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

Hi yes think its called Docetaxel or something like that and another one  Cyclophosphamide.

4 Doses, 3 Weeks apart.

I have medium long thick hair. That many people say ..oh I love your hair...and I have always been like, I so like my hair too. And only been short once in my life...always long hair, I'm 51 now, but still feel so young, lol.

I've booked in for the Look Good Feel Good workshop next Tuesday, and also contacting the Cancer Council Wig & Turban support group etc so I can start to get used to the idea and to learn how to feel okay without hair.

The doctor told me flat out..first thing pretty much. YOUR GOING TO LOSE YOUR HAIR,...geez, break it to me lightly why don't you doc, haha.

I don''t have a partner or kids, so I do wonder how I will be viewed as a single lady with no hair...it was hard enough trying to get a date before, haha...

I will post a pic of myself, so you guys can all see my before and after pics, lol.

Thanks for your reply...appreciated...xxx

Thanks Hazel

I think mine is very similar to yours by the sounds of it.

Great to hear your out the other side of it. Will continue to pray for continued good health for you...xxx

Thanks Pam for your reply.

Yes, realising everyone is different with there results and options. I think being told you had to and being told you have a choice makes it a more difficult decision. I keep coming to the conclusion that I think the niggling, what if, may be something that would bother me if I turned down the chemo.

So still thinking and trying to just relax and find the answer soon...Cheers, Karen xxx

Thanks Robyn

I read this while on the phone to my sister down south, and you pretty much said what I had been feeling and thinking. Also what I had just been saying to my sister. It was an encouraging post with the things to counteract the side effects.

Thanks heaps, much appreciated your post..xxx

Hi Kazza,

It's a hard decision that only you can make I'm afraid.

In my case, I had a 40mm tumour hormone receptor positive and due to the size the medical oncologist recommended chemo. There was also the possibility of not have chemo but having a different hormone therapy instead but i went with their statistics that the chemo was the best way to prevent recurrences.  As a second tumour was found in the breast tissue as well, I'm also having radiotherapy late in the year.  This will all be followed up with hormone treatment.  I know I'm more fortunate than a lot of others out there.  But as far as I was concerned, I went with the better stats.  I'm 48 with two teenagers.

As far as the chemo side-effects are concerned, I'm having AC treatment.  There are so many side effects that don't effect everyone but you get told about all.  The anti nausea meds are pretty amazing at being able to keep an appetite.  I get tired but I've been walking every day and doing the post op pilates dvd.  The hair loss is confronting especially when it's falling out in your hands (I won't lie).  I had it cut short to a pixie to adjust and as I've had that hairstyle before, it wasn't too bad.  I would recommend a wig early on to a similar style to what you have already.  

I've taken leave from my teaching position since surgeries and especially during chemo as immunity will be low facing a class of 28 students during flu season. Psychologically, I'm still coming to terms with the whole cancer diagnosis, when I felt fit, healthy, ran and did zumba, coached soccer teams etc.  I know it's a similar experience for many.  We're not sick, but it's the treatment that makes us feel sick.  I know this feeling is temporary. 

All the best with your decision Kazza,

Big hugs,

Karen xx

Hey Mona..

Thanks for reply, so did you mean you demanded the chemo as it was a 2% better chance of not recurring if you had it, and you did or didn't have chemo?

Oops meant to add this(breast ca infilit duct grade 2. 20mm. Lymph node .8mm.  Hormone recept, re pos, pr pos, her2 neg. treatment lumpectomy, radiation, tamoxafin)

Hi there I had a bit of a different experience: when my privat breast surgeon gave me my results she said her oncologist colleagues had all recommended chemo. I felt ill witha sense of dread and later she strongly recommended I go to see an oncologist who was a bit out of my way. And he said no I don't recommend chemo: overused in my case and surgery and hormonal treatment were really key aspects but might as well add a bit of radiation as well.  Instantly it felt right for me to do this: and I think he quoted about a 2 percent improvement with chemo.  I then said well I could 'demand it' and he said people did this.  I'm lucky that cancer is not huge in my family and I get there are no guarantees.  The public radiation hospital I eventually went o didn't blink an eye although my surgeons work impressed them all!  I'm glad I took my path and I do  want to have years to come but my time now is also of value.  Some time ago I met someone who had obviously been told I had breast cancer and she looked at my chest and said 'so you had a double mascetomies?' --no you probably wouldn't notice! And the she said looking at my hair 'so you lost all your hair and that's a wig?'   Er no: I'd don't have chemo and this is my hair!" Best wishes!

Hi Kazza, if it was me, I would go ahead with it. I have two beautiful wigs to replace my hair. It took 3 weeks of wearing them before anybody noticed or commented. I know that it's a hard decision, but you're dealing with cancer, even though your odds are lower. Make it your decision, and your decision only, and look after yourself. Cuddles and warm wishes, Tracey B ??

BCNA is lobbying the Government to make the Oncotype test free in Australia like it is in America. I really hope this can happen soon so everyone can benefit from it.