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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Breast Cancer / September 2004Re: CMF chemo/Annie
Annie, thanks so much for writing. I am so sorry you had to go through all this again, and hope you are doing well now. I have come to the decision not to do any more chemo. I, too, felt terribly depressed, and had a very negative feeling about the staff and the office where treatment was given. It was like an assembly line, with all the people crowded into a small room, getting treatment at the same time. I have researched the benefits and disadvantages. I find that at age 74, the benefits decrease. I know from friends that cancer may come back, despite chemo the first time. Five years ago, I lost a dear friend, whose heart was damaged by chemo. For some people, the treatment will have no effect upon the cancer and they will get the side effects without any of the benefit. Since there is no diagnosis now of any existing cancer, I feel I do not want to go through 6 months to a year of being tired all the time, or feeling sick. I feel just fine now, and want to get on with my life. If the cancer returns, I would need chemo again, anyway. Also, maybe in 5 to 10 years, if it does return, they will have newer and better treatments. I have a son who lives with me, who has been diagnosed with severe depression. He will see a psychiatrist on the 14th of October. I must be strong enough to take care of him, and to help him feel better. He and my sister both support me in my decision. Sending my best wishes to you, and all the wonderful people in this group. Joan Hi Joan, I can understand and agree with your decision not to do any more chemo. At 74 your age is probably in your favor--if there are more cells lurking somewhere they should be slow growing and may never become a problem. Also, with negative vibes about the whole set-up where you were receiving the treatment I think mentally you will feel better too. It's too bad you're ER-, but maybe add a flaxseed or fish oil supplement daily, and perhaps a CO Q-10 supplement. For what it's worth, I'd make the same decision you did and not re-think it. Enjoy feeling well now. Even tho CMF is not thought to be a difficult chemo, you still would get very tired on it. I only did four cycles of it (age 65) and I got very tired. Couldn't do even the basics some days. When Xray showed it wasn't doing anything for me I quit it. I'm ER+ so I started Arimidex Sept. 1 (so far so good). I'm just now, 2 months after the chemo, feeling more stamina and feeling much more normal again. I'm not against treatment, but I think you were wise in following your gut instincts. Kathie > Hi Joan, > > I can understand and agree with your decision not to do any more chemo. > At 74 your age is probably in your favor--if there are more cells > lurking somewhere they should be slow growing and may never become a > problem. I believe they would be slow growing if they exist, and also understand that chemo attacks the cells that are dividing more quickly. I just don't think it is right for me, at least not at this time when I am feeling so well and so energetic, and life is good again. > Also, with negative vibes about the whole set-up where you were > receiving the treatment I think mentally you will feel better too. It's [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > (so far so good). I'm just now, 2 months after the chemo, feeling more > stamina and feeling much more normal again. It is so good to hear you are doing well now and that Arimidex is working for you. I know you are glad the chemo is over. I will certainly look into the supplements; I know I can do those. I was supposed to have 8 cycles, which seems a lot to me. In just one treatment I felt washed out and slept a lot; also had stomach cramps, but no nausea. No appetite, either, but today I am almost back to normal. > I'm not against treatment, but I think you were wise in following your > gut instincts. I think I am, too. After all, the oncologist has a financial interest in my receiving chemo, so of course, he recommends it. I did call his office and cancel further treatment today; now I can make plans that aren't related to when I have treatments, or whether I will feel like doing things afterwards. I'm looking forward to a birthday celebration on Oct. 1st, with a trip to the mountains, and to the holidays. It is nice to have my life back, and I am feeling good about my decision. Joan > Kathie Joan, First of all, forgive me for not copying all you've written. I'm on WebTV and it's a line-for-line "smallifying" and sometimes I mess it up badly. What I wanted to say is that I can tell from your writing and what you have said that you are very satisfied with your decision and won't spend any time with "what-ifs". This has been the right decision for you! Your pathology, if I remember correctly, was