courage to say no to chemo

Blossom, ((((((((((hugs)))))))))).  No one should ever have to make the decision you are facing, but far too many do. 

If the first course of chemo that you did a few months ago didn't manage to keep the disease at bay, why do the doctors think there will be a different outcome with the next round that they are proposing?

Most of us who have chosen not to do chemo were being offered it as a kind of insurance against recurrence.  You might get a different perspective from those on the palliative care threads, who are in a very different situation, that is more like your own from what you are posting. 

Choosing which symptoms to treat when, and how to treat them is taking control of the situation, not giving up.  Some women have found that they actually get more time as well as more quality of life when they choose how to live the time they have left to them. 

hello,im just writing to thank everyone for their messages,because noone knows til your in the situation urself,ive decided im definatley not goin to have anymore chemo as there are no guarentees and after having intense chemo for the best part of a year i dont think i could cope mentally or physically,if only my family were as understanding as the people that i have spoke to on here,it would make a world of difference,thank you all xx

ps yazmin i will deffo try and track down a copy of caroles book,thanks xx

Teka

Thanks for the encouragement. I visit the threads daily but just don't post often. I hope things are going well for you.

Sad news down my end...

We just buried my uncle last week. He was the youngest of my father's brothers...and only 48. Several months ago he was holidaying in Europe with his wife and 4 children, and fell and broke a bone. He was diagnosed with stage II multiple myeloma. Unfortunately he panicked form the get go...and was a wreck during treatment...insisting that he was going to die...that the chemo was killing him. He never once embraced treatment with strength, and a positive outlook. He died from septic shock from chemotherapy...just two months into treatment. My cousins lost an amazing, humble, giving and loving father. I'm so sad for them.

On the other hand...I have mentioned a dear family friend who was diagnosed with stage IV multiple myeloma and was given 6 months to live with chemo. He declined chemo, much to the doctors' dismay. He felt the chemo would kill him before the cancer...and he was right. He embraced his alternative protocol with confidence, strength and intense research. This was thirteen years ago...his joints get a little sore but he's still with us. Perhaps if my uncle had done the same...instead of falling for the doctors scare tactics he may be with us. Just sooo sad.

My mother and aunty (my father's sister) decided to have a breast reduction 5 years ago...and my aunty never woke up from anaesthesia. Tragic...it's still shocking to think about.

I have a dreadful reaction to anaesthetic...and am more fearful of conventional treatment than the cancer I once had. I had 22 out of my 33 rads, and declined tamoxifen. I personally prefer the alt route...it suits me. Radiotherapy has caused some problems with my nose. I had 6-8 months of nose bleeds and my team of specialists are keeping an eye on things. Nose cancer runs in my family...and I am constantly on top of my protocol to make sure I do not have a reoccurrence.

No doubt conventional treatment saves many lives...but it also takes many lives.

Conventional treatment is not for everyone.

Take care...x

Victoria

Hey Merilee,

I've been following your journey with interest and concern.

I never needed chemo and I don't need any more treatments. I'm happy to say I'm doing fine. If I ever do have a reoccurrence...I will weigh everything up then.

Hope all goes well with you...x

last post on this thread, prior to yours was 2011. Good topic, never the less

hi joy. I'm like you who opted for no chemo. I did have modified radical mastectomy with multiple lymph node excisions. And yes friends & medical professionals urge me to do it. But i can't imagine myself going thru that ordeal. Anyway there are many alternatives being presented now. I have started on herbal treatments: guayabano leaves tea, turmeric, ginger tea, lemon water, mostly veggie diet fruits too. Minimal meat. There are new technologies which are being offered like hyperthermia or cryosomething etc here in the philippines and china. I might try those if i have a recurrence. Meanwhile i will enjoy what i like in my life: travel gardening cooking reading etc etc which i might not enjoy with chemotheraphy. I am 71 years old & wanting to live to 100! Well , i'll be grateful to have a full active fun life for 10-15 years perhaps. Keeping my fingers crossed! We all die one way or another, is what i say! might as well enjoy life despite cancer!