Declined chemotherapy...

13

Comments

  • mom62
    mom62 Member Posts: 604 Member
    #42
    It's Your Decision
    Annie,

    Any decision you make about your own health is just that yours. You don't have to follow what others do, do what is best for you. I have never had a port because I don't want one and I've had chemo twice. I knew it wasn't for me even though I only had one good arm. I don't agree with your doctor you will get cancer back, some people never do. You can never go by statistics as everyone is different. I applaud you for making your own choice about your body, don't feel bad about it.

    Terry
  • AnnieTherese
    AnnieTherese Member Posts: 67
    #43
    mom62 said:

    It's Your Decision
    Annie,

    Any decision you make about your own health is just that yours. You don't have to follow what others do, do what is best for you. I have never had a port because I don't want one and I've had chemo twice. I knew it wasn't for me even though I only had one good arm. I don't agree with your doctor you will get cancer back, some people never do. You can never go by statistics as everyone is different. I applaud you for making your own choice about your body, don't feel bad about it.

    Terry

    Thanks Mom62.....yeah, we
    Thanks Mom62.....yeah, we (hubby and I) feel good about "our" decision, he would support me with whatever I decided, but it's all good and I know I'll never regret it, even if the cancer does return....what will be, will be. :-)
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #44
    AnnieTherese said:

    Thanks Mom62.....yeah, we
    Thanks Mom62.....yeah, we (hubby and I) feel good about "our" decision, he would support me with whatever I decided, but it's all good and I know I'll never regret it, even if the cancer does return....what will be, will be. :-)

    I am glad you and your hubby
    I am glad you and your hubby feel good about your decision Annie. I think you made the right one for you! Wishing you a lifetime free of cancer!


    Hugs, Debby
  • AnnieTherese
    AnnieTherese Member Posts: 67
    #45
    DebbyM said:

    I am glad you and your hubby
    I am glad you and your hubby feel good about your decision Annie. I think you made the right one for you! Wishing you a lifetime free of cancer!


    Hugs, Debby

    Thanks so much
    Thanks so much Debby....Brian has been a great support to me....my rock !! But even if I'd decided to do the chemo, he would have supported me just as much. He always says, if I'm happy, he's happy. But of course with this it's much more serious than just...being happy...it's something we've discussed in depth and both come to the same conclusion.

    Cheers, Annie
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #46
    AnnieTherese said:

    Thanks so much
    Thanks so much Debby....Brian has been a great support to me....my rock !! But even if I'd decided to do the chemo, he would have supported me just as much. He always says, if I'm happy, he's happy. But of course with this it's much more serious than just...being happy...it's something we've discussed in depth and both come to the same conclusion.

    Cheers, Annie

    We are both blessed Annie to
    We are both blessed Annie to have such wonderful husbands. Mine has been my rock too and I love him so much!!

    You take care and know that we are always here for you!


    Big hugs, Debby
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #47
    AnnieTherese said:

    Thanks Megan....I really
    Thanks Megan....I really don't think it would matter if you had chemo or other threatments or not....I think the thought of cancer returning would always be at the back of your mind. It is for me, yet sometimes I feel for sure it will never come back, then at other times, I think....hold on, it just might !! The brain goes on a bit of a rollercoaster ride from time to time.

    Cheers, Annie

    Yes, the rollercoaster ride
    Yes, the rollercoaster ride that none of us wanted to be on :( It will get better Annie! It just takes time.

    Hugs, Megan
  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    #48
    DebbyM said:

    We are both blessed Annie to
    We are both blessed Annie to have such wonderful husbands. Mine has been my rock too and I love him so much!!

    You take care and know that we are always here for you!


    Big hugs, Debby

    I think it's up to you
    I think it's up to you.Do what you feel is best.I was told in the very beginning no chemo or radiation but take tamox.I had DCIS non invasive and tumor was very small,clear margins.. I was worried about tamox and wasn't sure I wanted to take it.My doctor then was up front and said my changes of the cancer spreading to other places could be higher.I decided to take the tamox. Since no chemo or radiation I have at least some protection.

    Wishing you the very best with whatever decision you make.

