Hi, I've been chatting to some of you wonderful ladies here online and thought I'd give a little update on my journey. As you may know I was questioning the need for chemo in my BC case a while ago. Now I know chemo is on (starting tomorrow). According to path report the DCIS did actually have some invasion (node neg though), and because of my young age (I'm 45 and MO says anyone under 50 is considered young), high grade and Ki67 factor chemo is recommended. MO also said that even though the initial benefit from chemo may only be 1-2%, it will expand 10+% over the next 15 years and further. Although I don't like looking at BC statistics I did some research (occupational hazard in a way) and now totally agree with him. I'm having FEC x6, anyone else here had the same regimen? The whole idea scares the hell out of me though, I'm sad to lose my hair but mostly worried about the more serious side effects, to the heart and liver etc. But you gotta do what do gotta do... Another thing that I found interesting is that my MO did not disagree or forbid me taking any one of the supplements I had listed for the duration of chemo. I had about a dozen of them, some of which I take regularly and some that I intended to take while on chemo. I understand many (?) MOs do not allow chemo patients take any supplements but I was quite surprised he didn't have any problems with my "goodies" list. And he is quite a reputable oncology prof. I do thorough research on the supplements however, I have an access to the peer reviewed scientfic journals thanks to my master public health studies (almost done!) and can say there are a lot of interesting studies out there on supplementing, cancer and chemo. I'd be interested in hearing what your/the other oncologists have said about the supplementing. Annie :)

Hi Annie, This is Natalie, we had a discussion about not doing chemo. If you dont mind me asking, what swayed your decision. I have said no to chemo and yes to radiation at this stage. My nurse rang me this morning and said they hadnt contacvted me for a week hoping I would have time to think and change my mind. I can honestly say no, I may be starting to doubt this decision. Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks , Natalie xxx

Chemo is scary at first- I almost did a runner! My poor oncologist didn't have a clue about supplements when I took my bottles in .He's a professor as well. He was ok with it though.Like you,I did my own research.I stopped flaxseed tabs when I started Tamoxifen as there was some controversy about that one. Sometimes with chemo,you are struggling to get a cracker and water down,let alone a supplement.Your body will soon tell you what can pass your lips. Your appetite goes awol and the inside of your mouth feels like fur.I lived off lemonaide iceblocks,lemon cordial,vegie soup and crackers.Good luck Annie and I hope chemo is not too hard on you. Tonya xx

Hi Natalie, the decision was a hard one, I dread the whole idea of the chemo but fear recurrences more... if the benefit was as low as 1-2% I probably wouldn't do it, but after having a good look at research on chemo's longterm benefit I decided it was worth it. As a scientist I believe in evidence based medicine and statistics, even when it's about something as terrifying as chemotherapy. Unlike many other cancers BC is a devious one, can stay dormant and re-emerge years later. I rather do chemo now to kill any stray cancer buggers than find them lurking in my body in years to come, secondaries are always tougher to treat... A couple of months of "suffering" is nothing if it gives me longevity, helps me to hang around to see my son growing up, getting married and having kids. I understand your dilemma, chemo is a tough call.. In a way i hope I could just snap out of this nightmare and not do it, but in reality I know that I need chemo to kick this damn cancer out of my body, for good. forever. I gotta belive in that. If you decide against chemo that is fine because it's your choice. I think it's good that you're doing radiation though, it is very effective with lumpectomies. I don't know whether this helped at all but I hope you'll find the right treatment choice for you. Keep me posted on how you're travelling. /Annie

Thanks Tonya, I know it won't necessarily be an easy ride and eating, let alone supplementing, may be tough at times. But anyways, I'm now fully armed with supplements that I'm hoping will provide me with some protection for the chemo side-effects. I think part of my plan is also a placebo effect but don't care if it works nonetheless! -Annie

Well Annie, Today I changed my mind, and I'm starting chemo in a couple of days. Over the past 48 hours a lot has happened such as my daughters year 6 farewell and the sudden realisation that what would happen if I wasn't there for the next major formal or affair? And a call from my breast cancer nurse at a time when I finally fell to pieces about it all and told her just how scared I am. I feel somewhat relieved even though I havent started. I even went looking at nice scarves this evening. Let's hope I don't change my mind again ... I'm prone to that ha ha ha

chemo | BCNA Online Network

13 Replies

anniep
Member
13 years ago
Hi Natalie, the decision was a hard one, I dread the whole idea of the chemo but fear recurrences more... if the benefit was as low as 1-2% I probably wouldn't do it, but after having a good look at research on chemo's longterm benefit I decided it was worth it. As a scientist I believe in evidence based medicine and statistics, even when it's about something as terrifying as chemotherapy. Unlike many other cancers BC is a devious one, can stay dormant and re-emerge years later. I rather do chemo now to kill any stray cancer buggers than find them lurking in my body in years to come, secondaries are always tougher to treat... A couple of months of "suffering" is nothing if it gives me longevity, helps me to hang around to see my son growing up, getting married and having kids. I understand your dilemma, chemo is a tough call.. In a way i hope I could just snap out of this nightmare and not do it, but in reality I know that I need chemo to kick this damn cancer out of my body, for good. forever. I gotta belive in that. If you decide against chemo that is fine because it's your choice. I think it's good that you're doing radiation though, it is very effective with lumpectomies. I don't know whether this helped at all but I hope you'll find the right treatment choice for you. Keep me posted on how you're travelling. /Annie
TonyaM
Member
13 years ago
Chemo is scary at first- I almost did a runner! My poor oncologist didn't have a clue about supplements when I took my bottles in .He's a professor as well. He was ok with it though.Like you,I did my own research.I stopped flaxseed tabs when I started Tamoxifen as there was some controversy about that one. Sometimes with chemo,you are struggling to get a cracker and water down,let alone a supplement.Your body will soon tell you what can pass your lips. Your appetite goes awol and the inside of your mouth feels like fur.I lived off lemonaide iceblocks,lemon cordial,vegie soup and crackers.Good luck Annie and I hope chemo is not too hard on you.

Tonya xx
catcrazy
Member
13 years ago
Hi Annie,

This is Natalie, we had a discussion about not doing chemo. If you dont mind me asking, what swayed your decision. I have said no to chemo and yes to radiation at this stage. My nurse rang me this morning and said they hadnt contacvted me for a week hoping I would have time to think and change my mind. I can honestly say no, I may be starting to doubt this decision. Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks , Natalie xxx

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