@RR what I've learnt since being diagnosed with breast cancer is that there are so many types of breast cancer. Everyones is different and treatment varies for each. I've also learnt our surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists are all specialists in their field are pretty good at getting it right. So much research has gone into breast cancer . I too had a complete panic about having chemo (as I did about my surgery) . The chemo panic was severe enough to make me jump onto this forum (rather than just lurk) to ask advice ...... and to call my breast nurse in a complete tizz. She quickly made an appointment to see me and reassured me. I advise you to give your breast nurse a call. She also is a specialist in her field ..... easier to talk to has an overall understanding of what you're going through rather than just treat you, and will explain the reasons your team prefer you to have chemo before surgery in an easier to understand terminology.
ps: I'm half way through chemo , for me it is doable. Take all the help you're offered. Get everything done during your good week if you can. Chemo is cyclical and hopefully like me you get a good week before they hit you with it again. It's amazing what you can achieve in that good week. I don't have young children which I realise makes it considerably easier for me . Today I went on a pre-chemo lunch date and polished off 3/4 bottle of sparkling and had a gorgeous tasty meal. I can't even look at wine in the first two weeks, or tea or coffee. My food tastes like cardboard .... it makes this third week even more special and I get everything done in my good week, cooking and freezing .
All the best and take care xxxxx