    Lynn Smith
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #49
    Lynn Smith said:

    I think it's up to you
    I think it's up to you.Do what you feel is best.I was told in the very beginning no chemo or radiation but take tamox.I had DCIS non invasive and tumor was very small,clear margins.. I was worried about tamox and wasn't sure I wanted to take it.My doctor then was up front and said my changes of the cancer spreading to other places could be higher.I decided to take the tamox. Since no chemo or radiation I have at least some protection.

    Wishing you the very best with whatever decision you make.

    Lynn Smith

    We should only do what we
    We should only do what we feel is in our best interest. I never had chemo, as, I didn't need it, just a lumpectomy and rads. Well, I shouldn't say just as that is a lot. But, I know Annie that you are making the right choice for you and that's all that matters.

    Hugs, Noel
  • corinnajune
    corinnajune Member Posts: 2
    #50
    Heatherbelle said:

    While chemo is no walk in
    While chemo is no walk in the park it is certainly not debilitating. It was like a 3 month detour on the highway of my life. I was told my cancer was aggressive also, and because of my age my doctor said it was protocol for me to have chemotherapy. I also can't have any anti cancer drugs or herceptin because im almost triple negative, er-, her2-, and pr only 1-4% +. THat 3 months, plus another 3 to start feeling back on my feet again, was well worth the assurance that any stray cancer cells were being killed. It's not like having chemo makes you an invalid. I have young kids - i took them trick or treating, did grocery shopping, walked, and i never vomited one single time from chemo. For me the unpleasantness of chemo wasnt nearly as strong as my desire to fight it with all ive got.
    Best of luck to you
    heather

    I agree- Chemo wasn't
    I agree- Chemo wasn't lollipops and roller coasters, but it really wasn't that bad. Mostly I was uninterested in food, slept alot, and was fuzzy-brained. It was annoying for a while, then I came back feeling like myself again.

    Radiation was way worse than chemo and harder to bounce back from, but for some reason nobody ever tells you that!

    Btw I am triple neg & metaplastic, rare and hard to treat... but so far so good :)
  • Julia K
    Julia K Member Posts: 8
    #51
    AnnieTherese said:

    Well, I'll quote from the
    Well, I'll quote from the path report. I was told I had grade 3 cancer.
    The report says....talking about the right breast...

    There is an area of irregular density and architectural alteration corresponding tothe palpable area in the right breast and this is associated with calcifications i that region. These are quite extensive but not frankly malignant, although I would have to classify the calicifications as indeterminate.
    The ultrasound examination shows a significant abnormality at the 10o'clock position, 8cm from the nipplin the the right breast and measuring 18mm in max diameter. Immediately adjacent there is another slightly smaller lesion measuring 15mm and several other tiny adjacent nodules lie immediately medial to the main two lesions as described as above.
    A possible tiny lesion is also present lateral to the palpable area. These are all probably within the same quadrant of the breast.

    Then on another paper there is written.

    Conclusion: Core biopsy right breast 10 - 11 o'clock: MALIGNANT: Invasive ductal carcinoma estimated as moderately to poorly differentiated.

    That's about all I can see that would mean anything.....

    Hi Annie, Three years ago,
    Hi Annie, Three years ago, at age 44 I was also diagnosed with Invasive ductal carcinoma with cancer in 19 lymph nodes and my liver. I am also Her 2neu pos. I had the bil mastectomy, even had reconstructive surg and have to go in for Herceptin infusions every three weeks. I totally respect your decision. If I have a reoccurance I am not sure I would go through all of that again. Live your life well, enjoy what you have and do and do what you need to do for you.
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #52
    AnnieTherese said:

    Wow...thanks Diane (( hugs
    Wow...thanks Diane (( hugs )).

    Just last night Brian (hubby) and I were talking about the subject again and he so firmly believes in the decision I've made...and that gives me encouragement too...

    Your Brian sounds like a
    Your Brian sounds like a great guy who supports you always! I am so happy you have him Annie! We are all here to give you encouragement and support. I hope we've done that for you!


