Looking for those who chose not to do chemo

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  • pj12
    pj12 Member Posts: 25,402
    edited November 2011

    OMIGOSH, if I lose my hearing it's going to be bad around here! DH has gotten so hard of hearing that our conversations would make good material for a sit-com. I admit to being a little "testier" than I used to be and about the third time I have to repeat something the tone in my voice changes :( and DH gets offended and I get upset... and on and on. 

    I do fear ALL the possible side effects of BC treatment. Damned if you do and damned if you don't. I just hate all lthis second guessing and second opinons and second chances. Wouldn't it make sense that there would be a set protocol but this "try this" or "try that" process and it works for one person and does not for the next drives me crazy. And I recognize that I am in the best possible place as far as breast cancer goes, that is, stage 1 - ER +. What must it be like for the women who are fighting a bigger, meaner beast? 

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  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,786
    edited November 2011

    Oh I know, Pj....We are so fortunate I think.... I just feel so bad for all of the younger women, who have had or still have breast cancer.  It scares me to death, wondering about my grown Daughters. MY Husband gets sort of "testy" also, when I keep saying "what?"  Sometimes I just have to SEE him talk, because it's too hard to hear his low voice when he's in another room....Even with my hearing aids in.  I can hear the TV, but that's different than low voices. 

    And anyone with hearing aids will tell you how LOUD it is in restaurants, stores, etc!  I mean these aids are like bull-horns blasting in your ears when there is a lot of back-ground noise, Ha!    But I just take them out when it gets too loud....

    I've even wondered if I should go back on Tamoxifen, because since I can't hear, what else can I lose?   But so far, so good....It's probably pretty rare that this happened.....  Take good care...

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  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 3,647
    edited November 2011

    Chevyboy:  I'm with you!  I won't be taking any of those drugs that have serious SE's because I don't respond well to any kind of prescribed drugs, and I already have problems with my inner ear!  Even antibiotics give me problems at times.

    I would much rather tackle this with nutrition and supplements, which I am already into.  At my age quality of life is my priority.

    I go for my doctor app't on Monday and hopefully he can find the spot on the US, and a biopsy...finally! 

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  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,786
    edited November 2011

    Kaara...just be careful, about deciding before-hand what you will do, before you talk to your team.  Wait to see what your diagnosis is, what they say, what type of cancer you have, what grade, and if any lymph nodes are involved. 

    If my Onco test were over 20, or if any nodes were positive, I would have been foolish to not have chemo with the radiation.  Those 2 can be life-savers.  I don't think deafness compares to aggresive cancer coming back, without chemo. 

    Knowing what I do now, I would do chemo, if my scores were all higher.  That's just me.  And yeah, I didn't want to lose my hair either...but I still lost some on the Tamoxifen.   But if I thought for one moment that chemo would prolong my life, I would do it.

    Those women who do chemo are so brave.... they feel like they HAVE to do that to keep the cancer from spreading!     And I think they are hero's! They go through soooo much! They are inspiring to me.   

    Take good care....

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  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 3,647
    edited November 2011

    Chevyboy:  Good advice...thank you.

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  • Ang7
    Ang7 Member Posts: 1,261
    edited November 2011

    Chevyboy~

    Your words about made me cry.  Thank you for the encouragement...

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  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,786
    edited November 2011

    Oh wow Ang....Honey, I didn't mean to make you feel bad.... I just know what I would do if there were a "next" time.  

    To ever think of not doing what is recommend or advised for us, knowing that if even one lymph node is in there just waiting to cause trouble, is just not advisable.  

    I know chemo is tough, most of the time, but these women are taking it, because they value their own life, hoping to raise lots of kids/grandkids.....and I care about you all so much!   I just know God blesses you all.... xoxo

    ((((Ang7))))

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  • Ang7
    Ang7 Member Posts: 1,261
    edited November 2011

    Chevyboy~

    I'm sorry I came across wrong...

    You actually made me feel good as I did do the chemo because I felt that it was right for me.

    I am one of those with young kids and I really do appreciate your words.

    Hugs to you...

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  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,786
    edited November 2011
    Oh no Ang7 ..... you didn't come across wrong at all....You came across right....!  I also had tears in my eyes thinking of you, and what you women go through.  After I posted I just closed my eyes, and I thought, I just want to "help" someone....Thanks!  Take good care!
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