I've decided not to continue with chemotherapy. It took me over three weeks
to recover from the fourth treatment, not to mention that I fainted
while at home twice the Friday before I was to get my fifth treatment.
Now, having said that, am I going to die if I don't get more chemo? Yes. Actually, I'm going to die no matter what and so are you. I could die tomorrow or in 30 years. However I don't think I'll be dying of cancer yet. I had a slow growing cancer in one place in my body and they took it out when they operated on me. In my opinion, thirteen sessions of chemo over 6 months was overkill. Had I had a more aggressive form of cancer, then maybe I'd go back for more chemo or if the profit motive was removed from our health care system, that is to say if we had a single payer system where the doctor could proscribe treatment that was in my best interest without having to make a profit, then I might reconsider. But as it stands now, I'm done with chemo. I feel good and like my old self before I had the blockage in my small bowel.
I survived an abusive adolescence at the hands of my crazy aunt and uncle and their awful offspring, a nearly burst appendix, a hernia when I was a teenager, numerous car accidents, nearly having my left arm cut off when I went through a window in 1980, a massive heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery nearly ten years ago, so I'll survive this cancer business too. I don't think I could have survived more sessions of chemo and the front desk Nazis at the cancer clinic though. I won't miss Mountain States Health Alliance and their asinine anti customer policies and practices either. I go today to see a doctor about getting this port taken out of me. It can't happen soon enough to suit me.
Now, having said that, am I going to die if I don't get more chemo? Yes. Actually, I'm going to die no matter what and so are you. I could die tomorrow or in 30 years. However I don't think I'll be dying of cancer yet. I had a slow growing cancer in one place in my body and they took it out when they operated on me. In my opinion, thirteen sessions of chemo over 6 months was overkill. Had I had a more aggressive form of cancer, then maybe I'd go back for more chemo or if the profit motive was removed from our health care system, that is to say if we had a single payer system where the doctor could proscribe treatment that was in my best interest without having to make a profit, then I might reconsider. But as it stands now, I'm done with chemo. I feel good and like my old self before I had the blockage in my small bowel.
I survived an abusive adolescence at the hands of my crazy aunt and uncle and their awful offspring, a nearly burst appendix, a hernia when I was a teenager, numerous car accidents, nearly having my left arm cut off when I went through a window in 1980, a massive heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery nearly ten years ago, so I'll survive this cancer business too. I don't think I could have survived more sessions of chemo and the front desk Nazis at the cancer clinic though. I won't miss Mountain States Health Alliance and their asinine anti customer policies and practices either. I go today to see a doctor about getting this port taken out of me. It can't happen soon enough to suit me.
4 comments:
Wow - they should make a movie Monkey :-) I'm glad you're feeling so much better.
You're amazing. Glad you're feeling so much better now too.
Sounds like you're making the right decision for you and how you truly feel, and that's the only one that counts.
What C said. Thing is, ultimately it is your decision as to what course your treatment should take. You are obviously made of strong stuff. Keep well.
I don't remember exactly how many chemo sessions my mom had, but it was nowhere near thirteen. Being on such a rough road is bad enough, but having to deal with difficult front office staff at the same time would push most people over the edge. At least you'll have the peace of mind of not having to deal with them any longer.
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