Stopping Chemo?

Hi!

So sorry about the rotten SE's with AC, Eachday! Nausea was my worst SE with AC, plus not being able to hardly move for the first 12 days, then I felt normal the last week before the next tx. What is happening to you? Vent away!

I stopped Cytoxan with AC for my last tx due to increased neuropathy in both my feet, progressing up to my knees ( I had mild neuropathy before cancer--a genetic disorder I inherited). Onc. thought Cytoxan was the culprit, but the last AC still increased the neuropathy some more. I was supposed to have taxol afterward, but didn't--too risky to lose more feeling in my feet and legs. I did have Herceptin for 9 months after the 4 tx of AC and have religiously taken my tamoxifen, then letrozole, for the last 7 years. No recurrence as of today.

Hope your Onc. and any BCO members can give you some helpful advice. I know how important it is to feel good and confident with your decision regarding tx. Hang in there! I'll be thinking of you

--Joanne

Each_day - please tell your team that you need help with SE’s! I am only one ahead of you with AC and have had terrible, terrible nausea and flu-like symptoms that keep me in bed for days. After #2 I told my MO I would try anything to make it better and the new meds definitely helped get me through #3 so I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now. We have similar dx’s so I know how important it is to keep going if you can. I think psychologically 3 out of 4 is the worst because you don’t have the milestone of halfway done or last one — you just know you have more of this sh*t to get through! You can do it but do ask for help. Good luck

Definitely contact your oncologist before your next treatment. There are so many different meds out there that could relieve bad SEs. Sending positive thoughts!!!

Yeeeahhh.....I did TCHP and after my 5th of 6 infusions (when I was rolled into her office in a wheelchair and practically demanded to lay down because I couldn't eat for days before), told my MO that I can't do any more. While she didn't outright say "yes you are", she told me that she'd talked lots of patients through that phase. I mustered up the strength to go that one last time. Since then I've gradually recovered from most SEs, had a successful lumpectomy, and am feeling better than I have in a very long time. Guess she knows what she's doing. Hang in there, make sure your MO knows everything you're struggling with, and go beat this monster. You got this!

I am so sorry. Please talk to your oncology team and be honest about all of your SEs. Then can help! I BEGGED my Oncologist to let me quit after 2 AC Chemos as I had such horrible SEs. I told him I would rather die. He took my hand in a doctorly fashion, looked me in the eye, and told me he would not let me quit. He gave me some pep talk, increased meds to help SEs. Now that I am 7 years out, there is not a day goes by that I am not grateful that I completed AC and then Taxol.

I'm always telling cancer patients - it is normal to want to quit, to feel like dying, and wanting to give up. But the next day, you might feel entirely different. It is an emotional roller coaster. Sending all my best wishes to you!