To chemo or not to chemo

@au0rei Thanks for the feedback, it is helpful to get a picture with other people's stories.  There are so many aspects to it.  I appreciate that my oncologist is very straight talking and certainly doesn't skip any harsh details.  She really put me in the picture about chemo and recurrence issues. 
  When I asked her about the possibility that I could kinda contribute 2% odds myself by things like exercise, stress management and boosting immune system via nutrients - she agreed that it is possible.  She said that the only reason they can't quantify the effects and it's difficult to study, is because people just don't stick to it, and it's hard to measure consistently across individuals.  
  I've started reading some scientific journal articles in biosciences and oncology - and there really is a case for 1) stress management - its a real factor in cancer progression,  2) plant compounds like those in garlic, turmeric, ginger, herbs etc etc. (just reading one paper about cancer rates being much lower in India, due to diet).
  It's certainly not just hippie stuff.  But the challenge is getting enough - and really being consistent.  Of course even that doesn't stop some cells, that are madly intent on mutating.  I just finished a degree in evolutionary biology, so I'm well aware of how random DNA behaviour can be.   
  But I'm not aiming for miracles, just a slight improvement in odds that at least matches chemo results.  Nothing is certain.  Well, one thing is... a smoothy made with apple juice, ginger, fresh turmeric root and pineapple is delicious!  

@CellyK so hard! I struggled with chemo so badly! And when I had horrible hives in the third round, i struggled even more with finishing the last round! Mine is hormone negative but Her2+ so I am on Herceptin (immunotherapy), which is the most important part of my treatment. I struggled with doing alternative therapy (nutrition) as I did not have anyone around me who did that, but several friends who did chemo are alive around me. So i did chemo.

Now that all that is over, I am still suffering some of the side effects of cruel chemo such as stiff knees, hips and shoulder joints. I try to look at the positive side of chemo and pray that it did what it was meant to. But then I hear too many cases of cancer recurrence around me for those who have done chemo!!! So I am turning to nutritional therapy to help me heal as well. Because I believe I can't live and eat as before cancer!!!

I have done some research about The Gerson Therapy. You may want to have a look into it. It sounds pretty awesome.

My little sharing and I hope you come to a good decision. God bless. xx

Yes I am more confused by percentages than when I started.  The chemo onc gave me a fairly poor talk about them.  She used an online calculator and then told me it took into account things such as death by car accident! My surgeon said 90% chance of no recurrence in 5 years. The radiation onc said recurrence would be reduced by a third over 10 years. I think I will ask the chemo onc again as it will be a new one next time - just out of interest. But I know that this can all be shot to hell, so am basically doing the best I can.

@iserbrown so glad you are feeling a little better! OH the weather did turn so unpredictable!! Nothing wrong with Pjs all day really, Ive done it plenty! ha!!! I survived back at work, and was lovely to have so many Staff and students really happy to see me, made my day with lots of hugs! :D 

Hugs back! keep doing what feels good for you I say, stay well :) xxx 

melclarity said:

They did say to me it takes a good 2yrs for things to settle down. I think too....I dont really want prolia injections anymore or any medications, but I actually feel good so will plod along :) I really hope you are ok Christine, definitely get checked if it persists. xo M Beautiful day here too aaaah and I go back to work tomorrow boo hoo LOL.. final wound check and set to go. :) 

@melclarity   Hi!  The rain is coming in today, so different to the beautiful weather yesterday.  Yes I am a lot more settled today, having said that, this time of day I'm still in my PJs, sometimes I need days like that!  Just come on to say thank you for your caring support towards me firstly and others and I do hope that your return to work regime becomes settled and enjoyable quickly!  I hear what you say about prolia injections, goodness, it is the part that we don't know about at the start, it keeps on giving!
Take care and sending you a virtual hug xx

Good word that you used 'aftermath'. Who'd thought! Most think you'll be fine and don't even ask because let's face it you've had an op it's been ages you should be fine! Yes I am just slightly cranky. 

@iserbrown OH NO!!! that's terrible! I'd moan about that too!!! Chemo threw me into menopause in 2015 so I don't get a period anymore felt odd for awhile but lovely now lol. I think that's just it isn't it, they talk about the treatment but not really the aftermath of it all that we all are left to pick up the pieces of. They did say to me it takes a good 2yrs for things to settle down. I think too....I dont really want prolia injections anymore or any medications, but I actually feel good so will plod along :) I really hope you are ok Christine, definitely get checked if it persists. xo M Beautiful day here too aaaah and I go back to work tomorrow boo hoo LOL.. final wound check and set to go. :) 

@melclarity
Precisely we are all different and you go with what is recommended.  For me, I think % only came into the conversation because it was such a marginal option. The next part of my saga is, which I was warned, a bleed, let's hope it's only a small bleed - goodness at my age!  It is 5 weeks and 5 days since I finished Zoladex and here I am heading into the next phase.  The Gynaecology Onc had warned me and I am to ring if it persists! 
See it just keeps on giving and for me it is 2 years of treatment and I still don't feel like I am through the other end of it!  End of moan!
Beautiful day here today, tired on feet from doing catering for CWA
Take care

I think it is interesting as with both of my diagnosis there was never any talk of percentages, so my treatment plan was based just on the pathology Stage and Grade particularly. Thing too was the Oncologist said realistically he couldnt predict if I did chemo it would or wouldnt come back based on any information. I remember thinking its all a gamble, doesn't make it easy, I certainly wouldnt have done it if I didnt have to. Thing is I'll never know I guess I look at it now and go well if it did I did absolutely all I could. 

Hi @viking1 certainly is tricky.  But I also feel fortunate that I've been given such relatively good odds - to the point that it's an option.  So fortunate given the position some women are in.  I've been getting practice at forgiving myself and getting over choices anyway.  6 months before my diagnosis, my GP suggested a mammogram because I was 'a bit glandular' - since I always got lumpy before a period - I didn't bother.  When I first felt the lump it was 2 weeks before I got it checked, because - of course it wouldn't be cancer - and I was busy!  (!)  I'm a lot easier on other people when I'm easier on myself - and that's my baseline now.  We're all worthy of love - screw-ups and all.  Having a follow-up chat with the onc soon.