    Hugs, Diane
  • joeybirdie
    joeybirdie Member Posts: 6
    #53
    Also declined Chemo
    Hello Annie! Hope everything is well with you. As soon as I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer my wonderful husband started doing extensive research, as did I. I am stage 2b in my left breast. Learning about chemo was enough to start looking into alternative treatments. I had a lumpectomy and five limp nodes removed. That's all. I have a three prong treatment plan with alternative methods that has no side effects at all. I am eating healthy and am feeling great. I will go and have a scan done in December to see what's going on. I have a very positive attitude and hardly even think about the cancer most days. We still are researching and probably always will, to learn of new treatments and to meet and talk to so many great people who are taking these methods and are doing great! I will be posting on here to let everyone know how I am doing.

    Take care Annie and God bless you!
  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    #54
    joeybirdie said:

    Also declined Chemo
    Hello Annie! Hope everything is well with you. As soon as I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer my wonderful husband started doing extensive research, as did I. I am stage 2b in my left breast. Learning about chemo was enough to start looking into alternative treatments. I had a lumpectomy and five limp nodes removed. That's all. I have a three prong treatment plan with alternative methods that has no side effects at all. I am eating healthy and am feeling great. I will go and have a scan done in December to see what's going on. I have a very positive attitude and hardly even think about the cancer most days. We still are researching and probably always will, to learn of new treatments and to meet and talk to so many great people who are taking these methods and are doing great! I will be posting on here to let everyone know how I am doing.

    Take care Annie and God bless you!

    Like Noel
    Like Noel no chemo for me. Clear margins and no node involvement.Stage 0.I am OK with no chemo but would've preferred radiation.I never asked or mentioned this to my doctors. I felt they know best.My case was discussed at a doctor's convention and I felt comfortable.Also felt good that my doctor would go out of his way to consult with others.

    My friend was Stage 3 with 3 nodes involved(lumpectomy..She had chemo.Her doctor told her it doesn't make a difference with Stage 0 or 3.I was a little apprehensive when she had a lumpectomy but she's doing fine after 18 years.I guess we make the decision and hope the decision is right but we never know.Like my doctor said "everyone is different".That preys on my mind alot.

    Sound like you have a low Grade and feel comfortable not doing chemo.It's up to you.I was hesitant about taking tamoxifin but my doctor said it protects me from getting cancer in other places.I take it and have just over 2 years to go.

    Wishing you the best and you're in my thoughts.Keep in touch with us.

    Lynn Smith
  • TreeHuggerCC
    TreeHuggerCC Member Posts: 3
    #55
    Declining Treatment after lumpectomy for Early Stage BC

    Hi everyone,

    This is my first post. 

    I had a lumpectomy for invasive ductal carcinoma on June 3 2015.  Clear margins at .05 and no lymph node involvement (3 sentinels removed).  Final staging 1a with 90% estrogen positive.

     

     I am 64 years old, active and healthy.  My risk of recurrence according to "Adjudivant!" and also the Genome 21 test is very low.

    I have been reading and reading and find myself more averse to the side effects of radiation AND the hormone therapy.  I find myself worrying about these and not worrying AT ALL about recurrence.  I love my physical activities and dread these changing.  Of course I know with age comes limitations but why speed the process - that's my question. 

     

    So my thinking is ok...just let it go.  No radiation.  Maybe TRY the aromatase inhibitor or tamoxifen and see if I can tolerate one of these well.  And then just let it go.  If I have a recurrence in either breast in less than 5 years, that would be the time to have radiation.

     

    Thoughts anyone??? Thanks.

     

     

  • button2
    button2 Member Posts: 421
    #56
    TreeHuggerCC said:

    Declining Treatment after lumpectomy for Early Stage BC

    Hi everyone,

    This is my first post. 

    I had a lumpectomy for invasive ductal carcinoma on June 3 2015.  Clear margins at .05 and no lymph node involvement (3 sentinels removed).  Final staging 1a with 90% estrogen positive.

     

     I am 64 years old, active and healthy.  My risk of recurrence according to "Adjudivant!" and also the Genome 21 test is very low.

    I have been reading and reading and find myself more averse to the side effects of radiation AND the hormone therapy.  I find myself worrying about these and not worrying AT ALL about recurrence.  I love my physical activities and dread these changing.  Of course I know with age comes limitations but why speed the process - that's my question. 

