Forum Discussion
Help...I'm so confused :) Chemo or no to chemo??
Hi to all
Still plodding along this end. Today I met with the oncology unit.
I'm so confused now. They have said my case is border line, but both the head oncologist and her team member who saw me, both thought chemo would be worth doing due to my age 51, and still having periods as the cancer was estrogen receptive or something like that.
They've left the decision up to me as I guess is the case with most of you guys. I guess if they said you have to have it no matter what it would be easier.
The stats they gave me was by having all 3 treatments was as follows.
My chance of recurrence would be 7 in 100, so 7%.
Without chemo, just hormone therapy recurrence rate is 11 in 100, so 11%.
Without either it would be 24% chance or recurring which is much higher.
Everone's reaction in my family has mostly been well you just get in and do it, give yourself the best chance of it not coming back. Then my son says, but mum, have you looked at whether you should do this to your body for only a 4% better chance prognosis. And then I got confused, lol.
How did others make this decision. Obvioulsly I want to live as long as I can in this life. I'm just stuck, do I forgo chemo, take that extra 4% risk and just get back on with life or do I do the chemo and reduce the risk, but have to go through gruelling treatments. Losing my hair will be hard for me as it's the one thing that has always made me feel pretty and confident in my life. But in saying that, that would not be enough for me to forgo treatment just for vanity's sake.
Appreciate your feedback, thanks ladies..xxx
P.S I hope everyone's week is going well so far..xxx
29 Replies
Hi, Kazza, I was diagnosed in Feb. and had grade 1 estrogen positive, tumor removed, radiation in May. I am 53 years, I was given the option as to have chemo or not, my Breast Dr. said yes, the oncologist said that it was up to me, after giving me all the stats, then I read so much that I became confused, I ended up getting a third opinion from my GP, who said that I must have the radiation, and the hormone tablets, but not the chemo. So that I what I did. I believe everyone has to do what is right for them. Only you can make the decision, if you have all the information, you can then make an informed choice. Good luck.
Hi
third time lucky at posting.
I had a 19mm tumour, ER and PR positive. After the lumpectomy I had clear margins, no lymph node involvement. HER 2 negative. I had hoped for only radiation BUT my oncologist recommended that i have chemo as I had a high ki-67 - which meant the tumour was proliferating really fast and therefore made it an aggressive tumour (grade 3). They can't make us have treatment, but once recommended I knew I had to do it. I did not want to down the track be angry at myself that I dipped out on chemo. So I went ahead. It is a tough 3 months (I had the same chemo that you have been prescribed) - but it is doable. You have to look after yourself. I managed to work full time in an admin type role through it - with only several sick days on chemo day and when the steroids had stopped. It takes a while to fully recover but a year on I am feeling pretty well. Back to the gym and back to socialising.
Look after yourself and you will find lots of support on this network whatever you decide.
Marg x
Kazza, great pic of you and your sister. 5 kids and 3 amazing grandkids, that's beautiful.
Thanks for sharing and all the best with the decision.
(Your beautiful hair will grow back)
Karen xx
Hi it's me again!! I just wanted to tell you that my chemo was docetaxel AND cyclophosphamide, and as I said,I found it to be not too bad at all.By the way,gorgeous photo:):) Robyn
Sorry I do have kids, not sure why that got typed in.....5 wonderful kids, all young adults :)
This is me on the left and my baby sis on one of our nights out. The main pic on my profile I just uploaded is at my 50th last year with my youngest daughter.
I have 5 kids.
2 girls, 26 & 31.
3 boys, 21, 23, & 25.
I also have 3 awesome grandkids too, 3, 5 & 9.
So much to live for :) :) :)
Hey Karen
Thanks for your reply.
Think I will do the walking as well, lots of women all say they have been doing it and it helps.. I've had to lose a lot of my mobility due to a fall in 2008, used to swim morning and night and dance till the sun come up. Back, Neck, Arm and Hip damage, plus asthma, migraines has all limited what I can and cannot do. So this on top of everything else is another barrier to overcome.
I will keep plugging along though. I do believe in better days ahead...xxx
Thanks Tracey B.
Checking out the wig, scarves etc options over the next week.
Appreciate your reply..xxx
