Has anyone made the decision to not have the 4th adjuvant chemo treatment? I'm considering this.

Hi

I had an upper right lobectomy and part of the middle lobe removed too in October 2023. The op was very successful and my surgeon was very happy to tell me he had removed

2 cancers from my lung and nothing was found in the lymph nodes that he also removed. He also told me I would be offered adjuvant chemo to make sure the cancer did not return.

My adjuvant chemo began 8th January 2024. Pementrexed and Cisplatin 4 treatments were planned. I tolerated the first treatment pretty well. Wee problem with constipation but

managed to resolve that on second treatment by taking laxatives the day before treatment and for a couple days after. This was good advice from my consultant oncologist before

the 2nd treatment. However, I did suffer terrible fatigue with the second treatment.

I discussed this with my consultant and asked if the third treatment could be adjusted. She agreed to delay the third treatment for a week and would also give me extra steroids

to take for an extra few days after the treatment. She said gradually reducing the steroids would help with fatigue symptoms this time. This was true, I did feel ok on the

reduced steroids. However, as soon as I stopped the steroids the fatigue began again. I have pretty much been in my bed since last Sunday. Yesterday was the worst day,

I could not lift my spirits at all. I feel a bit better today but I have made the decision that I don't want to have the 4th treatment. 

I am expecting a call from my consultant next week where we will discuss having the 4th treatment. or not. She said to me last time I spoke to her that they are considering that

3 treatments of adjuvant chemo may well be enough to ensure the cancer does not return. I am sure she will respect what ever decision I make.

So, what I am really asking here is has anyone else made the decision to not have the 4th adjuvant chemo treatment. I just get the feeling that my body is telling me it has had

enough of that.

I feel so grateful that I have had a fantastic team all the way through this 'roller coaster ride', I refuse to call it a journey. It started with my GP who referred me for Xray after

a chest infection. I was then referred to a respiratory consultant who diagnosed and staged the cancer, then to a surgeon who removed it, then a consultant oncologist.who

planned the treatments. I have also had a clinical nurse specialist who kept in contact all the way through. The best team. The NHS is just amazing.