Statistics on refusing chemo

HapB
HapB Member Posts: 527
in Breast Cancer #1

I am newly diagnosed with this cancer, but not new to cancer. I am trying to decide whether to accept chemo for Her2 positive, and positive for both hormones, grade 2, (don't know stage yet).  

What I need to know is what the statistics or odds are if I refuse the weekly chemo, but have the lumpectomy surgery, radiation and herceptin.  Is there a way I can find that out?  

Has anyone here gone that route? 

Thanks.

Comments

  • Beepositive
    Beepositive Member Posts: 259 Member
    #2
    EVERYONE SYSTEM IS SO DIFFERENT AND RESPONDS DIFFERENT

    Everyone body and system is sooo different and reacts to treatments totally different..so with that said..no one can make decisions for you on chemo /radiation etc its a tough pill on deciding what to do and whats best for your own body...at the end of the day its your body and you have to do whats best for you. so there is not stats to say yes or no on your individual situation...Please continue to ask lots of questions to your specialist and have them to give you the pros and cons of each.  GOOD LUCK WITH EVERYTHING..PRAYS TO YOU....BEEPOSITIVE....NO ONE WANTS TO SAY HEY DO THIS AND IT NOT WORK FOR YOUR BODY! THE DOCTORS SHOULD BE ABLE TO GIVE YOU PROS AND CONS ON EACH!  (just being honest..try not to work yourself up so much about it but your doctor and nurse navagator should be able to assist with your questions.    God Bless   ...BEEPOSITIVE   Smile

  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #3
    Two stories

    I know that HER-2+ is aggressive.  I have 2 friends who are HER-2+ and refused chemo.  One is still doing well after 3 years (she did have Herceptin).  The other is not at all.  She was diagnosed before Herceptin was given as first line treatment. Both had lumpectomies and radiation.   My friend with the recurrence from hell beat all of the odds for 10 years - then she didn't.  We are all different and there is no guarantee - even with chemo.  Both were strongly advised to have it by their doctors.  You need to make this decision after discussion with your physician.  Get a second opinion if you want.  Just make an informed decision.  Did you have chemo previously?  How does that play into your decision?

    Best wishes,

    Suzanne

  • Beepositive
    Beepositive Member Posts: 259 Member
    #4
    Best wishes HapB

    Keep your head up HapB...best wishes and success with your decisions.. HANG IN THERE!

    BEE

  • HapB
    HapB Member Posts: 527
    #5
    Chemo

    double wHammy, thank you. Yes, I did have chemo and radiation for colorectal cancer 6 years ago. I think it is playing a huge part in my thinking. Going through it once was enough. I need to speak with the doctor again.

  • HapB
    HapB Member Posts: 527
    #6
    Being positive

    Thanks Bee!  I have been through cancer twice before with surgeries, chemo, and heavy radiation that burned the skin below my waist to mid thigh. I understand that it really is important to remain positive.  I find that women are really good at this because we are caretakers so often. For all of my life I have kept any negative feelings at bay, pushed them down, kept a smile on my face, soldiered through all kinds of things. I have come to the realization after 6 decades and 3 cancers in the past 6 years that maybe keeping it real is far more important than the ever repeated command to keep it positive at all times. I am English and we are so good at stifling and hiding all semblance of real emotion. Now, I wonder, do I have cancer because all the fear, the heartaches, the loss, the anger, the pain got pushed down into my gut? Do I have breast cancer because I buried the heartbreak of divorce and loss? I think more than keeping it positive, we need to keep it REAL!  I made my screen name after defeating 2 cancers because I was so happy. Still, I never said, geez, that was horrible.  We need to encourage each other, cheer each other on, be positive. But we also need to be real. I will keep it Real. Sorry if that is a downer. 

  • Beepositive
    Beepositive Member Posts: 259 Member
    edited May 2017 #7
    keep it REAL

    MUCH SUCCESS TO YOU HapB! we all deal with things in many different ways !! REAL is the best way!!!

    BEEPOSITIVESmile

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