New and just diagnosed with TNBC
This discussion was created from comments split from: Triple Negative.
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It sounds like quite a difference to me as well. And do remember that while you would never describe chemo as fun, for most people it is nowhere near as bad as what they expected. While some do have a hard time, others are able to get on with their lives throughout. A lot of us fall somewhere in the middle, with good days and bad but we do get through. Having been one of those in the middle, I'm glad it's over but I'm glad I did it. Whatever happens, I won't be looking back and saying, "What if I'd done it?" Our @allyjay posted this a while ago and I have referred to it a few times as I think it puts things so well:
"Purely on the statistical side, for me, when faced with the same decision as you now are, I looked at it from different angles. One of the scenarios for me was this. I was in a room with 1000 women who were told that they had been diagnosed with my type and grade of breast cancer. We were all told to have such and such surgery, which we did. We were then taken back to that same dreaded room and given a card with a number. Then 830 numbers were read out, and those women were allowed to leave the room and go next door for a celebratory cup of tea and slice of cake....considered cured (10 years). The other 170 shocked women looked at each other with dread. Just then the compere said...."Oh sorry, I forgot, I have another 70 numbers to draw, that is the women who had additional chemo, they can pick up their bags and join the others". If, perchance I was one of the 100 left behind to the future of stage four, would I wish that I might have been one of the other 70, or would I go "Que Sera Sera..." and accept it? For me the answer was "Fuck no" bring it all on, and if the wheels still fall off, at least I would have given it my best shot, and not have been left with the perhaps..." Each of us has to weigh it all up, make our decisions and then go forward. Having started chemo, you can always stop. But it doesn't work the other way."
Whatever way you go, it is your decision. Good luck.
"Purely on the statistical side, for me, when faced with the same decision as you now are, I looked at it from different angles. One of the scenarios for me was this. I was in a room with 1000 women who were told that they had been diagnosed with my type and grade of breast cancer. We were all told to have such and such surgery, which we did. We were then taken back to that same dreaded room and given a card with a number. Then 830 numbers were read out, and those women were allowed to leave the room and go next door for a celebratory cup of tea and slice of cake....considered cured (10 years). The other 170 shocked women looked at each other with dread. Just then the compere said...."Oh sorry, I forgot, I have another 70 numbers to draw, that is the women who had additional chemo, they can pick up their bags and join the others". If, perchance I was one of the 100 left behind to the future of stage four, would I wish that I might have been one of the other 70, or would I go "Que Sera Sera..." and accept it? For me the answer was "Fuck no" bring it all on, and if the wheels still fall off, at least I would have given it my best shot, and not have been left with the perhaps..." Each of us has to weigh it all up, make our decisions and then go forward. Having started chemo, you can always stop. But it doesn't work the other way."
Whatever way you go, it is your decision. Good luck.