

jensgotthis

Stephanie has given you wonderful advice and perspective. The only other thought I can offer is to see another doctor to get a second opinion on your status and further options, including whether a treatment break is a potential option. If you are interested in continuing treatment Inwonder too whether a new biopsy might help to see if receptor status has changed again for you. Good luck, only you knows what's right for you. ((Hugs))

Rosevalley

I read your bio and it looks like bone,liver and lung mets. You're short of breath now and you have taken a lot of chemo. Triple negative is a bummer. I would get a second opinion and ask if there are any other options that will keep your QOL. If not hospice and palliative care is a great option. You also have death with dignity meds. I am going that route and already purchased mine. My chemos are failing me too. Good luck with what ever treatment/ stopping treatment feels right to your heart and gut. Prayers your way as this is a very hard decision.