Drop Chemo ?

kel369
kel369 Member Posts: 1
in Breast Cancer #1

I am husband to wife who had breast cancer in 2007.  Surgery & chemo then she was "free" of cancer for 11 years.

On June 19th 2018 she noticed lump on sternum.

June 29 was diagnosed with cancer.

One surgery, two biopsies & several genetic tests later we're told it has spread locally and was "aggressive".

During this time we aggressively used quite a number of "supplements" even though all doctors said "do not use supplements".

The doctor at MD Anderson said she had metastatic breast cancer and there was NO  cure.

I'll try to shorten this:  The lump on her sternum shrank prior to any chemo. 

She took capecitabine for 12 days and had to go to the hospital to drain fluids from her pericardial (heart) area. (They drained 950 ml from pericardium & 1050 ml fluid from left lung.  During the one week hospital stay she took NO capecitabine nor any chemo.  Pet/cat done Sept 21.  This test showed "marked improvement".  Oncologist said he did not think only 11-12 days of capecitabine could work that fast.

The last pet/cat scan was done on January 3, 2019.

Results: "no carcinoma found" on either test.  Also backup Xray & blood shows clean & clear.

THE ISSUE:  'We've' been taking capecitabine since the clean slate of January 3, 2019.

We are both are fairly convinced that the supplements eliminated her cancer--- possibly helped by capecitabine. 

Since chemo degrades and harms the immune system, and the immune system is necessary ultimately for survival--

WHEN DO WE STOP TAKING THE CHEMO?  Our fear is that the chemo will wear the body down so far she'll have the cancer recur BECAUSE OF the chemo.  Doctors do not study supplements.  We're thinking of cancelling fairly soon. 

Any ideas?

Comments

  • Apaugh
    Apaugh Member Posts: 850 Member
    #2
    personal choice

    Be honest with your docs about what you have been taking in addition to the chemo.  Who knows, it might help them to help others one day or it might not be the reason at all.  It a personal choice your wife has to make on whether she wants to do more chemo or not.  

    None of us can make the choice for others.  it is their fight.  

    Prayers for you and your wife going up for better days,

    Hugs, 

    Annie

     

  • Patriot_Mom
    Patriot_Mom Member Posts: 10
    edited April 2019 #3
    Stopping Chemo?

    This is a question I have struggled with myself.  I am not to the point of having to make that decision yet.  However, MD Anderson is the best in the world.  Vanderbilt where I am being treated by a top-notch doctor is right on up there too and I have been told the same thing -- treatment is lifelong.  This is a personal choice that your wife will have to make.  It would be possible -- with your doctor's assitance -- to stop it and get regular CT/PET scans just to verify it has not returned.  If it does return you could discuss resuming chemo at that time, but in the meantime your wife could regain her strength and health. 

    I also want to tell you my story.

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