Why chemo ?

It might increase your odds of cancer not coming back so you live longer. It’s a big decision, but it’s easier once you start. 

Hi @Melc503 , I had a partial with sentinel node then back in for a mastectomy with axillary clearance with lobular cancer.  My surgeon is also pretty sure that the cancer is gone but that's the key - he can't guarantee 100%. Once it's gone to the nodes it has moved out of the breast meaning it is no longer local.  While the cancer has been cut out, there might be escapee cells on the move, waiting to set up house elsewhere in the body.  The chemo is effectively a mopping up operation.  Do you know what chemo regimen you are going to be on?  While it's not pleasant, for most people it is do-able, and wouldn't be suggested if it wasn't going to reduce your chances of having a recurrence.  I'm guessing that you would have had radiation recommended even if it hadn't gone to the nodes.  That's my understanding of it but talk to your oncologist about the stats.  

It's perfectly reasonable, definitely not crazy, to ask why. It's also an option not to do it, but I suggest you get a clear answer to the Why? question before deciding. Unfortunately tests are not so precise that your specialists can tell if there are some stray cancer cells still in your body. You did have some nodes involved.  There may not be. Even if there are, they may not develop.  No-one really wants to do chemo or radiation, but those who have mainly did so because our teams gave us some pretty sound reasons why they thought our chances of not having cancer again (what we all want!) were better if we did. So you might want to ask:

• how much greater protection are these treatments likely to give you?
• what chemo is being suggested and what are the side effects (get it in writing so you can read it in your own time)
• how much radiation?

No-one can accurately predict what your reactions will be - they vary immensely from person to person - yes, some feel vile and others not so bad. But no-one can make you continue treatment you can't bear - you can always stop. Hard decisions, but that's cancer for you. Best wishes whatever you decide to do.

HI @Melc503,

It's probably because of the node involvement. It's a mop of any small nasties that may have been missed and are not big enough yet for the scan machines to pick up. 

I felt exactly the same as youl.  I kicked and screamed and questioned everything about it.  I very, very nearly said no.

Then I re read my pathology and saw all those lovely little words, like "highly invasive, possibly metastatic" and a dozen other things I can't remember now. I remembered that pee your pants feeling of complete fear at diagnosis.  I never ever want to feel that again knowing I hadn't done everything recommended. So off I marched to chemo and rads.

 I had lumpectomy (hence, the rads), full aux clearance 5/24 nodes involved.  The stinky thing was busting out of the nodes and invading the tissue around it as well. 

Chemo sux but you may not get horribly ill.  Everyone reacts differently, I had ACT chemo,  AC is a bit average to say the least but I managed to work, help my hubby run the farm, did all my usual stuff, went out, organised parties  etc etc.  The taxol was a lot easier and I hardly had any side effects.  I kept my hair with the cold cap as well.

I had next to problems with rads ,( had 30 rounds) my skin held up until about number 22 then healed up fast once I was finished.  I had no fatigue and the biggest hassle was driving there every day. 

At the end of the day, it's your choice and your feelings are completely understandable. I am sure most of us felt the same way at the start. 

xoxoxox

Wow, that should have said, next to no problems with rads.  

I just realised that I also meant to say that I have just finished chemo (AC-T) and about to start 15 doses of radiation.  

You're definitely not crazy for asking!

There's actually an online tool your oncologist can show you where you enter the specifics of your diagnosis and then each possible treatment. A bar graph goes up by varying amounts and you can ascertain the survival percentage with each treatment.

As the others have said, it's mopping up. It works for many, but not all, and there's no way of knowing which group you'll fall into. My mother had chemo in 1986 and is still here. My sister had it but it didn't work for her and she died two years later. I've had it and am crossing my fingers.

It's a decision only you can make. I'm like @kezmusc, I don't want to have an 'if only' moment and so have thrown the kitchen sink at my cancer. Whatever you decide just be sure you're comfortable with it. K xox

Thanks sooo much. You Gals are awesome. 
I am just struggling because I am finally starting to feel better and almost feel like I am going backwards. 
I am really keen to chat to you more 
@kezmusc and find out who you got your cold cap through and your experience with it. 
Losing my hair is a biggie for me as I don’t want to look sick. 

Just got my chemo schedule and if you ask me it’s bloody long. 

I'm not sure, in fact I could be completely wrong, but it could it be the other way around with dose dense AC for 8 weeks then paclitaxel weekly at the end? Probably doesn't matter, still sux. Mxx