I was given the choice by my oncologist. My cancer was early breast cancer ER+ PR- and Her2+ Grade 2/3 so even though mine was found early it was aggressive. It had also gotten into my nodes 11 nodes taken and 5 with microscopic traces so I opted for surgery 1st then chemo. I also opted for double mastectomy. My logic was that I was better going into surgery when I was fit and “healthy” rather than after 6mths of chemo because I didn’t know how my body was going to react to chemo so better to have surgery when I was still fit and well. I was 37 with a 4 1/2 yr old and 1 1/2 yr old. I was lucky and got through chemo with very few side effects so turns out surgery would have been fine in either order. The recover from surgery was really fast and easy for me too but I didn’t have immediate recon because I wanted to get through chemo so that would change things. Good luck. Ask lots of questions when you see you’re oncologist and remember that if they will recommend the order of treatment that they believe is best for you so I would take their advice. If they give you the option sit down like I did and write a list of pros and cons for both options. Good luck and remember it may be a rough few months but it’s only a moment in time and you will get through it xxx
