Stop Chemotherapy

aibay...There really is no reliable answer to your question because chemo is just one of several treatment options and even the chemos are different, depending upon the aggressiveness of the cancer and the doctors' and hospitals' preferences. There are many women who never had chemo, many who stopped midway and many who completed a full course and all of the outcomes have varied. What does seem to be true is that the more aggressive the treatment, the less likely the chances of recurrence, but that's not always the case and much depends upon the other factors figuring into the treatment plan.

In answer to your question regarding determining if she is cancer-free, the best that can be offered would be a battery of tests and scans seeking to detect cancer. If all looks clear, she will be deemed "NED- no evidence of disease." Until there is truly a cure for breast cancer, that's the best we'll get.

If you're still concerned about the chemos not taken, I'd suggest that you all talk to your wife's oncologist and see if s/he sees any reason to go back. If tests are showing no evidence of cancer, then she's probably in the same boat as many of us...okay for today.

~Marin

Aibay-

I have heard there are town/city, state, and federally funded medical programs available for those who are financially in need, especially for breast cancer.  The best resource to start with would be your treating hospital's or cancer center's social worker and probably your wife's oncologist.  They should be able to steer you in the right direction. 

For some of the early stagers such as your wife, a doctor may order a bone scan of the entire body and a CT scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis and there's also a pet scan but in the absence of symptoms some doctors may not order these scans but soley rely on symptoms.  Also, the type of  cells your wife's cancer had may also aid in future follow up.  Certain types of breast cancers are more agressive then others therefore, the incidence of a recurrence is increased .  There's alot of factors to deal with.  The rule of thumb that most doctors use is if you develop a new ache or pain that can not be explained and it lasts for more than 2 weeks, call you doctor for follow up on a course of action.    

Remember, breast cancer is a crap shoot, some of those with the most agressive treatments recur and some who have had light treatment go on cancer free forever.  You never know and  it is very wise to definitely follow with your wife's oncologist as to what the best course of action would be for your wife. 

Wishing you and your wife the very best and may she remain NED forever.