Refusing treatment second time round!!Am i mad?

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HelsBels
HelsBels Member Posts: 1
edited June 2014 in Second or Third Breast Cancer

Hi I am a newbie.I was diagnosed with BC in 2005.Also positive for BRCA2 gene.Had 4 primarys in right breast had a bilateral mastectomy and hysterectomy,followed by 6 mths of chemo and then onto Arimadex.I could not stand the side effects of the tablets anymore so went off them after 18mths.Fast forward to Feb 2010 when i was diagnosed with BC mets to the liver.One spot found early and removed leaving me with a lovely 23cm scar to add to my others.

The dilemma now is that the onc wants me to have chemo and go onto Tamoxifen.Weeeeeeell not to keen on either!!The long term effects of the chemo are not something i want to do to my body AGAIN , and as for more tablets with their side effects  NO,NO,NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I How much is it really going to help considering i had the liver resection and they cannot find anything else at this time?!

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  • hollyann
    hollyann Member Posts: 2,992
    edited April 2010

    Hi HelsBels...Sorry you are facing this yet again....Congratulations on NED from liver mets!......I personally think it is a personal choice......My mother for example refused ALL treatment when she was diagnosed at age 35 back int he day when Cobalt was the only treatment along with radical mastectomy.......She lived for another 19 years and had 2 more children after her diagnosis......My sister and I were those children...We are now both NED from bc for over 3 years now.......Then there are those who chose chemo and are still around 20 or 25 years later..............And then there are the angels, some of wom tried everything and lost their battle and some of whm who did nothing and lost too...I personally think it is an individual decision......I hate the SE's of Arimidex but Femara was even worse for me........I feel if I stop the Arimidex I will have recurrence.....Silly I know but that's the way I feel about Arimidex.....I wish you well and hope you find what is right for you.........

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  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,920
    edited April 2010

    Tamoxifen has not been problematic for me. There are some initial adjustments with some side effects, but for the most part, they either have resolved or I have tolerated them.  I know an aromatase inhibitor would have been a nasty one for me, so even though I am post-menopausal, I insisted on Tamoxifen instead of an AI.  I had hot flashes - now ameliorated with the anti-depressant, Effexor. 

    I would at least consider Tamoxifen....

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  • Luna5
    Luna5 Member Posts: 738
    edited April 2010

    HelsBels....I chose not to do chemo, Tamox or AIs.  But, I had different stats than you and have not been tested for BRCA but did have a Hysty/Ooph.  My onco was really pushing the chemo and against me having the OncotypeDX test which I decided to let decide for or against chemo for me and I got lucky with a 0 score.

    I am curious for the future, though.  How did you find out that you had a spot on your liver?  According to my onco, people with my stats only get blood tests.  So, how will I know if I have mets?

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  • pheosky
    pheosky Member Posts: 18
    edited April 2010

    Hi...I noticed a couple of you had side effects from the femara.  I'm taking it and wondering if I'm having any or not..I'm having some issues and not sure I can seperate what is and what isn't anymore.  Please...what were your side effects.

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