Has Anyone Stopped Cancer Treatment Midway?

I'm right there with you. I've been saying that I completely understand why people decide not to do chemotherapy. Each infusion caused a whole new batch of side effects that relentlessly gnawed at me every day until the next treatment. I didn't have a reprieve from the side effects, and each treatment made them worse. At one point, I ended up in the hospital for 12 days with neutropenia and ARDS. There was a real chance of my dying from the ARDS, but I made it out. However, I was so weak from the hospital stay that I had (and still have) trouble walking and shortness of breath. Every day has been a struggle. I have moments where I wonder what the point of all this treatment is since I'm stage 4 breast cancer, and it's in my liver, bone, and brain. People say the most annoying things to me, thinking they are helping, but it's only making me mad. Every day, I'm asked if I'm feeling better, and I'm tired of telling people that I'm tired, that I look like a bald cabbage patch doll that's gained 30 lbs, that my nose bleeds at any given time, that immodium has become my multivitamin, that I sometimes pee myself, and that my tips fingers and toes feel like I've soaked them in a numbing gel. It's even worse if I tell people that I'm feeling better because they act as if they want to throw a parade over it. Feeling alone sucks and it's extra weird when you have people around you. It's as if you are in a clear plastic bubble where you can hear and see them, but the full engagement isn't there. In addition, feeling like a burden adds to the emotional darkness. Looking for help and support in these online groups is a challenge for me because I'm agnostic, so when I upload an app, start to read community chats and see an onslaught of back to back religious responses, I'm instantly repelled and remove the app. All this being said, I forced myself through the chemotherapy and brain radiation treatments. While I can't be cured of cancer, my new scans show that the treatments did what we wanted them to do. The point is I get it. I understand you. This whole experience blows, and no one who hasn't been here will get it. They will try to relate (also annoying), but they can't.

I feel all of this! But just had surgery today and they had to use a skin graft from my back to close it up. I had panic attacks all the time. It’s all so demoralizing!! I’m sorry you are having this experience too! It might feel like you are alone but there are so many of going through it too. I hate when people call me strong . It’s exhausting and it’s not like we are choosing to be strong, we are just doing what we are told to do to stay alive. Just take it one day, one moment, what breath at a time! ❤️

I hate the "strong" statement as well. I tell them that I'm not strong, I'm trapped.

Yes the strong statement and what about ...." You got this." Ya easy for you to say... Or God don't give you nothing you can't handle... Ya I'm pretty sure God didn't give me breast cancer 🙄... I thought I was going to have this done in July... 😆 Nope it goes on. Anyways I'm having them take a look in there before my 2nd cycle... Maybe I won't need all this shit... I just want my life back.... That's all Then I'm wondering if this shit coming back? Why hasn't anyone came up with a cure yet? Why do we got to put this crap in our bodies ??? Just to make us sicker? I was fine until I got diagnosed 🤔 dam it I wish I knew what to do... Can't trust anything anyone says any more. Doctors reading shit on line... Everyone is just trying to get money they don't care if you die. If I found a better way of getting rid of cancer I would tell everyone for free... Fell like I'm a test rat.. I don't ever since COVID I don't trust anything any more....

Ask to aee if you could be put on Enhertu. Minimum side affects I have been on it since July 2023. Numbers dropped and I am stable. Constipation & thinning of hair which has already grown back. Good Luck.!!

The feelings shared here are incredibly valid - cancer treatment is physically and emotionally exhausting, and many patients do question continuing at different points in their journey. These overwhelming emotions and physical side effects are unfortunately common parts of the treatment experience that can leave anyone feeling isolated and frustrated. The decision about treatment is deeply personal and should always be discussed openly with the healthcare team, who can provide guidance based on individual medical circumstances and help explore options for managing side effects or adjusting the treatment plan if needed.