28 unsure on what treatment plan to take

There is an oncotype dx test that can be done to see if chemo is worthwhile. It is expensive and I'm not sure how long the results take to come back.  

This link explains it.
https://www.bcna.org.au/news/2018/06/new-research-findings-confirm-the-benefit-of-the-oncotype-dx-tumour-profiling-test/

Contact the Perth Hospital as they probably have more than one breast care working at that hospital.

Do you have any nodes involved?

Good idea on egg collection even without chemo due to hormone therapy and at least they are stored when it's the right time.

Also somebody may still be answering the helpline Monday
https://www.bcna.org.au/news/2018/02/cancer-nurses-join-bcna-helpline/

Hi @Tamlyn. How big was your tumour? I ask because the Oncotype test is about $5000, but if your tumour is smaller there's a different test which is about $3000.

It is ghastly being diagnosed this time of year. It happened to me two years ago (dx 4/12), and "abandoned" is exactly the word I used. Everyone disappeared. I had woundcare questions and no one to ask, huge decisions to make and no one to talk them over with. So you have my sympathy!

Is there anyone at all in your oncologist or surgeon's office who you can ask about who to speak to in their absence? I'm with @primek, contact Perth Hospital, or maybe try the McGrath Foundation forca breastcare nurse who maybe able to help.

@JJ70 @suburbangirl, would you have any advice for @Tamlyn?

Keep in touch here. There's always someone who can help. Big hug, K xox

Hi @Tamlyn and @kmakm
Sorry to see you here @Tamlyn for all the obvious reasons, but know we all understand what we are all going through; even though we are all different and have our different pathways. 

Firstly, do you have to make a quick decision about whether or not to have chemotherapy? Could this decision wait until you have your ducks lined up and you can make a decision based on information provided?

Unfortunately I am unsure what to advise, especially now with the weekend and public holidays coming up. Apart from other members advice, I imagine you really need the facts /statistics on why they are suggesting chemo (or not to have chemo) from those who know your pathology, which would be your oncologist and surgeon. Could you make another appt to see your oncologist, or even talk on the phone with them, to help with your decision?

If needed there are other resources, BCNA, is someone available at Bunbury Hospital, or Royal Perth Hospital breast clinic 9224 2723 (office hours). They are fully staffed with a medical team including breast nurses. Also SCGH Breast clinic - I think their number is 9346 4590. I understand there is a breast clinic at FSH too. (Fiona Stanley Hospital)

Thinking of you especially during this difficult time and hoping you don't feel railroaded into a decision without having all the facts and time to consider. If you would like to chat anytime (on the phone) I am very happy to say hello. I understand you can private message people on this site?
xx

Hi Tamlyn. I was diagnosed this year too and was told chemo was up to me as it wasn’t clear about how beneficial it would be.  Tumour showed low possibility of recurrence but age wise I was at higher risk. I went for the Oncotype test. For me it was $5000 well spent. Showed a less than 1% benefit from chemo. Chemo can be pretty hard on the body so didn’t want to go through it unless I really had to. 

Dear @Tamlyn,

from jennyss in Western NSW

Hello...I'm 27 in Qld and finished treatment in September this year, ER/PR+ HER2- lobular not ductal...

Very scary time and I feel for you being left in the dark...my hardest time was between surgery and chemo deciding whether I should do fertility preservation. I personally was all for chemo and it was difficult, not going to lie, but I was very okay with going through it. 

My tumour was bigger and I had one micromet in one node...however I discussed the Oncotyope/Mammaprint tests with my team at a tertiary hospital and they said they really didn't think it was worth me spending the money and that they would generally offer most young women chemotherapy still. They explained this is due to the younger at diagnosis generally there is higher risk of recurrence. This data is supported worldwide and I have read a lot to studies this year about this.
I feel you will benefit from a second opinion to see if multiple teams agree no chemo. The vast majority of young women under 35 I have made contact with around the world this year all had chemotherapy. 
Definitely not trying to convince you to do something, as someone above said chemo can cause side effects, I myself have some feet neuropathy. Just trying to show you that there are alot of us out there under 30 who have had chemotherapy, even with smaller tumours like yourself. That being said...in the older women population ER/PR+ HER2-ve disease is definitely moving towards no chemo if it is early with no node involvement. 

I have a doctor pal who was diagnosed same as you aged 25, she only did 4 rounds of chemo versus my 8. Perhaps you could do something like that... ?

Fertility - agree with the statement from the fertility specialist about no need to preserve eggs if no chemo, tamoxifen in theory shouldn't damage your ovaries. Chemotherapy is known to, about 1 in 3 young women will not get their period back after chemo. In saying that, my girlfriend who was diagnosed at 29 same time as me this year in February has had two periods already since we finished chemo in July. 

There is a drug called Zoladex which you can take via monthly injection; this is done for two reasons. It turns off your ovaries so the theory is it will help preserve ovarian function during chemo if they aren't fully functioning during it. You have this option if you want to proceed with chemo but don't want to or don't have time to go through egg preservation.
The second is that it lowers oestrogen circulating in your body which for some higher risk hormone positive BC patients this is recommended to do as part of ongoing therapy with tamoxifen or another drug class called aromatase inhibitors.

I was a part of a video to assist young women who have just been diagnosed with BC around fertility treatment and it came out a few weeks ago..here is the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVmF0kNUv5g&feature=youtu.be 

My advice regarding needing advice at this time of year is to phone the larger hospitals in Perth and ask to be put through to the breast cancer nurses. You need help making decisions right now and I would just see where that gets you. However from personal experience being a nurse myself, alot of those positions do take annual leave right now and I wouldn't expect most to be there until the 6/1/20. Which sucks and is cruel. 

I hope some of this stuff helps.