To go through chemo therapy or choose not to?

I think if the cancer was definitely stage 4 I might consider saying no.
Otherwise for belt and braces I couldn't justify it to my fa.
Five years ago I had chemo for breast cancer. It was a grotty three months but that was it. I put it behind me knowing I had taken every tiny percentage of chance I could.

A hard decision. My Consultant told me if he was a betting man he wouldn't do chemo and only gave me a very small further chance of recovery. But I was desperate and went for it, really sh...., sorry but the only word for it. The whole thing was grim but 15 years later here I am! I was 52 at the time, think your age depends on your decision a lot.

I wish you well singingnutty, I really do. Take care.

singingnutty

Just an update - I had a telephone call with the oncologist at the beginning of the week and told him I had made the decision not to have chemo therapy. At the end of the call he said 'I think that is a good decision'. I am now on a mission to get extra healthy by losing weight, eating only healthy food and getting more exercise. We have a charity locally which offers therapies, dietary advice and yoga, pilates etc. I have signed on with them and also had an appointment with a well qualified medical herbalist who has given me a lot of help. I am feeling very positive so that will help as well.

I wish you all the very best.
Positivity is key.

After my husband had chemotherapy I decided if I had cancer I wouldn’t have chemotherapy it had so many side effects on his poor body no thank you
But then it’s your choice therefore good luck

Bump

A close friend of mine has breast cancer that has spread, after 2 rounds of chemotherapy it has returned and has chosen palliative treatment. She is now making best use of the time she has with a positive outlook and is happy.

Sending best to you singingnutty

A friend has just had a bowel cancer removed and is having chemo. She was dreading it but has had little trouble ... she was singing away at the group I run the day after a session of chemo.

My husband is going to his 2nd chemo session today. We took the advice of the Oncologist who was eager to start him on certain drug . He said he was an ideal candidate for it,
Trust the drs,,
Thinking of you,xx

I do wish people would read the thread.
singingnutty has already updated us, having made her decision and with the support of her oncologist.

Calipso

I do wish people would read the thread.
singingnutty has already updated us, having made her decision and with the support of her oncologist.

Many people don't read all the thread but their comments are still valid. Others may have a similar dilemma and further comments may assist them.
I have found all responses of interest.

Hi there
I'm 5 years in remission had surgery,chemo and radio. The odds of the cancer coming back without chemo were overwhelming for me. Its the tiny seeds of the disease that can remain without chemo. It all depends on the type of cancer you have,what stage,how many lymph nodes involved, your age etc etc. I personally chose the belt and braces approach and take medication for 10 years afterwards.

I had ovarian cancer when I was about 50ish. Had total hysterectomy and followed with 6 months chemotherapy. It was not easy doing the chemo, but was worth it in both physical and mental terms. If I had not done the chemo I would have been worried about it and wondering if the cancer was returning and I didnt know. That cancer was only found when I had a check for something else so no symptoms at the time. So I did feel that is was the right thing to do. I now have bladder cancer which I am dealing with but as I am now 78 you can see that the six months were worth it. I got through it and spent 10 years 3 days a week doing hospital car volunteer work, seeing my family , etc etc and still around to enjoy the sunshine today ,so that is my story. Only you know your attitude to uncertainty and the only thing I did was to get two pieces of paper and on one write all the positive reasons to take the chemo and on the other the negative and then weighed up which reasons were important to me and what I felt I could deal with . Whilst you may listen to friends and families ideas it is down to you which you choose but I think the main thing is that once you have made your choice you will know that it was your own choice and hopefully it will be right for you. I wish you good luck