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gurneys's avatar
gurneys
Member
10 years ago

Choosing my treatment

Hi, on New Year's Eve I found a lump in breast. Since then, I have been diagnosed with early breast cancer and have had the lump removed through breast conserving surgery. Surgery went well - clear margin and no sign of the cancer in 8 lymph nodes. The cancer was diagnosed as triple negative which means chemo and radio coming up.

So I have just had my first oncologist appointment and just when I thought I had my head wrapped around it all, the appointment has left me with more confusion. She has offered me two choices for chemo. Four rounds of TC (3 months) or 3 rounds of FEC and 3 rounds of TC (4.5 months) for which I will need my heart tested first.

Has anyone else been given a choice? What influenced your decision? Anyone else have these combinations?

I was also told chemo has the possibility of leading to leukemia - small possibility but still a possibility. This has thrown me a bit.

She has also offered the option of using one of those head cooling caps to reduce hair loss. She said it would be quite effective with the first option, not as effective with the second option. Has anyone else used one of these? What was your experience?

I am 43 years old and a full time working mum of two young girls aged 5 and 3. I have a long road ahead of me yet.

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  • mum2jj's avatar
    mum2jj
    Member
    10 years ago

    I've done both. They will usually refer you to a cardiologist to check out your heart first, at least they did with me. I feel your pain. Wishing you peace with your decisions. 

    Paula xxx

  • gurneys's avatar
    gurneys
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Paula

    Yeah, hair loss isn't really an issue for me. I thought I'd try the cooling cap thing but if it doesn't work or I hate the feel of it, so be it.

    You are right about choosing the treatment with the best possible outcome and my immediate choice of treatment was the one that improved the chances of the cancer not recurring (FEC/T). But then it was explained that that treatment carried the risk of causing long term heart damage.

    So the choice is, play it safer with four rounds of TC but slightly greater chance of cancer recurring or choose the FEC/T course with the risk of causing heart damage but improving my chances of the cancer not recurring.

    I think my brain is going to explode.

  • gurneys's avatar
    gurneys
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thanks Yvette! It would be so much easier if someone just said "yep, this is what we're doing".

  • mum2jj's avatar
    mum2jj
    Member
    10 years ago

    So many decisions.  I was never given a choice, I met with my oncologist and he planned my treatment around what was best for TNBC at the time. I think maybe asking for reasons for the choice?  I would be basing my choices on whatever will give you the best possible outcome in the long run. Maybe that will help you.    I was always of the opinion, leave no stone unturned.  This may sound harsh but the hair loss thing would be the consideration that I would consider least.  We are after survival here.  It is not great losing your hair (I did it twice) but it does grow back and even though it is sad and a bit traumatic it may be a necessary evil.  Having said that, if the treatment path you take has a chance of you not losing your hair then that is great to.  At the end of the day it is about making a list of pros and cons and using that to help you.

     

    I wish you luck.

    Paula xx

  • Yvette66's avatar
    Yvette66
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Gurneys:  

    I wasn't given a choice by my Oncologist.  He simply told me what I needed.  I like that he took charge and was confident in his choice of treatment.  I should add that my husband is a doctor so even when I am given a choice, I have a lot of help.  I don't know what I would do with all this information if I didn't have him.  You may be best getting a second opinion to see if someone else can offer you a clear path forward.

    Unfortunately, TNBC comes with a high rate of occurrence and getting the appropriate chemotherapy is of utmost importance.  I would not be happy having to make a decision myself.  I would really want someone driving the best plan forward on my behalf.  

    While I am triple negative, I am having neoadjuvant treatment (chemo before surgery) so it is a bit of a different approach.  I have had four rounds of AC and am currently doing 12 weekly rounds of PC.  I will then have surgery and radiation.  

    You may wish to check in with breastcancer dot org as the TN discussion boards are quite active and current.

    Good luck to you!  I hope you get some clarity on all of this as a good plan can give you some much needed peace of mind.

    Yvette