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Stopping maintenance chemotherapy

Pompom
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I am 56 years old, and was diagnosed with stage 4 nsclc last year. I have been receiving chemotherapy treatment since January with chronic side effects. I changed to maintainence chemo in August which contains less of the chemotherapy drugs. I have still been suffering from bad side effects, so the dosage has been reduced for the past two treatments with no change. My oncologist has broached the subject of stopping all treatment. I am well aware that my disease is terminal, and have come to terms with this.

My xrays and CT scans have showed some shrinkage of some tumours, and no further metastases or growth. My quality of life is pretty poor at the moment due to the chemo side effects. I'm inclined to agree with my oncologist and stop all treatment. Has anyone had experience of this situation? What were the consequences? What is my survival time likely to be?

  • Offline in reply to Pompom

    hi  pompom,

    thank you for your reply.  he is glad to have made the decision to stop and  is already feeling better than he did.  we are finding  that  he is more alert and taking an interest  in things as well as improving physically. however he is still struggling to eat and is weak because of this. 

    chemo  may be fine for some  but definitely not everybody. 

    hope you  keep well. carroll xx

     

  • Offline

    Hi Pompom, I am truly sorry, what you are going through, it is a difficult phase, I am 67 and am stage 4 invasive carcinoma of the breast with lymph node involvement, I have Metastasis in my left arm, chest wall, armpit, I have had 4 failed chemotherapy due to disease not responding, or causing me heart problems, I am on the last chance Chemotherapy, But since I started having this last Chemotherapy found it had progressed to my chest wall, I have spoken to my oncologist who explained what care I would have following stopping treatment, I am having a meeting this coming Thursday where I will make my final decision, I came to terms with what will happen and have busied myself with growing Roses which are quite rare, I enjoy it, it keeps me sane, My thoughts are with you, and should you wish to stop your treatment I am certain you will have made the right choice for you, I will keep you in my prayers.

  • Offline in reply to carroll

    Hello

    New to this, my Brother has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer along with liver,lymph nodes and lung cancer.

     

    he is started on the 3 week and one of but only been able to do the 2 sessions.

    When starting chemo became very tired  etc, but no sickness as the gave him anti emmitics he has had to stop due to a blocked bile duct, when he starts chemo again he is going to try one week and one week off 

    Rather than you stopping the chemo would you be able to do this would it make life easier for you

     

  • Offline in reply to Pompom

    Just been reading Pompoms posts and replies. What an extremely brave and courageous lady you are, I admire your decisions you have taken to have more quality time towards the end of your life!.

    (pompom has not posted since July 2019 ?)

     

  • Offline in reply to colinib

    Hi, thought I should let you know that I'm still alive and kicking! 

    I have continued to remain pretty stable, with the tumours growing very slowly until last August when a CT scan showed that the cancer had spread to my central lymph nodes again. My oncologist persuaded me to try radiation treatment (no more of that nasty chemotherapy for me)! I finished the treatment in October, with very few side effects (mainly oesophagitis). A further CT scan in January showed that unfortunately, the radiation treatment has not worked and has actually caused more damage (scar tissue in my lung). 

    My oncologist has suggested more chemotherapy which would give me on average an extra 6 weeks of survival. My response was of course a resounding no! As I have said before, quality of life is far more important to me than quality, and I intend to savour that quality in reasonably good health. I continue to enjoy life and stay positive and determined. I have had a few setbacks with chest infections and a hospital stay, but otherwise I'm fit and well. I've been working in my garden, and hopefully will enjoy some sunny days outside with family and friends later this year.

    Thankyou for all your replies and support. I love reading your comments and encouragement.

  • Offline in reply to Pompom

     

    Hi Pompom,

     Thank you so much for your update. We are delighted to hear that you are still alive and kicking, despite the various setbacks that you've experienced. I'm so sorry to hear that the radiation treatment hasn't worked and has left you with further problems. It sounds as if you are still quite sure about refusing chemo and, I'm delighted to hear that you are happy with the decision you took.

    This has been a very strange year and has put all of our lives into perspective. I'm so glad to hear that you are holding on to that positivity and still able to work in your garden. I am currently coping with a greenhouse that is bulging with bedding plants. With the current setback in the weather it is still too soon to plant them out, as we are still getting frost at night.

    I do so hope that things will return to normal this year and that you can catch up with family and friends again later in the year. 

    Stay well and don't forget that we are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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