Hi @Tasia,
do you absolutely, thoroughly understand your pathology results - the stage and grade of your BC and the risk of not doing chemo? Have you done any genomic assay tests? I absolutely get that even just the word "chemotherapy" is terrifying to some people (myself included - at first). In the initial treatment planning stage, everything is so rushed and not always explained. Your doctors know what they are doing and why they are doing it, they are following best practise protocols.
I baulked when told I was to have chemo - I did the Oncotype DX test at great expense. It came back with the result that chemo was of less than 1% benefit as long as I follow the AI protocols (yucky but bearable - I am now a compliant patient o:) ). BUT, even with that Oncotype test result, I do feel anxious about my decision not to have chemo. If I had understood the big/long term picture better, plus the improvements in medical care and chemo drugs - I might not have resisted.
No one wants to be overtreated - but no one wants to be undertreated either. Please get the science/factual information you need to make an informed decision. Do not rely on gut feelings alone - we are a mess of emotions at diagnosis. Feelings change. It came as a huge surprise to me, when I read on this site, that chemo is not necessarily the horror story of our imaginations. I sit alongside patients getting chemo when I get my Zoladex injections. Some of them drive themselves to/from the Cancer Day Unit, they are able to joke with the nursing staff and me, they are themselves. I'm not saying it's easy - but it's worth it if that's what the experts recommend. They are doing their best for you. Good luck with your appointments. Have a list of questions ready and take a level headed support person with you to take notes or record the appointment on their/your phone.
Best wishes. L xxx
