It deeply pains me when I read other people portraying their experiences with cancer to be very negative, lacking christian mention and written to frighten people and mislead. They are commanding negative attention.
One reason I blog is to portray facts, percentages, guide others on their journeys and to do my best to cancel out the non factual, negative posts and other blogs that frighten people, and to assist people seeking knowledge or positive story's and out comes. This is Gods intent and his will for all of us to help others.
I want to quote an amazing woman that lost both her son and brother to cancer:
"When my son died, I made a promise that I would share the love of Christ through my pain. God has blessed me with wonderful ways to do just that.
It isn't always easy, the journey He gives us, but knowing you have a Heavenly Father that loves us, instills much strength."
ABC world news just aired a segment on encouraging breast cancer patients to talk with their doctors on being treated as individuals and some not requiring all chemo treatments prescribed. ABC went on to say some patients are given a ten dose regimen and only required five treatments. In light of this broadcast I feel its time to give the details of my only receiving 31% of my chemo regimen and achieving a complete pathological response (no cancer) to other cancer patients. My hopes are that if they see shrinkage and the physicians are measuring tumors that are going away or cant be detected any longer that they to will be advocates for their own health. In patients that have an excellent response to chemo they need to question why they are enduring more.
I had to request an ultrasound to prove I have undetectable cancer. As they could no longer feel and palpitate my tumor, my physician did not mention or order an ultrasound. It is up to you as a patient to ask for one, as I did.
The most difficult decision I have ever made was to end chemo after five treatments as I knew I no longer had cancer. That decision was made after all the facts in my personal battle with TNBC where calculated, weighed and medical imaging showed no cancer after two treatments and Gods blessings. The health implications where far greater as chemo served it purpose and had no more benefits only significant health ricks.
After I arrived at my decision to end chemo treatments and to schedule my bilateral mastectomy, it was my past oncologist that made it miserable and almost impossible to be steadfast in moving forward and ending chemo.
I consider myself very strong emotionally, very capable, determined, knowledgeable, strong in faith, and once I arrive at a decision I never look back!
My past oncologist was absolutely determined that I was not ending chemo and I would sit weekly for a minimal of 8 to 12 more treatments. It was not relative to him that I had no more detectable cancer, that I was headed for a double mastectomy, that I had health implications, nor my desire and decision as an individual and human being to end chemo. All that mattered was his ego, his determination to follow general protocol and have me endure unnecessary chemo treatments.
He had a complete temper tantrum, told my husband and myself I was selfish, being a bad parent as I was risking re occurrence, death, and. was cheating my 5 children. As I sat there with heart problems, severe shortness of breath, I was anemic, had inability to be a mother, and lets not forget no detectable cancer it was not important to him. His answer was he has a pill for any symptom I had. He had no concern for any neuropathy, my organs, permanent heart damage and over all health all additional chemo was causing in spite of no detectable cancer. The ultimate act of his failing as a physician came when I asked that my port be removed as I was determined to end chemo as it was the absolute best decision I have ever made. He legally was required per my request to order the port removal, however the loop hole was he would not order the blood test required to have the port removed. The surgical facility and staff requested several times for the blood tests to be ordered and he told them no, in his opinion they where not necessary. A bully tactic to keep the port in and have me sit for additional chemo regardless of the facts or my decision to no longer receive additional chemo treatments. I maneuvered around him and had the blood test ordered from my family practice and inevitability had the port removed. I was told by my past oncologist that the port could be removed at the time of my mastectomy that was scheduled two months later. There are health risks as the port sutures and a scar if fresh having a port removed at surgery time can rupture due to the reconstruction process and stretching of the skin. Not to mention blood clots and infection from the port remaining. It was best for me to have the port removed prior as my scar was healed at the time of surgery.
If your physician is not listening to you, not ordering tests to determine your progress, respecting your decisions or assisting in the correct decisions in your treatment you absolutely need to run to a new physician.
There are many wonderful oncologist that are fair, deeply caring, and will listen and treat you as an individual. They can remove any unnecessary chemo treatments you may not need.
It is your responsibility for your own health to be an advocate, ask questions, request ultrasounds, know that you have the right to make the decisions along side your doctors for your own health treatments, and benefits.You to can very well be the patient ABC broadcast, and like myself that your cancer is gone after 5 treatments and its unnecessary to endure more chemo. We are all unique and some require all chemo treatments prescribed. I'm simply reiterating that if you are making great progress and having shrinking tumors then please talk with your oncologist and investigate further.
It is very frightening I was told to sit for 12 additional treatments that I would be lucky to crawl out of, as the health implications where already taking a significant toll on me and I no longer had cancer.
The reason I am sharing the details as to how difficult it was for me to end chemo is to help others as no patient should endure what I did and ultimately you deserve respect and an excellent physician. Cancer is difficult enough as every step we achieve and all decisions arrived are well earned, and should not be more taxing.
Please stand up, stand tall, ask questions, find your voice, read test results, trust in your feelings and judgement, talk in detail and have all explained, take initiative for your own journey and treatment path on your road to recovery!
I went from TNBC stage lllc in mid July and only four months later achieving a PCR with no cancer found.
I received only 5 of the 17 chemo treatments prescribed. Had a bilateral mastectomy , and on going reconstruction. I have an excellent, superior prognosis and with TNBC we are considered cured within 3-5 years.
My prayers are with you and your families this holiday season! Please know God carries us and gives us the perseverance to endure and prevail. Breast cancer is not a death sentence. It is very survivable and you too can prevail as I and so many others have!
www.gofundme.com/I-will-beat-cancer
