To Chemo or Not to Chemo

peony
peony Member Posts: 306 Member
in Breast Cancer #1

For anyone out there who's trying to decide, I had an experience that made me glad I did. My MO has had me have a CT scan every 3 mos since last March.  There were some nodules in my lungs and she was watching them to see how they would react to the chemo.  She said, "if they disappear or get smaller, we can assume it's cancer and the chemo has destroyed them.  If they stay the same, we'll know they are just nodules".  I completed chemo and the nodules increased in number but not size. (I'm getting a little antsy every time ct scan time rolls around and had started visiting the lung cancer board as well. I wanted to know what findings led to a biopsy, which I'm dreading and figuring might be in my near future.) The third ct scan- no change. The fourth, I had in December - THE NODULES ARE GONE!  I can let out a breath that I've been holding for almost a year. The chemo did exactly what I was hoping it would- kill off any errant cancer cells roaming through my body.  Will they ever come back? Who's to say what's down the road, but for today I am grateful and glad I decided to take the chemo.  Best wishes!

 

 

Comments

  • Apaugh
    Apaugh Member Posts: 850 Member
    edited January 2017 #2
    Congratulations

    Wow, what wonderful news! 

  • Sasu
    Sasu Member Posts: 39
    #3
    Way to go!

    Good news is truly great!

  • jenco60
    jenco60 Member Posts: 3
    #4
    chemo

    I had a 3.5 cm lump in my breast the chemo took it to 1.0 cm.  I guess it worked. I still had to have surgery.  Chemo is extremely difficult and the new Her2 treatments are tough on any body. I wanted to stop after 3 treatments.  I was working full time and running to the bathroom two or three times during the day at work. It was frustrating. Then I had radiation. I was ordered to have 33 treatments, after 22 my skin looked like I had walked through a fire. I would NEVER do radiation again.  I found my cancer in October 2015. It is now January 2017 and I am exhausted from all the drugs and treatment.    I have decided to take action: I am getting detoxed, I am starting the Live Strong program at my local YMCA, I am NOT taking the estrogen blockers; they make me very sick and I can not live the rest of my life in menopause. I am eating the foods that help with leg cramps. I get a massage at my own cost twice a month. I am exploring meditation and accupuncture.  Take charge of your own life is my advice. Doctors follow standard FDA treatment plans and they are not always best for everyone. 

  • Sasu
    Sasu Member Posts: 39
    edited January 2017 #5
    Chemo

    wow, jenco60, I want to say congratulations for making it through your treatment, but also let you know that cancer treatment is never easy and we all struggle with some kind of side effect-be it physically or mentally.   You are not alone. It is a good decision to take part in the live strong program, it will help you physically and mentally in your recovery.  best of luck to you, and keep us posted on your recovery.

  • peony
    peony Member Posts: 306 Member
    #6
    I think that's a good plan,

    I think that's a good plan, jenco60, but did you stop your treatment on your own or did you complete the treatment?  I think, post treatment, we all need a tune up and an overhaul.  Chemo is no picnic for anyone; it certainly wasn't for me and I have some side effects that I'm never going to get rid of, but I'm glad I did it. Cancer is an individual thing, what's good for one, may not be for another. I struggled with the decision to do chemo, or not and I've seen others discuss it here. That's why I posted.  I would never try to talk anyone into it or out of it.

     

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #7
    no advice...just sending hugs

    no advice...just sending hugs

     

    Denise

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #8
    stopping back in for update..

    stopping back in for update..

     

    Denise (HUGS)

     

  • SLS100
    SLS100 Member Posts: 37
    edited January 2017 #9
    chemo or not

    i have triple negative bc. the first 16 rounds of chemo still left cancer in the tumor they removed. now I am going to participate in a clinical trial where i will have more chemo. every three weeks for 4 months or 18 weeks of chemo pills. I am not sure what to do but since my son is young I am being urged to do the clinical trial and get more chemo. It feels like poison and I have bad chemo brain already. But I think I will have more chemo either through my port or through the pills. Wish I felt more certain about which way to go.

  • peony
    peony Member Posts: 306 Member
    edited January 2017 #10
    Since we have no crystal ball

    Since we have no crystal ball, all we can do is envision the future we want for ourselves and our family. I hope it pays off positively for you SLS100 and you'll see yourself and your son in a healthier, happier place. 

Discussion Boards