Enough is enough

It's your decision.  I have taken nothing for four years and now a total of six years being cancer free.  If it returns it returns I am under no illusions.  I took the decision of quality of life first, it depends on our understanding of what we can cope with or not.  Some can't understand why people don't take what is required to probably keep us well long term.  This is a black and white attitude, life is generally in the grey area.   Looking at a previous post of yours I see you are in a great deal of pain, the pain pump suggested by others sounds like a very good thing to follow through with you cancer team.  Thinking of you.

I'm wishing you luck, and sending you hugs and positive vibes. I know that it was not an easy decision for you to make, but I am positive it was the best decision for you. I have a new prospective on these things  and I feel that whatever decision a person makes it is the right decision for them. I do hope that your pain will cease and the side effects will go away. Love surf

Hi Tasha, I was put on Xeloda 13 months ago after hormonal treatments Tamoxifen, Arimidex, and Faslodex failed me. I am ER+ 95%, Prog - and Her2- My original tumor, found in 2012, was extremely small but I had 1 sentinel node that was positive. Chemo was not recommended, but I had a lumpectomy and radiation. 1 yr + 3 months later BC showed up in my ribs, spine, and pelvis. I do believe that it had metastisized before I had had my surgery, but a bone scan was never done prior. Anyway, my Oncologist has me on Xeloda but adjusts the dosage according to my tumor marker results which I have done monthly. So I don't get the full strength dose that's recommended...3 pills in am + 3 in pm. I started with 2 in am + 2 in pm for 1week on and then had one week off. Now it's been adjusted again to 2 pills in am + 1 in pm for 3 1/2 days  on and then 3 1/2 days off. So far it's been tolerable for me. I don't know what kind of dosage your doctor gave you, but it's all adjustable. My Oncologist told me that should the Xeloda stop working he has "many other drugs in his bag of tricks." So, don't get discouraged. One girl I was talking to could only take the Xeloda for 2 days. It didn't agree with her at all. But there are other drugs out there and new ones coming out all the time. We must stay positive, as hard as that can be. I went for a 2nd opinion at Dana Farber in Boston and was told that my prognosis was unknown but to eat nutrionally and to stay active. That's what I'm trying to do! I also do visualization and meditation and feel that that is a big help. Good luck with your new treatment plan. Don't give up!  Kats2