Starting chemo. . .

Hi

I've noticed no one as replied yet , so hoping I bump this to the top of the thread for you. So more people can comment. 

Not sure what your test results mean , whether that's a yes or no to you needing chemo. 

I started chemo in march . My chemo cocktail is 3 x ec and then 3 x t . I had my 2nd cycle of ec last week. The side effects I've had have been minimal the worst as been constipation but the care team are very good and prescribe medicine to help. If you need chemo get yourself a diary to write down any side effects you may have and to keep a record of your temperature. The onco will ask you what side effects you've had. My chemo is to mop up any stray cells that's lurking around after surgery. I had the option not to go ahead with chemo but my onco said to me if you opted for no chemo how would you feel if in 5 years time you was sat in front of me and you had secondary cancer elsewhere ? ( she told me it was rare to come back in the breast ) like lungs or liver or bones ? My answer was I'd be devastated. So I opted for the chemo route . To prolong my life and give me a better chance of killing the cancer so it doesnt return. I had to give myself the best outcome possible as at 47 I thought I was to young to risk a secondary elsewhere. Had I been older I may of chosen a different route. 

I hope this helps in your decision making. You have to do what's best for you. But I've found cheno not as scary as I had imagined. As for the virus at the moment yes its terrifying but youd also be vulnerable with just a common cold. 

Good luck and keep posting , if no further replies happen can i suggest you post in the main breast cancer group as it's a little busier. 

Take care 

Julie x

Hi 

That is a tough Oncotype score to get as it places you bang slap in the middle of the Intermediate category and this is where they mostly leave the chemotherapy decision up to you :-/

Know the thought of facing chemo can be scary and full of horror stories (thanks to the media) OK, chemo can be a rocky road some days but there are loads of ladies in the main breast group who have bit the bullet and come out the other side happy they did all they  can to vastly reduce the risk.

Big question is how would you feel about not having chemo and your cancer came back within a few years with recurrence or even more scary a secondary somewhere ?

There is this Life after BC discussion you can check out here from quite a few members who are back in the sunshine.

Hope this is of some help to get your head around it all, G n' J

Hi,

I am waiting for my Oncotype test results. I have had a sleepless night thinking about chemo and what scares me about it and what will scare me if I don’t have it. I personally think that I would rather do this battle now when I am in control and in a position to beat it for good rather than be faced with a possible bigger battle later on. 
I really don’t want to feel ill or loose my hair but I want to live long.

sending a hug  

Claire x

HI Claire

i have just finished my last chemo session. My oncotype result came back right in the middle of chemo being advised and not required so I opted to have it. My consultant agreed because of my age (31) I had the exact same thoughts as you about facing it now and knowing I’ve done all I can. I know everyone reacts differently but it honestly wasn’t as bad as I thought. I have lost some hair but it’s more thinner than lost completely. I did opt for the cold cap. 
I’ve now got my first radiotherapy appointment next week!

Good luck with your results! 

Becky x

Should of said my oncotype result was 24 also! x

Hi Becky, what was your score if you don't mind sharing?

Hi, I scored 24. My main deciding factor was how would I cope if I chose not to have chemo and it came back. My oncologist told me before I made my decision that if I went for chemo it would be 4 x sessions, one every 3 weeks so I knew exactly what I was going to have x