chemo or no chemo

Dear @Emeraldgreen, throw everything you can at this.  If the cancer did come back and you didn't have the chemo, you would be kicking yourself. I did everything I could. I had surgery, chemo, radium, hormone suppression with AI but I unfortunately haven't been successful. I am glad I did it all and I am still dealing with it all again. Do what your doctor advises. You can mitigate any side effects now or in the long term. The only thing I can guarantee is you don't want this thing back.

Hi @Emeraldgreen, I was diagnosed at 58.5 years old (in 2023). 

@Emeraldgreen - these are tough decisions to make and sounds like you have a great treating team who are advising in your interests.  Chemotherapy is tough but as these other ladies have said not everyone gets all the side effects short or longer term.  I am currently on the chemo journey, and your mind does play tricks initially about what am I getting from this.  My mantra has been I choose life and I remind myself of this when it is tough going - I make this choice not just for me, for my family and friends - so I am taking all treatment on offer.  I wish you all the best in as you weigh everything up and make your decision.

Hi @Emeraldgreen

I had chemo nearly 12 years ago, A/C and paclitaxel (the latter is a taxane, as is docetaxel). While I understand the concern about long term effects, I agree with others that the possibility of recurrence may be a greater concern. I was 67 when diagnosed, recent tests have shown that my liver, spleen and kidneys are in fine condition, I have had no problem with digestive issues and while surgery, chemo (more likely the A/C) and my age combined to tip my heart into an arrythmia, I continue free of any side effects, with a healthy heart function on minimal medication. Paclitaxel was probably responsible for peripheral neuropathy, affecting my feet. It doesn't affect everyone, most of those who are affected have a slight impact during treatment and it clears up afterwards. 

It's hard to know how any individual will react to chemo. Nausea and fatigue are common and I didn't have either, I worked throughout treatment and felt fine. Two people on the same chemotherapy can have quite different reactions. Like many, I knew nothing about breast cancer when diagnosed and not much about cancer generally. I had (still have) a surgeon and an oncologist I trusted. I followed their advice and have never regretted it. No side effects at all would be great but cancer is difficult, complex and unforgiving. Throwing everything at it has given me 12 more years I might not have had (and hopefully more). That includes some memorable travel, a wonderful project at work for five years, a great deal of learning and two grandchildren. In return I take a few pills and can't sprint. Seems worth it to me. Best wishes for your continued recovery, whatever you choose. 

Hi @Emeraldgreen, I had a similar diagnosis, stage 2 grade 3, 2cm cancer, 1 lymph node involved, but clear margins for all. A higher risk of reoccurring,  about 30%. My oncologist strongly recommended the same chemotherapy plan as you, and told me he would strongly recommend it even without the lymph node involvement due to the high grade cancer. I chose to do the chemo, I don't want this coming back and will do everything recommended to try and avoid that happening. I have just finished chemo, it wasn't a walk in the park, but my side effects were manageable, and 3 weeks on from my final chemo I'm feeling ok and my hair is starting to grow back. Moving on to radiation therapy next and then hormone treatment. The early stages can be very overwhelming, I contacted my local McGrath Nurse who was so helpful and answered all my questions. Wishing you all the best through your journey. Katie 

Dear @Emeraldgreen,

from jennyss in Western NSW

Hi @Emeraldgreen, if it's the long term that's particularly concerning to you, I'd take possible side effects from chemo over a possible recurrence of the cancer any day. There's no guarantees in life but having recently had a recurrence 17 years after treatment for early breast cancer (including chemo), I take some comfort in knowing I did everything possible at the time to knock it on the head. Yes, chemo is awful but the cancer coming back is crushing :(  

Hi @Emeraldgreen
I always ask my Doctors “ what would you recommend if I was your mum ( or sister).”
I figure the medical specialists do years of training and then usually have years of experience so their  advice should be respected.
If you  don’t  have the chemo and then the cancer comes back , you will regret the decision.
In the end it’s up to you but as the ladies have said above -  throwing  the bus at it seems like the way to go.

@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 I would also be throwing the bus at this disease. I would be doing everything I possibly could.  Not everyone gets all the side effects.  You get through by putting 1 foot in front of the other.    Our minds do go into over drive.