pretty favorable. You came to your decision quickly and with certainity. Good for you! Yes, lately I've been feeling so much better health-wise and also mentally. I sure hope it lasts for awhile. I'm enjoying every day that I get thru without feeling completely wiped out. Enjoy getting back to normal life again....you were so strong to decide what was best for you so quickly before you got hit with the fatigue-factor. I'm definitely not against treatment,but I think you'll do just fine. Enjoy! Kathie > Joan, > [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > so quickly before you got hit with the fatigue-factor. I'm definitely > not against treatment,but I think you'll do just fine. I am so glad to hear you are better mentally and physically. I have just finished doing some landscaping of my patio, for a new home which had only dirt and tumbleweeds, so it was a big job. I also painted the concrete deck I had a contractor put in, because he did such a bad job; now it looks pretty good. I have so much more I want to do and know I can't do it while undergoing chemo. I also know that old people don't respond as well to chemo, and it may have no benefit at all for me. I did have 7 weeks of IMRT radiation, and it was almost fun; such a nice office, caring staff and the greatest woman doctor; I really love her. I will see her again tomorrow, and look forward to it. I never had any fatigue or side effects from the radiation, and my feeling about it was very positive. Thanks for writing. Hugs! Joan > Enjoy! > Kathie >I have come to the decision not to do any more chemo. I, too, felt terribly >depressed, and had a very negative feeling about the staff and the office [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >chemo the first time. Five years ago, I lost a dear friend, whose heart was >damaged by chemo. Hi Joan, The chemo area in my hospital seems to be the nicest part of the whole building. An interior decorator picked the colours and chairs are padded, with footrests and adjustable backs. I still get slightly nauseaus thinking of it, though. You can always have the chemo if the cancer comes back. You will certainly be having lots of checkups from now on. My grannie got breast cancer in her late 70's and wasn't treated for it. She died at a very healthy and happy 102 after tripping and breaking her ankle. Marilyn >>I have come to the decision not to do any more chemo. I, too, felt >>terribly [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > padded, with footrests and adjustable backs. I still get slightly > nauseaus thinking of it, though. It sounds so much nicer and that is important; it is depressing enough, so am glad you had such a neat place to go for your treatment. > You can always have the chemo if the cancer comes back. You will > certainly be having lots of checkups from now on. Yes, I will, and if there is an actual cancer found at some later date, then I will reconsider my decision. But now, they do not know if any stray cells are lurking - I had only 2 positive nodes and 25 negative. Level I and II nodes were all removed. The lesion was only .8 cm and margins were clear - it was a calcification, detected only by mammogram, and this required a wire locator during surgery. > My grannie got breast cancer in her late 70's and wasn't treated for > it. She died at a very healthy and happy 102 after tripping and > breaking her ankle. I hope I am as lucky as your grannie. She sounds amazing! Sending good wishes to you, and thanks so much for writing > Marilyn > I have come to the decision not to do any more chemo. I, too, felt terribly > depressed, and had a very negative feeling about the staff and the office [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > chemo the first time. Five years ago, I lost a dear friend, whose heart was > damaged by chemo. ------------ Hi Joan, I'm Eva. I'm 56, have a stage 3 tumor which is HER2+, and I'm undergoing chemo now. When I finish the chemo I will have a mastectomy and then radiation. I just wanted to say that I just had my first Taxotere treatment today. I finished A&C a few weeks ago. I was supposed to be getting Herceptin with the Taxotere but the oncologist changed her mind about it because of how sick I got from the A&C. Well, my point--and I do have one!--is that I understand perfectly your decision and it's the same one I would make. I don't ever want to be put through this experience (A&C) again. I couldn't eat, I couldn't work much of the time, I couldn't have sex, I couldn't drive 14 miles to visit my 90-year-old father, I could barely take a shower without needing a nap afterwards. I had no quality of life at all. I really hope to make it to age 74, but I don't *ever* want to go through that kind of misery again. I support your decision! You have to do what is right for you. All the best, Eva |
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