Decision Time

Hi Samantha,

My diagnosis was similar to yours - smallish lump (18mm), clear margins, no lymph node involvement - but I am 56 (55 at time of diagnosis)! I decided on a bilateral mastectomy as I am a real worrier and I didn't want to spend the rest of my life walking around feeling my left breast for other lumps. I also was recommended significant chemo - 3 rounds of FEC and 3 rounds of Docetaxel, but no radiotherapy as I didn't have any breast tissue left and no lymph node involvement. I had the FEC, one round of the D then reacted so badly ended up with 6 weekly cycles of Taxol instead. As I understand it, AC is a valid alternative to FEC and weekly Taxol is just as effective as 3-weekly Docetaxel. I am just recovering now and getting stronger each day.  I took The oncologist's advice and hit it with everything although it was really tough, physically. I also wanted to be able to know that I had done everything in my power to prevent a recurrence. If it does recur, I know that this is just bad luck, not because I wimped out on treatment. Having said that, everyone is individual and has to do the right thing for them. The really tough thing about all this is that there are no absolutes - no right or wrong, just what works for you and seems to be the right decision on the day, with all the information you have at the time. Not sure about costs in the public system - I went private and after I paid my excess ($250) once in a year, all the chemo treatments were covered. That is because they admit you to hospital for it, although you are only there for a few hours. I would have paid $50 - $100 for additional meds to cope with the nausea and other issues, but that is it.

Be guided by your instinct and advice from the Onc - they have seen it all before and know what to do.

Hope you fare well. Look after yourself.

Alison