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sandramj's avatar
sandramj
Member
9 years ago

Chemotherapy or natural?

Tomorrow I go to see oncologist for first time after surgery removal of invasive ductal carcinoma (12mm) and finding cancer in the only lymph node they found. Had CT Scans and bone scan yesterday so get those results then too tomorrow.  
Question - has anyone on here tried any alternatives to chemotherapy?  
Any thoughts please I am very concerned as I'm 66 and unfortunately not a great genetic heakth background. 
AND IM AS SCARED AS HELL OF THE SIDE EFFECTS
also my cancer is HER2 negative but oestrogen & progesterone positive. 

23 Replies

  • Thank tou. Have a friend with lymphoma cancer. Did chemo first time, chemo & stem cell second time, and this time did minerals and alkaline diet. And cancer's gone.  He says he won't ever do chemo again. He'd rather die!
  • Hi 

    For a lot of people the c word (chemo) is as scary if not scarier than the other c word (cancer). The side effects of chemo can be bad, there's no denying. But not always that bad. You won't know how you travel in chemo until you start. Unfortunately other people's experience may not be much of a guide. The important thing to remember is that many of us have gone through months of chemo, we are still here and many of us are cancer free. You are right to think of all the options available to you but please do consider the advice of your medical team, who want to give you the best options for recovery. I started chemo at 67, over 4 years ago, one lymph node was HER2 positive so treatment was managed as HER2 positive although the tumour was negative. 6 months chemo, 12 months herceptin and 5 years Femara (hormonal therapy). One year to go and I am done. I am working, living a normal life, travelling (off to Spain next month) and that's why I did it all. So I could still have a life. Yes, I have a few side effects. No, they don't stop much. Not every one has ideal results, and some people have very difficult long term problems. But I keep the possible alternatives in mind! Keep asking questions as that's the best way to feel confident about your decisions. Best wishes.
  • Hey Sandra, I know its incredibly overwhelming. There was a discussion recently of alternative treatment to chemo but there honestly isnt, not at this time as much as we all hope for something new. I use alternative therapies but only post chemo in recovery and in conjunction with medicine. I honestly would wait til you see your Oncologist as all plans are different so take it 1 step at a time. We're all here to talk anytime to encourage and support. Just remember no matter what you are going to ne OK very important.  X Melinda