Learning From The Story Of Vidi Aldiano, The Reason Cancer Patients Consider Stopping Chemotherapy

JAKARTA - Vidi Aldiano, a well-known Indonesian singer and musician, inspired and hoped for many after he expressed his struggle against cancer in 2020. When he was diagnosed with stage 3 kidney cancer, Vidi not only faced physical but also emotional challenges.

However, one of the highlights of his healing journey is the decision to quit chemotherapy.

Sheila Dara's husband admitted that he had undergone treatment methods of up to chemotherapy for 5 years and was still struggling until now. He was also worried that the struggle would not end in a short period of time.

Even though it may seem controversial to some people about his decision, it gives us an important lesson about how cancer patients can manage their healing process in a more holistic and balanced way. This concern alone made Vidi think again about continuing his struggle. Until finally, Vidi decided to stop totally undergoing chemotherapy.

"In 2025, there is a possibility that I also have to stop chemo. Because it's been too long. And even if I continue, maybe there will be a side effect that is worse on my body. So that's one of the things that makes me think too. Too much what if, what if it appears in my head," said Vidi, quoted by VOI from a video upload on the @vidialiano Instagram account on Thursday, February 20.

So what makes patients stop chemotherapy?

Reporting from the Medical News Today page, someone who chooses to quit chemotherapy is a very personal decision. However, doctors and other medical personnel can provide support and advice when someone considers their choices.

Sometimes, someone performs chemotherapy treatment feeling there is no better change and cancer continues to develop. It is at this point that someone starts to think whether they want to continue treatment or not. A doctor can help a person understand the benefits and risks of continuing or stopping chemotherapy. They can also suggest other available treatment options. Some things to consider include:

- Quality of life

- Effectiveness to continue chemotherapy

- Cost of continuing treatment

- Other health risks or side effects that chemotherapy can cause

Someone may want to discuss with their family and closest people about the options available. They may want to hear input or choose to make decisions independently.

Signs Kemotherapy Doesn't Work

Signs that chemotherapy is ineffective include if cancer does not shrink or have spread to other parts of the body. If this happens, doctors may diagnose someone with advanced cancer or metastatic cancer. Some further signs and symptoms of cancer include:

- Accident weight loss

- Feeling weak, tired, and energy shortage

- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

- unexplained pain

According to Get Palliative Care, if one is considering stopping chemotherapy, a doctor may discuss the following:

- Response Rate: This refers to the possibility of chemotherapy can shrink the tumor by half its size. It also refers to tumors that do not develop.

- Median Response Duration: This refers to the length of time cancer is likely to respond to chemotherapy before cancer begins to grow again.

-Public Side Effects: A doctor can advise about potential side effects that a person may experience if they continue chemotherapy.

- Alternative medicine: A doctor can recommend other treatments, such as immunotherapy or radiation therapy.

If someone decides to stop chemotherapy, it's important to make sure they get the best quality of life. Good quality of life will vary between individuals.

It may involve quitting doing things they no longer enjoy, spending time with family and those closest to them, and doing things that bring happiness.

Some may try other forms of treatment or receive other medical treatment, such as palliative care. Talking to doctors about what to expect after quitting chemotherapy, can help in the decision-making process.