Posted by Penny on 10/28/2009, 11:20 pm, in reply to "Oncotype DX/Chemo"
70.187.42.222
As we say around here...So sorry you had to come looking, but really glad you found us.
All I can say about alternative medicine is that I've never seen it truly kill cancer all by itself. I do believe it can be used with traditional therapies and help with keeping us as healthy as we can be. Even though you may have had a successful surgery and no node involvement, there could have been a few stray cancer cells left behind. The suggested chemo and rads is supposed to kill off anything that might have been left behind and decrease your risks of a recurrence.
I know that chemo and rads are scary and I know (from lots of experience) it's not fun, but it is doable and it's not as bad as most people think. They have come a long way with drugs to treat the side effects and tailoring the dosage to the individual for max benefits and minimum side effects. My original dx (diagnosis) was in 2004 and just since then I've seen the first line defense drugs change, improve, and most of the girls here seem to have a much easier time with their tx's (treatments) than I did.
If you don't go through with the suggested tx and it does recur, will you regret your decision??? I'm not saying this to scare you, just repeating what my docs told me back then: In most cases if it does come back, it can't be cured. If you go through with the tx plan, at least you can say that you did everything within your power to keep it from coming back. As young as you are and with a nine year old daughter, it's something to think about for sure.
It's still no guarantee against a recur but I personally believe it is the best chance you have. This is just my honest opinion and you are certainly within your rights to do what you think is best for you and your family. It is ultimately your decision and no one can decide what is best for you except you.
No matter what you decide, please feel free to come back and post about anything you like, share your feelings, ask questions, whatever, and we'll be here to listen, support and offer help in whatever way we can.
Hugs,
Penny
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