Hi all i was diagnosed with 3 high grade DCIS in december 2017 i had a mascetomy 2 weeks ago and am recovery better than i thought , i have just had my results back that they found cancer the lymph node that was taken out to check and now they have to do another opp to remove more lynph nodes to check those too and said it was more than likely i will need chemo which i am dreading as everyone i know.who has had it seems to die as the cancer just comes back and the body has no imune system left to fight it just wondering what other peoples thoughts were on this? as i have been reading stats that say chemo has a very low long term success rate ? And also the nhs has stopped publishing there stats why is this ? Any info would be greatly appricated .
Hi Jollyrancher,
I didn’t need chemo, but I ‘m sure one of the other ladies will be along to reassure you.
In the treatment of primary bc, if chemo is used it is primarily to prevent spread to other parts of the body & is one of the main reasons why outcomes for bc are some of the best out there & getting better all the time.
For those whose bc has spread to other parts of the body - a minority of us - then treatment is usually needed into the long term, however, even if this does happen, many are living well with it for years.
Do talk to your team about how your feeling, as this may help to allay your fears, or give the helpline here a ring to talk it through.
Many here have had chemo, are well & getting on with life.
The vast majority of us do get through it.
Take care
ann x
HI Ann thank you for taking the time.to reply i guess.i just looking to hear some postive stories as its so difficult when u you have other family members talking about the pit falls of chemo and wanting Me to take the holistic approach its difficult enough as its deciding what to do for the best and weather its better to go abroad for the treatment that has been in the media this week ! Thats if.its even possible. ?
Hi JollyRancher, sorry you find yourself here. I had 8 rounds over chemo over 6 months last year. I’m still here and doing well. It really makes you tired at times and you have to be obsessive about hygiene, taking your temperature daily and drinking plenty of water but it’s very doable. Plenty of us have survived chemo, all of us in fact! I agree, it does feel very daunting but you can get through it. If you join the going through treatment monthly chemo thread once you know for sure that you are starting chemo others will be going through the same and you can keep each other going. I found the support on here really helpful. Here’s my blog with lots of tips for chemo which I saved up, just to give you an idea what to expect and how to prepare. lifeafterlola.blogspot.com/
Sending hugs. Xxx
Hi Jollyrancher. Excellent advice from people below which I would strongly support. I am just coming up to my third year diagnosis anniversary and 2.5 years in from finishing chemo. I had a node affected and a 4cm lobular tumour. I can honestly say I have never felt better in my life both physically and emotionally. Chemo is a tried and tested treatment and side effects can be managed efficiently. There are a lot of people out there trying to make a fast buck out of “alternative” treatments and can be very persuasive with their arguements, especially when you are feeling vulnerable. Listen to your treatment team and you will be fine.
Ruth xx
Hi Jollyrancher
It’s Emily here from Breast Cancer Care.
I’m sorry that you’re feeling very worried. It can be particularly difficult when you’ve had surgery and feel that you’re on the road to recovery, and then to find out you may need to have more treatment. If you want to talk to a volunteer, then I could put you in touch with someone who’s had their lymph nodes removed and had chemo. Sometimes it can help talking it through with someone who’s been in a similar position to you and is a couple of years past their treatment.
Feel free to drop me a direct message through the forum if you’d like me to arrange this, or you can call us on 0345 077 1893.
Best wishes
Emily at Breast Cancer Care
Hi Jollyrancher, I had 6 rounds of chemo, the last dose being Christmas Eve (merry fecking Xmas 
) that was 2013
I’m still NED (no evidence of disease).
As I feel I’ve been given a second chance at life I take my health very seriously now so have a reasonably good diet, exercise 6-7 hrs a week and am now the fittest I’ve been in years (I’m 54).
The days of chemo weren’t easy & at times I felt truly awful but now it’s just all a nasty memory.
The doctors wouldn’t recommend if they didn’t think you needed it. When you start chemo I highly recommend you join your relevant monthly chemo group in the going through treatment section of this forum. I found it invaluable & am still in daily contact with most of the ladies I met there - we all met up 4 months after finishing chemo it’s was lovely and very emotional.
Wishing you the best x
HI ya thank you for taking the time.to comment , and lucky that yiu didnt need chemo every one has been so helpful i think im going to get alot from this group x
Hi thank you for your offer i did speak to my cancer nurse on friday that did explain a few of the things i was concerned about too but thank you x
Yes i do feel alot better than i did last week. I guess i have time for the crap news to sink in its like lump it or live with it !! Will deffo do that once i get my dates of what is happening we are moving house in the next 6 weeks so timing is at its worsed but as my CN said there is never a great time to get cancer !
I have had surgery, chemo, radiotherapy and 18 shots of Herceptin and I am still here!
I used a cold cap and kept lots of hair and I fasted before chemo and had far fewer side effects that the women in my thread on here or my unit.
It is not something I would choose to do but it really is not as bad as your fears about it.
Have a Google about Valter Longo, chemo and fasting and see what you can find but I can recommend it.
Just come on here and ask what you want or even just to vent about your fears. Honestly this group are more understanding than the doctors or your family because we have been there and know exactly where you mind can take you xxx