     

    So my thinking is ok...just let it go.  No radiation.  Maybe TRY the aromatase inhibitor or tamoxifen and see if I can tolerate one of these well.  And then just let it go.  If I have a recurrence in either breast in less than 5 years, that would be the time to have radiation.

     

    Thoughts anyone??? Thanks.

     

     

    My thoughts are that skipping

    My thoughts are that skipping radiation is a risky move. Personally, I asked for every single thing they could give me to beat the beast. I was afraid I would regret it if I had a recurrence and then was plagued by feeling "Why, oh why did I not listen to medical advice??" Get a second and third opinion if necessary in order to make your decision. You can't just wait for cancer to come back and then do some treatment then because it might come back in a different place that's not so treatable. Good luck with whatever you decide.

  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #57
    TreeHuggerCC said:

    Declining Treatment after lumpectomy for Early Stage BC

    Hi everyone,

    This is my first post. 

    I had a lumpectomy for invasive ductal carcinoma on June 3 2015.  Clear margins at .05 and no lymph node involvement (3 sentinels removed).  Final staging 1a with 90% estrogen positive.

     

     I am 64 years old, active and healthy.  My risk of recurrence according to "Adjudivant!" and also the Genome 21 test is very low.

    I have been reading and reading and find myself more averse to the side effects of radiation AND the hormone therapy.  I find myself worrying about these and not worrying AT ALL about recurrence.  I love my physical activities and dread these changing.  Of course I know with age comes limitations but why speed the process - that's my question. 

     

    So my thinking is ok...just let it go.  No radiation.  Maybe TRY the aromatase inhibitor or tamoxifen and see if I can tolerate one of these well.  And then just let it go.  If I have a recurrence in either breast in less than 5 years, that would be the time to have radiation.

     

    Thoughts anyone??? Thanks.

     

     

    What a 'walk' down Memory Lane!

    It was bitter sweet reading through all the posts from so long ago and how many are no longer physically here with us.  Their insights, courage, are so missed by those of uus who were blessed to have known them.  It is also sad that they are not here to walk with the new ones.  My life has been blessed by having known them all - not just those who posted on this thread but all who have gone before us.

     

    TreeHugger - Do not assume that all the negative that you read some experience, you will experience.  We are each unique and there is no "One Size Fits All".

    My DX is different - IBC.  I was 63 when DXd and was a very active 'outdoor' woman - still am almost 6 yrs later.  Was also very healthy then and now.  I did neoadjuvant DD A/C, UMX, adjuvant 12 weekly Taxol, 25 rads and have been on Femara/letrozole for 5+ yrs.  I still ride and care for our horses, ride my bicycle, garden, mow my yard (and 2 other yards to help out others) with my push mower, fish, boat, target shooting (pistol and rifle), sewing, tatting, leather carving - all that I had done before DX.  Since DX, I have taken up fly fishing, learned to tie flies and build rods from blanks (through Project Healing Waters - a program for Veterans), learned to do flint knapping (making arrow points and blades) and Woodfellow carving.   Point is - TX does not end an active life.  (Just remembered - the first Sat in June I did a 10k Volksmarche at Crazy Horse Memorial up onto the carving.)   I am still as active as ever and love living to the utmost.

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan 

  • TreeHuggerCC
    TreeHuggerCC Member Posts: 3
    #58
    joeybirdie said:

    Also declined Chemo
    Hello Annie! Hope everything is well with you. As soon as I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer my wonderful husband started doing extensive research, as did I. I am stage 2b in my left breast. Learning about chemo was enough to start looking into alternative treatments. I had a lumpectomy and five limp nodes removed. That's all. I have a three prong treatment plan with alternative methods that has no side effects at all. I am eating healthy and am feeling great. I will go and have a scan done in December to see what's going on. I have a very positive attitude and hardly even think about the cancer most days. We still are researching and probably always will, to learn of new treatments and to meet and talk to so many great people who are taking these methods and are doing great! I will be posting on here to let everyone know how I am doing.

    Take care Annie and God bless you!

    Also declined chemo

    JoeyBirdie could you tell me about the "three prong treatment plan"??

    Thanks!!

  • TreeHuggerCC
    TreeHuggerCC Member Posts: 3
    #59
    Rague said:

    What a 'walk' down Memory Lane!

