So far so good

Thank you so much for your input ladies. I am still in two minds. Just this journey alone has left me not my "normal" self. I feel like I have been picked up and dropped back down again with parts missing. My libido for one thing. I used to love wearing t shirts and now they have to be baggy ones as I have trouble with half a flat chest and I dont want to wear my sponge boob at home. I think I will name it "spongebob". To think chemo will leave me feeling worse scares me to death and I am such a huge woos. I was     such a baby after my surgery I'll be the death of my family during chemo. But thats not my concern its just is it worth it?  I am thinking its a bit of a lottery and as Tonya has said which ever way I go I may feel i wish I had chose the other. Thanks so much ladies. The comfort I get from this site is not to be underestimated.XX

Thank you so much for your input ladies. I am still in two minds. Just this journey alone has left me not my "normal" self. I feel like I have been picked up and dropped back down again with parts missing. My libido for one thing. I used to love wearing t shirts and now they have to be baggy ones as I have trouble with half a flat chest and I dont want to wear my sponge boob at home. I think I will name it "spongebob". To think chemo will leave me feeling worse scares me to death and I am such a huge woos. I was     such a baby after my surgery I'll be the death of my family during chemo. But thats not my concern its just is it worth it?  I am thinking its a bit of a lottery and as Tonya has said which ever way I go I may feel i wish I had chose the other. Thanks so much ladies. The comfort I get from this site is not to be underestimated.XX

I had to have chemo this time but I have already said that I will definately NOT have it again.  I ended up in isolation for 6 nights as well with no white blood count after my first round of chemo and it appears to be happening again.  Twelve days after my last chemo and I am not well.  Just waiting on my blood test results that my GP took yesterday.  I didn't even get to "talk" with my GP because as soon as she read my temp 37.5 she was off arranging the bloods.  I don't think this old body is set up for chemo treatment.  Yes chemo is really tough on your body - I know it does do a good job as well when it needs to.  I am really peeved off though as I am set to fly out in 6 days - maybe I was too ambitious but I do want to get back to LIVING.    I now might have to look at rearranging my flights so at least I might get to Melbourne to Raelene's 60th.XLeonie

Having been on this journey twice( like Leonie)I can tell that when the doctors let YOU make the decision then you probably don't need it.They have to offer it to cover themselves and also some women will want even 1%extra cover. I had the option of chemo first time around but didn't take it and am not sorry.2nd time around(7yrs later)I was told by 2 doctors I HAD to have it and I did.I am a little sorry that I did because I had a bad time of it and ended up in hospital isolation-no white cells.I shudder to think of the consequences had I not gone to hospital when I did.I know of people who have died from infection due to this.I didn't complete my chemo rounds and surprisingly my onc. was ok with that.He said that Tamoxifen would be more beneficial to me anyway cos my cancer was eostrogen+ve. I have to say that it takes a long time to get your hair,your strength and your life back after chemo. Don't get me wrong,if I had had any lymph nodes affected or evidence that cancer had travelled I would have gone all out with the chemo. You'll just have to go with how you feel at the moment and have no regrets.Either path could easily lead you to wishing you had chosen the other.

                                              Tonya xx

Thought I would tell you my story.  I had a lumpectomy and radiation nearly 5 years ago.  The nodes were clear and the surgeon got a good clear margin.  I was started on Tamoxifen (hormone blocker) after the radiation.  I saw the medical oncologist after the radiation to commence the Tamoxifen (did see him before as well)  I chose not to have chemo.  The medical oncologist could only give me a 1% add on over the 10 years.  I figured that this was not worth going through chemo and all the side effects.  How unlucky I was. Just on 4 years later, I was in the 3% group that the cancer returned in the same place - in a lymph node around the back of the arm. (tumour was full and cells had escaped - no clear margins were achieved)  I had no hesitation in "lining up" for chemo this time.  The radiation oncologist said that I would be cured after treatment (radiation and chemo).  I did start on Arimidex as soon as my diagnosis was confirmed and stopped during chemo.  No doubt after seeing the medical oncologist this week  he will re-commence it again (Yuk, I hate it - too many nasty side effects compared to the Tamoxifen)  I have no regrets about saying No to the chemo last time.  There is no point in What if's.  It was a decision that I made at the time and I stuck with it and was happy with it.  It can only be your decision - just be confident with whatever you choose.XLeonie

Thank you so much for your comment. I will try to take your advice. Once I make a decision I will try to then let it go and get on with my life. It is  a hard decision tho. Once again thanks for your input. You ladies on here are  such a big comfort. Once you get the diagnosis you feel like you are suddenly alone in a dark place then I discovered this site and realised I am not alone. Many thanks Viv xx

Ofcourse different circumstances, but u have a difficult decision to make & both could b regrettable. I would trust the specialist. or seek a second opinion. 

Just remember u will b closely looked at from now on on a regular basis & if anything else happens down the road u will b well looked after, so your chances are already better than they were. 

Good luck! & whatever u decide dont keep worrying about the possible outcomes. Live ur life & b happy with what u decide.