Chemotherapy not completed due to severe side effects.

Hello,

I can understand your concerns because one assumes if something is prescribed, it is necessary. However, reacting adversely to drugs is also not acceptable.  You have had a rough time and the problems with your heart are serious. It was wise to stop the chemo. Also your treatment isn't over. You will still have radiotherapy and a variety of other drugs over the next few years. I'm sure any stray cells will be uncovered if indeed they are lurking. Have you had a PET scan? If not, ask and see if one is possible. It will highlight any remaining cells and if there are none, it's  so reassuring. Everyone with cancer has one at my clinic.........

The reason I am replying to your post is that my chemo was also stopped after I reacted very badly to the taxotere. Unfortunately nerve damage was permanent in my feet and hands and I still have problems. I continued with radiotherapy and as I had TNBC no further drugs. That was six years ago. My cancer hasn't returned.

Like you I was a bit uneasy about stopping.....I had had five out of six.....but my oncologist told me that none of them know really how much chemo is required. Back in early 2016, 6 sessions was the norme. Some experimentation was in place to reduce quantities and extend doses to suit individuals but this was early trials. My oncologist said that he felt if you had a dozen chemo sessions it might not prevent a return just as one might also be sufficient. In general the amount they gave seemed to be working. Since them chemo has become personalised. There are so many variations. Some will be determined by the type of cancer or the persons medical history but other protocol will simply be the oncologist's preference.

So try not to worry. You couldn't have continued with the side effects you were getting. Think positively now. The chances are that like me you will have had sufficient treatment when everything is completed to keep the cancer away and you will make a good recovery.

I wish you well. Love Karen

Hi Coyg, so sorry you have been so unwell, i didn't have mine stopped but i did have it reduced and I can remember the anguish and worry that caused me.  I was told they work out the drugs on body weight and that doesn't suit everyone, also don't forget the chemo keeps working for weeks/months after treatment has finished, I stopped chemo last Septemer but still have side effects so the drugs are still working in you, you can only make the best choice at the time and take the experts advice, thinking of you, Love ANn

Hello Karen. Thank you for your positive reply. It’s so reassuring to know that was 6 years ago, however I’m sorry it has left you with permanent nerve damage.   I have not had a PET scan, I have now on your advice asked for one. Although worried what it will find.  I feel I have been cursed. Being diagnosed with cancer is hard enough to come to terms withI’m still trying to process it having looked after my health all my life with added bonus of no family history both maternally and paternally. It’ certainly does not discriminate. Life literally chaed over night, 6 months on and still feeling pretty miserable with all that’s happened but this blow of not being able to continue chemotherapy has been the icing on the cake. In fact only today dueo terrible trouble to canulate me whilst non hospital I’ve now developed superficial thrombophlebitis, on antibiotics and heparin gel. My chemotherapy treatment initially was EC, but that landed me hospital and took me 6 weeks to recover so next treatment delayed. Changed then to Paclitaxel every day for 9 weeks, heart palpitations  first time, then I had to self isolate because of being ping resulting in a A further delay, anaphylactic shock second treatment, heart problems, chest tightness and palpitations third treatment, treatment then had to be stopped as it’s cumulative and every eatment seemed to get worse and then delayed because I was not match fit for following weeks treatment even at the lowest dose. Oncologist felt the treatment was to dangerous and not effective and w anxious to continue with radiotherapy and medication. I had to make that decision. So effectively I’ve only had 4 treatments one EC which caused the perforation of bowel, Neutropenic sepsis, infectn site was in the bowel due to the perforation because at the time they could not identify where the infection was. It was when 6 days later I developed severe abdominal pain. Absolute nightmare. It mentally so tough, but no doubt my decision was the right one, couldn’t carry on as body said nope!  Not sure how I’d be treated if cancer cells still active and metastasis develop. As you can tell’m finding it hard to remain positive due to so many obstacles, cancer sure does pack a hard punch, and every time I seem to get up the punches get harder the the getting up equally harder, as for t anxiety, it’s indescribable. It certainly though encouraging to read your journey, and I hope and pray mine follows yours. 
Much love and the best of luck with your journey. 
Sending you lots of love 

Heidi

xx

Not sure how I got the champagne bottles popping up! Certainly don’t feel like opening one! So apologies xx

Hello Ann. Thank you for replying. Mine was also reduced and changed following initial EC treatment. I have been reliably informed that the chemotherapy iin fact stays within your system for at least 12 months. I hope the limited amount will be effective, but still worrying that I was unable to tolerate it. Thank you again for your reassurance I guess we all live with the fear of relapse regardless whether we have competed chemotherapy or not. I’ve got to learn a way of managing my anxiety as I can’t change this situation, it seems though given your reply your anguish and worry did eventually subside, so hopefully mine will in time. I hope your side effects will cease soon and you continue to make good progress in your recovery. 
Much love and thank you again for replying 

Heidi

Xxxxx

Hi Coyg I’m at the start of all this, still got to get official diagnosis but I’m feeling so anxious like you and can hardly think of anything else.  Yesterday I went to bed early, wore an eye mask and put on some calming music with my dogs keeping me company.   It worked though it’s only temporary I know.  I also found great relief when I spoke to the Macmillan help line nurses (twice) and they may be able to give you some advice.  Wishing you lots of luck for the future x

Bless you Wobbly1.  I know exactly how you feel, I do not feel any better since finding my lump end of February. Nothing has changed mentally for me. Macmillan have been brilliant I have to say. I’m having CBT support and counselling too. Tbh though I’m the only one that can get through this by finding strategies to be positive, hard it is. My GP has prescribed sleeping tablets and sleep helps recovery. I pray your results will be normal and that weight is lifted and you can go on living your life as it was before without the extra anxiety. Personally I’ve forgotten what that was like. 
Sending you health and happiness and a fabulous future. 
Much Love Heidi x

Hi 

I’ve just read your post.    I have had 3 cycles (out of 6) but have developed neuropathy in my finger tips.   My oncologist said he was ‘twitchy’ about e continuing as it could get worse and be permanent.  I’m at higher risk as I’ve had doceyaxol before.   The chemo was a mop up after surgery.  I feel very frightened.  My tumour was tnbc