To go through chemo therapy or choose not to?

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Sending best to you singingnutty

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.

Bump

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

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.

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.

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.

singingnutty - I’ve been following this thread and thinking of you - I wish you all the best 🌼

I have no advice, just want to wish you well

@ singingnutty - I just want to wish you all the very best now your decision is made. May you have a long, happy and healthy future with all the support you need.

Would just say that anyone who is about to start chemo make sure you get to the dentist for any treatment that may be needed, before you start. This advice was given to my dd.

I wish you well too singingnuttty. Good luck 🤞

@singingnutty
Thankyou for coming back to tell us what you decided. You have chosen to move forward positively and I wish you all the best that life can bring as you recover

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'm glad you made the right decision for you.
Good luck going forward.

i had lung cancer.surgey,chemo it has been a year and except she wants me to do immunotherpy. type of cancer was rare and nobody really knows how to deal with it
except my mri 's are clean
i decide june 3 i will do it a feel great no trouble breathing even part of my lung is going
choice as the best you can ..i am ok chemo was ok i did not have much except a upset belly everyone is different my hair is or was it is growing,i cut it to my scalp 2xs it was really coarse
i have problems more from 2 strokes???/

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 had chemotherapy after my operation for bowel cancer, twelve tablets a day with some side effects but I am still here eight years on.

I'm sorry. It sounds like you have been through a lot. There are so many different types of chemo drugs and everyone responds uniquely to their own personalized treatment so talk to the professionals on your team until you find your answers. Scientists found these treatments with a goal of healing. I also have two family members having chemo now. Hugs to you.

Liver mets and lymph node involvement determined that chemotherapy was essential. Sometimes the choice is made for you, sad to say.