To Chemo or not to Chemo

Hi @Beachlady, for me I had no choice weather or not to go down the Chemo path as my BC was inoperable without it. I have finished 4 x 3 weekly rounds of AC Chemo and am now 7 down out of 12 Taxol treatments. The treatment is working and my BC has shrunk substantially, I have been extremely lucky and have had minimal side effects compared to many. Chemo is not an easy road and we all wonder what it is doing to our bodies but for me I know it is giving me the best chance to fight this cancer. Our bodies are amazing and once I've beaten this I will focus on repairing and staying well. 2 years ago as a family we struggled with this same question when my Mum was facing her 3rd battle with a primary cancer, she was also extremely anti chemo but the surgery options for her were complicated given her previous history. Thankfully Mum (although kicking and screaming at times ) went with the treatment suggested and is now completely cancer free, healthy and enjoying life. 

Wishing you all the best with whatever treatment path you decide on.
Kat x

@Beachlady absolutely is so so hard. I think its not so much how big your tumor was but maybe your pathology? as in Grade and Stage? I was Stage 2 Grade 3, the grade 3 determined chemo for me. I WAS ABSOLUTELY out of my mind, I did not WANT CHEMO!!!! but because mine was a recurrence it was the only option I had. I think you have to have to look at your personal diagnosis and be guided by your Team. I wasnt prepared to gamble with mine I guess that was the decision I came to, but I absolutely didnt want to do it...but am 17 months post now and really starting to thrive again. Hugs to you, it is a huge decision and only one you can make, so trust yourself to do what you feel is best for you. Melinda x

Hi @Beachlady, I had a 2.7cm tumor with satellite (benign) no nodes involved Grade 1.  Oncologist told me my Ki 67 was 20% and they wanted to do the onco testing to get a better picture. Everything else for me was low risk.  High score on test meant definite chemo for me,  low score no chemo.  I asked about middle range and was told they didnt know what they would do.  So I  decided because everything other than this one test pointed to low chance of recurrence  I was going to go with the information on hand.  So no chemo, no radiation, hormone therapy for however long.  Do I  stress about my decision - nope because I based it on information I had at the time.  Do I  worry about recurrence  - well really who doesn't?  BUT I'm happy with what I've chosen. Wishing you all the best for your decision because it is hard. Xx Cath 

Its really hard weighing to have chemo or not....i have just had my first hit yesterday (10 may), for the second time as had 17 years ago and now recurrence which is now stage 4....was i pissed off, you betcha...had 6 months chemo, 2 months of radio and 5 years tamoxifen...and then thought yay, done and dusted.....
Rediagosed as stage 4 in may 2015, mets in spine, liver and lung and kept it at bay for 2 years til now.
You read so much on alternate remedies verses chemo and or combining both, and of course we want that magic cure.
Have to put trust in oncologist and be guided by them but they not very open to less traditonal treatments....and heaven forbid don't ask about mecical marijuana.
I still feel I've done the right thing in having the chemo and then apparently will go back on a hormone tablet, probably extemasene.
So hugs to you, it will fall into place xx

Hi .@Beachlady. I too had originally been diagnosed with a smaller tumour size (12mm) on mammogram and ultrasound but after surgery dx was 32mm tumour (similar size to yours) but 1 sentinel node involved out of 15 nodes. Stage 2b Grade 2, ER+, PR+ HER2-. Further treatment was delayed due to infection and a third surgery through same incision site. I was offered chemo and like you am really opposed to it. My Ki 67 was not recorded on pathology as it is not tested in Queensland according to my onc. I did want to do Endopredict to get an idea of recurrence risk but as treatment was already delayed I was strongly encouraged by my treatment team to go ahead with chemo. The only statistical figure I had to refer to was one through the online predict test which resulted in a 2.3% improvement in non reoccurance within the next 5 years, 7% improvement over 10 years. As other ladies here have posted it is a lottery and such a personal choice. I really struggled with the choice but with great support from family and friends and further support, experience and wisdom
from the ladies on this online network I chose to go ahead with chemo. I have had 2 cycles of FEC, with one more to come then 3 cycles of docetaxel. Chemo sucks as I'm sure everyone would agree and the side effects are different for everyone. Now however I have reconciled my choice as I don't want any regrets even if the lottery does go against me in the future. It is a very difficult decision to chose chemo if you are really opposed to it. Just know that support is out there and as I have experienced is readily available in bucket loads on this online network which ever choice you make. Sending you virtual hugs and hope that the meeting with your onc was productive. Sophie x

Hi @Beachlady - I think my bc is very similar to yours - similar size (I had 2 tumours), grade 3, lymph nodes negative, ER+, PR+ and HER2+. So I am looking at ongoing drugs for some time. I was scared of chemo, but didn't really contemplate not having it due to the explanation given to me by my surgeon around holistic treatment. It made sense to me so I went with it. 
Was it worth it? I don't know - what I do know is that I have given myself the best chance possible & my adult children are glad that I did. We are all in this journey together. 
I still don't like chemo and I can understand that some people don't want to go there - we all need to control our own journey. 
Lesley x

@Beachlady Why would you not give yourself the best possible chance? If Chemo is recommended by your care team then that is what they consider your best possible chance.

And @Beachlady

@Beachlady, sorry the rest of my post 

Hi @Beachlady, you should go see my bc team lol iv had a mastectomy in Jan and now half way through radiation. I had 2 tumours invasive lobular estrogen positive , 2.8 &2.4 cm I had one positive lymph node and was told no chemo for me as they said new stats say 1-3 nodes positive the chemo won't work and for me to have hormone treatment for the next 10 yrs or possible longer . I was given the option of radiation which I agreed to have as stats said without rads there is s 15% local recurrence and with rads 5% Iv been told by oncologist I have 20% recurrence of cancer returning