Refusal of some treatment

I am 74, and have just finished chemotherapy for the second time in 9 years.  They told me it would be much harder this time.  I had a mastectomy then 12 weekly sessions of Paclitaxel chemotherapy.  I was doing well until the last 3 cycles, then the tiredness just wouldn't go away, and I was very unsteady on my feet.  I've had a few other side effects as well.  Three weeks after finishing I still get very tired and I can't walk far.  I have worked up gradually to walk a mile every day, but I have to use a stick.  I am now having 3 weekly herceptin injections, for a year!  My breast cancer was her2+.  I dont regret having chemotherapy a second time, but I am lucky that my husband has been looking after me very well.  My sister had chemotherapy 3 years ago age 76, and she now has lymphodedema and has to wear a sleeve and a glove most of the time. But she also doesn't regret having chemotherapy.  Like me, she had lots of support from her husband.  We both agree it was hard!  We are all different, and it is a very big decision.  Get lots of advice!  Good luck and best wishes to you whatever you decide to do! xxx

Thank you, I will decide by Friday when I see the oncologist, it's just not easy making the right decision. Good luck to you to xx

Hello Gizmo,  well you certainly have had quite a journey with all the treatments etc and I can only imagine it is difficult to keep on with the program.  I am 76 in good health right now and am on anastrazole for my only treatment.  For me personally I  think it would all hinge on how healthy I was and if I had chronic health conditions to deal with too.  If the treatments were making me feel poorly but it was temporary I probably would continue but if I knew the side effects were going to impact me and make me feel like doodoo everyday I would need to reconsider.  
That is just my opinion and really you are quite the lady to have gone through all this. Big hugs to you and you will make the right choice .

Hopeful Barb makea an important point.  Neither my sister nor I have any chronic health conditions, and that is obviously something that must be taken into consideration!  xxx

Thank you, I have Atrial Fibrillation and diverticular disease so they are affected also  by treatment and procedures and the various drugs, so many difficult decisions, especially now my uterus is involved.

I have 7/12 treatments to go. I was told that paclitaxel would be easier than EC but I too am finding it exhausting. I always have chemo on a Friday and am fine Saturday and Sunday and then the fatigue kicks in and I barely move off the sofa till Thursday. I know I should exercise but I can't. I thought I was the only one getting this side effect as was promised I would have an easier time. I just hope it doesn't get much worse.

It does get progressively worse, but well done!  You are over half way!  I couldn't exercise much while I was having chemo either!  It's 4 weeks since my chemo ended, and I can now walk 2 miles, still with  a stick,  but I am getting stronger every day.  I walk most days and go a little bit further each time. I also do leg exercises like standing on one leg for 30 seconds.  Stick with it, you are doing really well!  Do tell the nurses how you feel though!  Just resign yourself to the fact that it will take a while to recover after your chemo has ended too!  If you get achey legs, use a hot water bottle. I still do that now in the evenings.  Good luck!  Stay positive!  The best thing about weekly sessions is that it soon ends.  When I had 3 weekky EC chemo 9 years ago I only had 6 sessions, but that took 18 weeks!  So don't think about how many more you have to have, just look how far you've come.  Eat well, and rest if you need to.  You will soon get there! xxx