First chemo 3 weeks ago. I was most unwell and ended up in A&E with crushing pains to my chest neck legs and shoulders. Is there anyone out there who feels like me about stopping chemo and going onto radiotherapy. Does anyone understand at all ?
Hi Vag, we all understand. Lots of amazing women on this site have had chemo and endured the side effects, it is the price of life and I would ask you not to come off chemo unless it is completely unbearable, the NHs don't offer chemo without a very good reason and if, at any time in the future, your cancer came back, you would regret not giving yourself every opportunity of living out your natural life. We know it is hard but it is doable, speak to your team about your side effects and see if they can do anything to help. You can do this, Ann
We do understand but please discuss this now with your oncologist before making any final decisions. They can tweak the chemo to make the side effects less but they need to know how you felt. It is possible they might even advise stopping. I only had five out of six because I had a severe reaction to the Taxotere which continues to cause me some difficulties.Whilst stopping the chemo at that point doesn't seem to affected my survival as my cancer was six years ago, I don't think my oncologist would have stopped the treatment as early on as you are and sadly, when I was first diagnosed one or two ladies chose no treatment and they have since died. Coincidence? Maybe.....but I don't think I could have been that brave even though like you my side effects were dreadful with the FEC before the Taxotere did it's damage.
Difficult decisions for you but don't make them on your own. Take care. Love Karen
Hello Vag, I understand how you are feeling as I ended up in hospital for 3 nights early on in my chemo treatment due to adverse side effects. However my oncology team were able to prescribe medication to deal with and reduce the side effects, and I also had a one week break from chemo, and I haven't suffered any really severe side effects since although it hasn't always been easy. I've now had 7 cycles of chemo, with just one more to go before further surgery and radiotherapy. As others have posted, please speak to your oncology team about how you are feeling to see what they can do to make things better for you next time x
Completely understand. I was not too bad on EC but docetaxel floored me. I discussed with my oncologist and they reduced the dosage to 85% for the final 2 cycles. It was much more bearable. I asked them about likely decrease in effectiveness and they said no. They give you maximum dose to start with and then they have somewhere to go if you are not getting on with it. The margins are quite large in terms of best dosage.
Docetaxel ended up shrinking my lump more than EC, so it was just as good on a reduced dosage.
As others have said, there is a reason they want you to have chemo. It is tough at times but you will get through it. There is plenty of help for side effects but even then, you are not going to feel well or like yourself for a while.
But you will get through it and out the other side and enjoy life again. It seems like forever but it will soon be over and then you will know you have given yourself the best chance
