My Mothers treatment

My Mother was diagnosed with stage 1 .6cm Triple negative Invasive ductal carcinoma. The doctors have informed us that they want us to do chemotherapy as what seems to be a preventative measure. They do nothing that the cancer is in her lymph nodes, they stated they won't know until the lumpectomy is preformed. My mother decided that she does not want to do chemo, she will do the radiation but no the chemo. I was wondering if anyone has made it past the 5 years without chemo or if you has a recurrence and elected to not do chemo how long was it until you were diagnosed and how aggressive was it? please anyone.