Hi . I did have mop up chemo after my op although I know that wasn’t the question! It’s a personal decision and hopefully your oncologist will have explained why it’s being recommended and what difference it will make? I see you’ve already had capecitabine with your radiotherapy - the doseage post op tends to be stronger and often combined with oxaliplatin. I won’t lie - there are a lot of side effects - you will probably experience some to a certain degree but it’s impossible to predict which and to what extent. My reasons were
My friend who was recovering from breast cancer told me to throw everything they offered me at it. I knew I had 2 lymph nodes affected both of which were close to the tumour so the oncologist said she wouldn’t be unduly worried if I wasn’t up to chemo (you could maybe check how far away from the tumour your lymph nodes were if that’s what the chemo is for?) however I felt that if I got a reoccurrence then would I always be wishing I’d had the chemo and wondering if it would have prevented it? I know that I have done everything I can to prevent it returning.
If you decide to have the chemo then you will be closely monitored by the nurses and they have pills and potions for a lot of the side effects. You’ll start on the maximum doseage for your height and weight but it is quite common to have this reduced to combat any side effects. I had my doseage reduced after the first 2 sessions as my white cell count was low and then the oxaliplatin was dropped after 6 sessions and I had a further 2 of just capecitabine. There has been a trial since then which proved that 4 sessions was virtually as effective as 8 but with significantly less side effects.
At the end of the day it has to be your decision and one that you’re happy with. No-one can make you have chemo nor can they force you to continue if you give it a try and then decide to stop.
Hope you are able to come to a decision that you’re happy with and can then tick off the last stage
Thank you for that....not sure what to do at present will be having CT and MRI scan beg March to see what treatment did to tumour..then op in April ..so don't know histological outcome after surgery..just read the not nice side effects..and worried about it..still guess will come to that bridge soon enough..then decide. Thank you for reply x
