To chemo or not to chemo?
Firstly Im really sorry for this long post. I met with my oncologist for the first time on Thursday and here is what I understand. The surgery I've had is left breast mastectomy + 10 lymph nodes t...
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I think the chemo appointment is absolutley the most daunting. It scares the bejeezus out of everyone I am sure. I walked out of the onc's office and promptly burst into tears and pretty much cried for the next two days straight. I had the same cancer ER + PR+ Her -.
My breast care nurse said, "Just remember, they will tell you every single side effect you can get. It doesn't mean you will get it"
They highly recommended I have chemo + radiation due to lymph node involvement (5) to catch any stray little buggers that might be floating around. Actually, they said I'd be nuts if I didn't. The same as most of us, I decided I wanted to do everything I could to stop it coming back and how shitty I'd be at myself if it did and I hadn't done the whole shabang.
I worked all but the week after the last dose of AC. Had little issues with taxol apart from a weird skin reaction that wasn't even on the list of side effects and is not normal apparently. Still managed to help my husband run the farm and ride my horse, do the shopping and all those everyday things.
Minimal fatigue on both drugs. No problems with mouth ulcers, fingernails, never caught any bugs, even after refusing the neulasta injection after the first time. A bit of nausea for the first couple of days after the AC(good drugs worked) and food tasted bland (lots of salt).
Kept my hair with the cold cap. Minimal loss of eyebrows and lashes. Couldn't even notice with make up.
I did get chemo brain but not too bad just a bit foggy at times.
It is a hard choice when you look at the stats but I think @AllyJay has the best analogy. The numbers look at lot more impressive when you see it like that.
All the best with your decision whichever way you go. XOXO
My breast care nurse said, "Just remember, they will tell you every single side effect you can get. It doesn't mean you will get it"
They highly recommended I have chemo + radiation due to lymph node involvement (5) to catch any stray little buggers that might be floating around. Actually, they said I'd be nuts if I didn't. The same as most of us, I decided I wanted to do everything I could to stop it coming back and how shitty I'd be at myself if it did and I hadn't done the whole shabang.
I worked all but the week after the last dose of AC. Had little issues with taxol apart from a weird skin reaction that wasn't even on the list of side effects and is not normal apparently. Still managed to help my husband run the farm and ride my horse, do the shopping and all those everyday things.
Minimal fatigue on both drugs. No problems with mouth ulcers, fingernails, never caught any bugs, even after refusing the neulasta injection after the first time. A bit of nausea for the first couple of days after the AC(good drugs worked) and food tasted bland (lots of salt).
Kept my hair with the cold cap. Minimal loss of eyebrows and lashes. Couldn't even notice with make up.
I did get chemo brain but not too bad just a bit foggy at times.
It is a hard choice when you look at the stats but I think @AllyJay has the best analogy. The numbers look at lot more impressive when you see it like that.
All the best with your decision whichever way you go. XOXO