Anyone here stop chemo early?

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monicah
monicah Member Posts: 3
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

I have done one session and feel like the side effects will be worse than the chance of the cancer coming back.  I was diagnosed with a 1.5 cm infiltrating ductal carcinoma.  The onc based the decision to have chemo on my onctype test.  Has anyone here stopped chemo early or decided not to do chemo?  My tumor was est+ & low grade, no lymph nodes involved.  I'm over 50 and post menopausal.

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  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 1,727
    edited December 2012

    While it is obviously your decision whether you go through chemo or not, your doctor would not recommend it unless he/she thought it would be beneficial. For most people, the SEs from chemo are unpleasant but not debilitating, and temporary. Think carefully about it!

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  • ICanDoThis
    ICanDoThis Member Posts: 1,473
    edited December 2012

    If the SEs are that bad, tell your doctor!
    There are GREAT drugs out there - this is not the 1980s.

    Ask for help.

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited December 2012

    Before you decide to stop your chemo, have a chat with your onco about your side effects and possible ways to help you through them or minimize them.  Don't hesitate to tell your onco that your current anti-nausea meds are not working.  Everyone's body reacts differently to chemo and the anti-nausea meds.  Just let the onco know and maybe an adjustment or change in meds will help.  It is worth trying to find a way to make your time in chemoland work for you and help your future outcome.  I know you may not want to call your doctor because you think you are bothering him/her; but you are not.  It is their job to help you through this; you can't get help unless you ask for it and tell them.  Those oncos are available 24/7 to help you. 

    Hang in there..... if you are feeling alone..... don't be.  You have found a great place for support and understanding.  You may want to join one of the Chemotherapy Threads for those starting chemo in November 2012 or October 2012.  You will find there are other gals who are going through what you are experiencing yourself emotionally and physically.  I finished my chemo ( 6 rounds of Cytoxan/Taxotere)  August 7, 2012 and now 4 months PFC.  You can always private message me if you want to chat.  HUGS!!!!

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  • monicah
    monicah Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2012

    Thanks for the responses.  I'm concerned that I'm being overtreated.  At the beginning they kept telling me I probably would only need radiation.  I feel like I was rushed into this treatment.  I've got a call into the doc's office now, waiting on a callback.

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  • H_Reid
    H_Reid Member Posts: 2
    edited December 2012

    I had chemo two years ago.  I was to take 6 treatments but stopped after the third.  It was so bad that i was vomiting for 7 hours and finally drove myself to the hospital at 2 am.  Decided then that that was enough.  I believe I've made the right decision even though I know others didn't think so.  I think you need to just sit with this and listen to your body.  You know what's best for you.  I had two lymph nodes involved but  still felt, for me, it was the right decision.  Wish you well and will keep you in my prayers.

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  • SLB11
    SLB11 Member Posts: 32
    edited December 2012

    I have been feeling the same way this week with SE. It's not easy that's for sure. I was told I wouldn't have to do any treatment after surgery since I just had DCIS? Then final pathology showed 4mm IDC.

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  • monicah
    monicah Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2012

    That's a shocker isn't it?  I was sure I'd only have to do radiation therapy.  I'm feeling much more human now, and will at least do another round.  They gave me a different anti-nausea medicine that helped.  And they say next time will be easier, now that I know what to expect.  We'll see Smile

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