Hi everyone,I am new to this list. I am 60 and was diagnosed with breast cancer (ER+, PR-, HER2-, Grade 3, Stage 2) and had a mastectomy a couple of months ago. My oncologist recommends chemotherapy followed by hormone therapy. However, I have been reluctant to undergo chemotherapy due to concerns about the side effects, especially the long-term ones. I am curious about how others made their decisions regarding chemotherapy.I also had a genomic test, which reported a 36% risk of recurrence. Chemotherapy might reduce this risk by around 10%, and hormone therapy could further reduce it by another 10-15%. I am still uncertain, but I need to make a decision soon.My oncologist recommended a combination of two drugs: Docetaxel and Cyclophosphamide. I wonder if anyone has experience with this combination. I have seen some posts about chemotherapy, but they discussed single drugs administered sequentially, not together. I am concerned that the combined treatment might be more taxing on the body.Thank you for reading my post and for your responses in advance.

Beautiful and Lovely Ladies,My heartfelt thanks for sharing your stories, insights, and caring good wishes. It’s comforting to know that you have successfully completed the chemo process and have managed or are managing the side effects well.I still have to make up my mind, but when I do, I will be thinking of you. Wishing you all good health and a BC-free future. With Warm regards.

Hi @Emeraldgreen . I had the chemo combination you had. Like you, I was also quite frightened of chemo having watched a family member go through it. What made me decide to follow through with it is the fact I didn't want to have any regrets- I needed to know I went with recommendations should things go pear shaped down the track.In terms of how I found docetaxel + cyclophosphoramide chemo. They give you massive amounts of steroids to take in the first couple of days which mitigate most of the risk of vomiting. This worked for me but I did find they made me quite constipated (with the opposite effect once they wore off). They also made me a bit "high" and it was a bit hard to sleep. I was up at 2-3am through most of the four months of chemo tbh. They also give you an injection the day after treatment day which stimulates your immune system to hopefully prevent infection. I found that one gave me quite a lot of pain for a day or two but I was ok after that time. I also wore an n95 mask to all hospital appointments including during radiotherapy afterwards- I didn't care what people thought, I wasn't taking any risks.One thing about TC chemo- it does hate hair and nails but they do eventually grow back. My nails were curly like a corrogated iron roof but they've finally grown in straight now I'm 12+ months post treatment. My hair started growing back in around 4 weeks post the final cycle- at first downy bum fluff that was curly but now it's gone back to straight. Eyebrows took a litle longer and they are admittedly thinner than they were. In terms of long term side effects I have a tiny numb/tingly patch on the outer side of my big toe (peripheral neuropathy) but it's not really anything to write home about. Just to give you hope. I was a swimmer before I got sick and now I'm back to swimming 2km/5 days a week. I have full use of my shoulder- I was very conscientious with doing all the exercises the physio gave me. It hurt at the time but now I see the pay off. At first going back to swimming was hard- my endurance was shot but you take it one week at a time and it does get better.Good luck. These aren't easy decisions and the treatments affect everyone differently.

@Emeraldgreen When my Dad died he made me promise not to ever get chemo as it was so harsh on him and yet he didn’t survive it anyway. Eighteen years later I got a cancer diagnosis. I have always hated putting anything non natural in my body. However, my best chance of survival was chemo. My Onco assured me drugs had come a long was since I made that promise to my wonderful Dad, who only ever wanted the best for me. So I broke my promise which was so very hard to do. Yes I had side effects, but they were doable. The chemo killed those blighters and is the reason I am alive today. I didn’t let fear of the unknown stop me from giving me the best chances of survival. Sending you big hugs as you make your decisions.

@Emeraldgreen my story is almost exactly the same as yours, except I am 13 years younger :) Very similar diagnosis, 5 weeks post-surgery now and just about to start 20 weeks of chemo. I am very daunted by the range of side effects, and my very brave 20-year-old son recently sat in on my appointment with the oncologist. When he heard the side effects, he was very overwhelmed and asked "why would you put yourself through that?!". I said to him that for me, it wasn't really about choosing to 'want' the chemo, but more about not being able to move forward and think that I didn't throw everything that I could at this disease. I still have a lot more life to live and if this helps me do that, then I feel better in myself knowing I gave it my all. My beautiful sister-in-law who has also recently been through this journey shared a simple statement with me - it is only temporary. This has resonated so much with me, and it has helping me find peace with this. Every person has to choose their own path and I hope you find a decision that sits comfortably for you. I wish you all the best moving forward. x

Sorry to see you here, @Emeraldgreen ... a 36% risk of recurrence is pretty 'big' in my opinion and personally, I would throw the bus at it! ... Did your pathology show any activity in the nodes at all? Not all chemo causes hair loss - and wearing a Cold Cap may also reduce the amount of hair loss - and it pretty well always grows back after the chemo stops. Your Oncologist has your best interests at heart and wouldn't suggest doing the chemo if they didn't think it would reduce your chance of recurrence - You could always see another Onc, for a 2nd opinion ... but be prepared for them to say the same - to do the chemo. Do you have a Breast Care Nurse? Maybe you could have a chat with her. Have you talked to your family about this, tho I know that in the end, it is your decision to make.Take care & wishing you all the best

chemo or no chemo | BCNA Online Network

23 Replies

Emeraldgreen
Member
12 months ago
@June1952 and @arpie, Thank you very much for your thoughtful messages and information. Yes, my recurrence risk is high, with anything under 25% considered to be low. Although no lymph nodes are affected, the tumor size was 2.4 cm, which is not small. My oncologist is very kind and I trust him.
However, I have been contemplating whether the uncertain 10% benefit from chemotherapy is worthwhile, especially considering the side effects. These side effects not only reduce my immune system's ability to fight but also damage internal organs like the digestive system and liver. I guess that I'm struggling with the idea of attacking my own system for an uncertain treatment outcome. If it works, that would be great, but if it doesn't, it could leave me even more vulnerable. I understand that no treatment is perfect or 100% effective, but I still worry. Maybe I'm overthinking it. It is very comforting to receive your kind messages and encouragement. Thanks again.
June1952
Member
12 months ago
@Emeraldgreen, I agree with @arpie in that the specialist would be recommending the best treatment given your circumstances. You have done the genomic test so you have some decent criteria re a recurrence - hair or no hair I'd be accepting the chemo. You are stronger than you think so, like many others before you, you will get through it.
I have also sent you a private message (look at the msg icon next to your profile icon at the top right of the screen).
All the best with your decision. 💖
arpie
Member
12 months ago
Sorry to see you here, @Emeraldgreen ... a 36% risk of recurrence is pretty 'big' in my opinion and personally, I would throw the bus at it! ... Did your pathology show any activity in the nodes at all?

Not all chemo causes hair loss - and wearing a Cold Cap may also reduce the amount of hair loss - and it pretty well always grows back after the chemo stops.

Your Oncologist has your best interests at heart and wouldn't suggest doing the chemo if they didn't think it would reduce your chance of recurrence - You could always see another Onc, for a 2nd opinion ... but be prepared for them to say the same - to do the chemo.

Do you have a Breast Care Nurse? Maybe you could have a chat with her.

Have you talked to your family about this, tho I know that in the end, it is your decision to make.

Take care & wishing you all the best

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chemo or no chemo

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