Help...I'm so confused :) Chemo or no to chemo??

Hi Jacqui .

Yes they did mention that. 

But as a so for mum who raised 5 kids and now on a disability and part time work I've no access to such a large amount of money .

It's sad that some of us could forego the treatment if we had the option of the testing first to see if it was even beneficial. ??

Do you know what drugs your oncologist was planning on using if you do accept the chemo? That would be the major factor in my decision making - some of them are nasty but others they really have worked out how to mask a lot of the worst side effects. It might help to ask about side effects people had on your specific drug.

You could surprise yourself with your hair. I had 3 other people cry for my lost hair but it was personally easier than I expected. I booked in for an extreme cut the week before I started and took my waist length waves up to a chin length bob (that is what I am growing it back to, I loved it) then I took it to a pixie cut when it started to fall out before getting my husband to give me a number 2 a couple of days after my 2nd treatment.  I finished my 4 rounds of taxane 9 weeks ago and my hair is really thickening up and it is so soft and fluffy (yes, my family and I pat my head).

While it was unpleasant it really wasn't too bad at all - this is coming from a person who demanded the oncologist explain why she now wanted me to poison myself after the surgeon had done such a successful job of removing my cancer. My decision to go with it was a mix of things, the main 2 - a friend who was 39 when diagnosed (I was 41 and like you ER+ve) and 2 years ahead of me in all of this making a passing comment that I shouldn't look at chemo as a bad thing but to see it as extra insurance. The 2nd reason my mum (diag at 42) only had a lumpectomy and radiation and then had it return so it was enough to make me want to do things differently. Your reasons for your decision will be just as personal and possible baffling to an outsider as mine.

Hi Kazza, have they talked about the possibility of an Oncotype DX test? I am 45 and was similar to you, borderline for chemo. I was prepared to do it but my medical team said I should do the Oncotype test. So a slice of my tumour was sent to America where they test the activity of 21 genes in it to predict my recurrence score and the likely benefit of chemo. It came back as very low ... a 9 which means I have a 9% recurrence risk after taking Tamoxifen for 5 years. It also said chemo wouldn't provide any benefit so the doctors said definitely don't do it. A score under 18 is low-risk and no chemo, 18-30 is borderline and over that is yes to chemo. The test is expensive, it cost me $4000 out-of-pocket but I think it is worth it to help with decision making and to avoid doing chemo for no benefit. Good luck with your decision, Jacqui

Hi, chemo was recommended for me due to my family history and they wanted to 'mop up' as a precaution, even though they were very confident they had got everything. I was terrified of chemo, but I decided to follow the medical team's advice and have the treatment. For me, it was a case of knowing I did everything I could, so that whatever the future holds for me, I will have no regrets. I didn't have an easy time of it with chemo, but I am now 18 months past that and feeling really good. My hair has grown back and I have adjusted to life after BC. It's a big decision and one that only you can make, all the best with whatever you decide, take care, 

Hazel xx

Sorry its pam again, I read your letter properly and you have got radio.  But still ask more questions, you need to understand why they think it would be wise.

Oh no wonder you are confused.  Relax and take your time.  

Can you get another opinion?    Why chemo and not radio?  I'm not a medical person but I thought that chemo just killed any cancer cells in the body, and radio killed any remaining cancer cells in the breast, and the hormone treatment prevented the reoccurence?

I too didn't have a choice, and after 8 cycles of chemo, 6 weeks radio, and one year hercepton I'm afraid I don't feel great. Maybe one day,  and after all of the above I still have a 30% risk of reoccurence. . BUT quite a few ladies I have met who just had the 4 cycles of chemo are fine, and haven't had any lasting effects.  

  So as I said relax, let it ride for a little while and you will work it out.

Pam  

Hello:) I finished my chemo 18 months ago.I have NEVER felt better than I do now!! I am 60 years old,and had chemo because there is no way that I would want to look back  in a few months and say," I knew I should have had it".It would probably be too late then!Some chemo is harder than others  I believe,and some ladies have more rounds than others.I had 4 rounds of docetaxel,and believe it or not,it was really not bad.At least,it was nowhere near as terrible as I thought it would be.I walked every day,yes I got tired( so I rested more than usual) yes my hair fell out( and I grew to love it because it was so simple being bald!!) yes I had food cravings( so I ate what I felt like) yes I had skin rashes( so I took Zyrtec) and yes I had some constipation( and I took the medication I was given).It is a personal choice,if you are given an option whether to have chemo or not,but for me,life is far too precious to take a chance.All the best with your decision.Cheers Robyn.xox

Hi Lyn

Thanks for the reply.

Sorry to hear you are having the full kit and kaboodle as that expression goes. That has got to suck. I've been positve up until lately, now it's all a bit too much. Just got real I think, lol.

Yes saw my breast care nurse prior to my appointment but not after. My work is very supportive, I have just cut down from 5 mornings a week to 2 mornings, so hoping if I do go the chemo road I can still work on some weeks.

The side effects are enough to scare anyone off. I've never been good at decisions although I do think eventually the right decisions always come to me, I guess I can force the right way to go, as I am just a jumbled, scrambled, confused mess at the moment. I have till next Wednesday before the next appointment to meet with them to let them know my decision. Also will have to follow up with radiation as well as hormone therapy regardless of chemo or not. 

Will try to sit back and just take it in and wait for the right answer to come to me.

Smiles, prayers and love to you :) xxx

Oh Kazza, that's a hard one. For me it wasn't a choice. I'm having chemo 1st, then surgery, then radiotherapy, then hormones. The lot! Just had 2nd cycle yesterday. Yes,I'm losing my hair, but otherwise, just a bit queasy & tired a lot of the time. Managing work, part time, Monday, Wednesday, Friday,but I'm exceptionally lucky, with an extremely supportive & flexible workplace. Take care. And make the decision that feels right for you, with the information that you have. Do you have a Breast care nurse you can bounce thoughts off? Regards, Lyn