    It was bitter sweet reading through all the posts from so long ago and how many are no longer physically here with us.  Their insights, courage, are so missed by those of uus who were blessed to have known them.  It is also sad that they are not here to walk with the new ones.  My life has been blessed by having known them all - not just those who posted on this thread but all who have gone before us.

     

    TreeHugger - Do not assume that all the negative that you read some experience, you will experience.  We are each unique and there is no "One Size Fits All".

    My DX is different - IBC.  I was 63 when DXd and was a very active 'outdoor' woman - still am almost 6 yrs later.  Was also very healthy then and now.  I did neoadjuvant DD A/C, UMX, adjuvant 12 weekly Taxol, 25 rads and have been on Femara/letrozole for 5+ yrs.  I still ride and care for our horses, ride my bicycle, garden, mow my yard (and 2 other yards to help out others) with my push mower, fish, boat, target shooting (pistol and rifle), sewing, tatting, leather carving - all that I had done before DX.  Since DX, I have taken up fly fishing, learned to tie flies and build rods from blanks (through Project Healing Waters - a program for Veterans), learned to do flint knapping (making arrow points and blades) and Woodfellow carving.   Point is - TX does not end an active life.  (Just remembered - the first Sat in June I did a 10k Volksmarche at Crazy Horse Memorial up onto the carving.)   I am still as active as ever and love living to the utmost.

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan 

    Just to say

    Thank you so much for your comments. 

    TX?? Tamoxifen??

  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #60
    TreeHuggerCC said:

    Declining Treatment after lumpectomy for Early Stage BC

    Hi everyone,

    This is my first post. 

    I had a lumpectomy for invasive ductal carcinoma on June 3 2015.  Clear margins at .05 and no lymph node involvement (3 sentinels removed).  Final staging 1a with 90% estrogen positive.

     

     I am 64 years old, active and healthy.  My risk of recurrence according to "Adjudivant!" and also the Genome 21 test is very low.

    I have been reading and reading and find myself more averse to the side effects of radiation AND the hormone therapy.  I find myself worrying about these and not worrying AT ALL about recurrence.  I love my physical activities and dread these changing.  Of course I know with age comes limitations but why speed the process - that's my question. 

     

    So my thinking is ok...just let it go.  No radiation.  Maybe TRY the aromatase inhibitor or tamoxifen and see if I can tolerate one of these well.  And then just let it go.  If I have a recurrence in either breast in less than 5 years, that would be the time to have radiation.

     

    Thoughts anyone??? Thanks.

     

     

    While it is a problem if one has a local recurrence, they can often successfully treat a local recurrence.  The larger problem is if the recurrence is in a distant organ.  Radiation should kill any rogue cancer cells in the breast.  Left alone, they can grow and metastasize.  I had clear nodes, and small tumor, but that's all I know because that's all the tissue that was examined.  The rest of the breast?  Who knows?  It was a no brainer to me.  Either mastectomy or lumpectomy and radiation.  I had chemotherapy because my oncotype test was high. 

    Five years later, I'm fine.

    Suzanne

  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #61
    Double Whammy said:

    While it is a problem if one has a local recurrence, they can often successfully treat a local recurrence.  The larger problem is if the recurrence is in a distant organ.  Radiation should kill any rogue cancer cells in the breast.  Left alone, they can grow and metastasize.  I had clear nodes, and small tumor, but that's all I know because that's all the tissue that was examined.  The rest of the breast?  Who knows?  It was a no brainer to me.  Either mastectomy or lumpectomy and radiation.  I had chemotherapy because my oncotype test was high. 

    Five years later, I'm fine.

    Suzanne

    Hi TreeHugger

    I think you are making a very risky decision. Please read your pathology report and discuss your decision with your doctor. If you have invasive ductal carcinoma which means that cancer have left the ducts -reason for you to have radiation. You are estrogn positive - when your onco scare was calculated the asumption was made that you would do anti-estrogen therapy for 5 years as prescribed. When you decling any treatment (lumpectomy by itself is not a treatment it is  part of the cancer treatment) you are gambling. Usually, when it come back radiation is not enough.

    Please talk to your doctors and get a second opinion.   

    Good luck with your decision

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