Stage 4 cancer.... I want to stop chemo?

[Jason43]

I'm feeling so terrible on chemo. My rash is terrible. I feel horrid. I've recently had liver and lung resections in the the past 4 months. Unfortunately I already have new tumors in my liver. After the very first scan they showed after just 6 weeks. I'm so scared. I wanted to get 2-3 years with Ned instead never got a day. The dr. Says my liver is still functioning. So if this is true. How can I put a time line on how my life would be without chemo. I'm 44 recently engaged and a 8 year old son. Can someone give me advice thanks so much.

[Nik Colon]

What treatment were you on and what are you on now? Have you discussed other treatment options?

[Steph20021]

I don't have any advice but I am sad to read your post and am so sorry to hear this news. I can see from your signature just how much you have been through already. I just wanted to say hello, sorry I don't have much to add.

[janklo]

I think that is totally the patients decision. I've been the caregiver twice. Honestly, I wouldn't want to live the way cancer is at the end stage. If its ok with your spouse (or even not ok) its your life and your choice. And you might get some time feeling healthy and get to live and enjoy life.

[skypup]

I've been there and had the same decision to make. I didn't start chemo until I had symptoms to deal with (I was never a candidate for resection and this isn't a strategy for hardly anyone) and then took the tack of alternating hitting it hard and taking 3-4 months off. I've just recently decided to try reduced dosages of chemo without breaks. I have no idea if this will work, but feel it is worth a try to maximize the QOL/lifespan combo. I do want you to know that I have had several years with liver mets and they are smaller now than when they were discovered, so there is hope for decent time yet -- and perhaps you will be a candidate for more surgery and beat this thing yet!

[Cherie]

I'm there with you. I'm not doing chemo until I see significant growth. I'm doing IV vitamin C with some B vitamins for energy. IV Vitamin C is getting a lot of press in New Zealand and many people are now giving it ago. I feel so much better after an infusion so rather than be sick I feel good. It's a no brainer for me.

[vilca11]

Jason, I think the jury is still out on the lifespan w/wo conventional treatment. I had a friend with ovarian cancer (that is a very aggressive one) stage 3 initially, who refused chemo after first 3 sessions and lived for 8 years on vit C, other vit infusions (e.g. K2), watching diet, ozone therapy, etc - all people who she met in the chemo infusion room were long long dead before her, ovarian cancer is a quick one, almost like pancreatic....

So, given your reaction to chemo, I do not see why would you want to suffer so much when there is a possibility that you might live longer without it.... Quite often in life we have to take our chances, how the cancer's situation is different?. I am on a low dose ADAPT now, but if it ever affects my QOL, I would just continue with my supplements, boil some papaya leaves from my property (good digestive enzymes), take cannabis oil with coconut oil and make some Cat's Claw (Uno de Gato) tea from the bark along with the Dragon's Blood (Sangre de Dragon) - and live happily until the end... jmo

Big hug, dear. Vilca

[mstults]

Everyone tends to recommend what they are doing. I guess thats normal. Sounds like you may be on Vectibix. I received my first infusion of Vectibix yesterday. I was on Irinotecan for over a year before that. The diarrhea was quite bad but I tolerated it. I'm hoping the rash is not as bad as the diarrhea. I would have to have much worse side effects than I've had in almost 3 years to lead me to the decision to forgo chemo. I was initially stage 4 with "numerous" liver lesions. I have good color and my live numbers are within range. My kidney function got bad before I was diagnosed. Actually the kidney function was what led to the testing that found the cancer. After I got on chemo . my kidney function returned to normal. Even being on pretty heavy chemo my kidney and liver function has remained good. I have good color. I would say stay on chemo as long as you can tolerate it and your oncologist recommends it. Good luck whatever the decision is.