Gem Carbo - metastatic breast cancer (stage 4)

Hi, I have Metastatic Breast Cancer stage 4, after talking with my oncologist I have started Gem Carbo, I had started on the 09th June, with both, and yesterday with one, I have been sick for 8 days with really really bad stomach cramps, and unwell, I don't think I can cope with this and will speak to my oncologist I have a question that is niggling me, If I stop treatment how long will I have? I cannot bear to keep getting sick like this, am spending my life huddled over a sick bowl, My Original Breast Cancer was diagnosed last June, I had stage 3 invasive carcinoma which had spread to my lymph nodes, I had a lumpectomy and 32 lymph nodes removed, Then started on Chemotherapy last September, after two session Chemotherapy had to be stopped due to growth of fresh tumours, I then underwent radical Radiotherapy to kill off the new tumours, This finished in Jan 2020, In March 2020 I presented with 3 growths on my forearm, and after biopsies were metastatic breast cancer, By the time I got to see my Surgeon I had 9 in less than 3 weeks, I now have 24, some of which has burst through the soft tissues and bicep of my left arm, It smells awful and am told this is called Fungating Ulcers, because when they burst through the skin,They present in the shape of Cauliflower.  I am told this is rare, So you see my reasons for wanting to end treatment are valid, I cannot cope with all this, it would appear that this Cancer is out to do its worst, and make my life miserable, I will not let it, I will fight to have what time I have left to be the most joyful and stress free time ever, and I will be happy. 

  • Hello Jax I have metastatic breast cancer too.I am on weekly Paclitaxel since August 2019 and my tumors either dissapeared or keep shrinking and I dont have many side effects.I havent been sick at all.And this week I have even returned to work and tomorrow I habe treatment again.You could ask your oncologist if you can have this drug?Its worth to ask.

     

    Denise

  • Hi, Denise, 

    Thank You, I had Paclitaxel last September and my tumours continued to grow, so this had to be stopped, I underwent radical Radiotherapy even that didn't contain this disease, although It did shrink the tumours that grew with the paclitaxel, I have had 3 false starts with Chemotherapy, the second lot caused me to have a cardiac event, So I think my disease could be more than drugs can stand, But I am grateful to you for your suggestion. Good luck on your journey.