The difficulty of choosing optional treatment

Hi Catherine,

Agonising decision. I had 4 rounds of chemo last year. I  My breast cancer was node negative, stage one but grade 3 aggressive. I got the impression if it had been grade 2 aggressive they may have given me an option about chemo. A couple of specialists I've seen along the way have been surprised I had chemo until they realised it was grade 3.

I know, even after being through chemo, I personally would have done it if Ihad the option. I have young kids too and my personality would never have got past the "what if's". However, I think I definitely would have researched the onco dx test and utilised this test if I could have afforded it. 

In regards to chemo, it's crap but it was nowhere near as awful as I expected. And I've never once regretted it. If they're weighing up giving it to you, it'll be one of their mildest regimes you would expect. Maybe discuss that too. 

And on the subject of having young kids and going through chemo, my eldest was 6. They had no idea of the seriousness of it and shaved their heads too. And given their ages, we had so much support from school and kinder families.

All the best in your decision

Shellie oxox

thanks for your reply Paulan. I totally feel for you. it's so hard to know what the right thing to do is. if we just had a crystal ball.

i'm leaning heavily towards having the chemo just really scared of the side effects. Not about the nausea and hair loss but about the peripheral neuropathy and neutropenic crisis that can happen at day 10.

Will pray for guidance for you and me. xxoo

thanks for your reply Maryrose. I really appreciate it. I had my mind made up to have chemo and started reading about it and got really scared. Not about the nausea and hair loss but about the peripheral neuropathy and neutropenic crisis that can happen at day 10. Just plain old scared that something like that would happen to me. but as you say I don't want to regret not having it.

do you have any longterm side effects from the chemo?

Howdy. My cancer was smallish and contained not in the nodes but grade 3 and hormone receptive also. Chemo was a given but it was a toss up between 4 treatments or 6. Stupid me said ' if i am having 4 you might as well give me 6'. I did question that decision whilst going through my treatment! !  If i were in your shoes and given the choice i would choose chemo. Its an added insurance policy and would hate to be in a position in the future where you wished you had chemo.

Make sure you ask questions of your medical team so that you are comfortable with whatever decision you make.

Maryrose 

thanks so much for replying Mikayla. I am very sorry for your situation. you are in my thoughts and prayers. that's exactly the situation I am trying to avoid and as I have young children I really do not want to have any regrets.

Thanks again. all the best xo

thanks for replying Pauline. Yes it is an agonising decision. Can I ask when you had your diagnosis? and what lifestyle changes you have made that have been helpful?

Catherine xo

okay that's good info to know. the other thing that I was wondering. my surgeon took out 4 lymph nodes and they were all clear.

Do you mind if I ask you how many nodes you had taken out?

that's what is concerning me. how do they actually know if one bad cell has gotten thru the lymph nodes.

Hi Catherine,

I too was diagnosed with a hormone sensitive tumour in 2001 and was told as it was not in my nodes and small and early stage would not require chemo and was given radiation treatment and put on Tamoxifen for 5 years. Last year I was diagnosed with metastatic secondary breast cancer. But at the time was relieved I didn't require chemo. Given my time again I would of had chemo and been on Tamoxifen for 10 years as now recommended. Ultimately it is your choice and your body and you need to do what makes you comfortable in this confusing time.

Wishing you all the best,

Mikayla x

Blood tests showed my ESR levels were on the rise (often seen as an indication of changes to my arthritis status but also bone disorders) coupled with full body bone scan and MRI.