Scared of chemo and undecided what to do

My oncotypeDX score was 28. I am 76 but otherwise fit and healthy and not on any previous medications I was recommended to have chemo and have just had my first session on Tuesday. 

I’m otherwise fit and healthy too. Did they say how many sessions you would need? How was it? Hope you get through all of this ok x

I am having 6 sessions at 3 week intervals. The first one was quite a long day as I had a TIVAD fitted but the chemo itself only took about an hour. I am a bit more tired than usual but still up and about Doing a few short walks and some cooking and gardening. 

Hi, I was 51 and post menopausal when I was diagnosed and I had chemo to shrink my lump before surgery, so no choice for me. I worked throughout my treatment, but luckily I can work from home and control my diary with a high level of flexibility. It was tough, but doable and I know I was lucky with manageable side effects.

I know there's a lot of fear snd concern, understandably (and I was terrified) so I just wanted to give you another perspective. I blogged throughout, this one is about chemo Chemo blog link

Best wishes for ylur appointment and decision. 

Hi Sunflower65,

I’m just a couple of years older than you and in pretty good general health. I was diagnosed last Sep/Oct, Stage 1, grade 3, HER2+. I’ve had the lumps removed and am just coming to the end of my chemo - I’ve got a week of radiotherapy booked in before Easter.

I completely take your point about work, but my advice would be to prioritise your long-term well being. Do whatever you can to improve your chances of being healthy in the long term - even if that means taking more time off work now. You’re only young!!

I’d hope that your employer would be supportive but my own experience on that front has been pretty poor.

The chemo is not a lot of fun, but neither is it anywhere near as awful as I thought it might be. Everyone reacts to the drugs differently. I’ve had 11/12 weekly Paclitaxel, with Trastuzumab injections every 3 weeks which will go on for the rest of this year. Also some Zoledronic Acid which will be every 6 months for 3 years.

The main side effect is lack of energy, and I’ve definitely felt the cumulative effect in these last couple of weeks. Most of my hair has fallen out so I’ve now got a silver buzz cut but honestly it doesn’t feel like a big deal.

Good luck with whatever you decide - and just talk to your oncologist. They've seen so many people with cancer and are there to help you.

Hi Susan, thank you for your reply. From the answers I have seen on here it looks like I will need chemo. I am scared and it’s only natural to feel that way but like you say I have to think of long term health. I will look into getting some sort of financial help whether it’s pip or another benefit that will top up my income, surely we must get help in these situations. I am never off sick normally so this is another thing that gets me down sometimes. I’m determined to fight this through no matter what. 
I hope all goes well with your journey and good health comes your way x

I've had chemotherapy twice.  The first time I was 66.  I had 6 three weekly sessions of EC chemotherapy, then radiotherapy and some Herceptin injections.  I was fine.  No side effects except tiredness.  I did lots of walking all through my treatment.  But we are all different.  I was retired so didn't have to think about work.  But I probably could have worked, maybe with a day or two off after each session of chemotherapy. You have to remember though, that your immunity will be low, so you shouldn't be with crowds of people, or anyone with an infection!  I went to Prague about 7 weeks after finishing treatment, and I was fine.  I lost all my hair but I loved my wig!

The second time I had chemotherapy the tiredness was bad, but I am 9 years older and I had 12 weekly sessions of paclitaxel.  I finished chemo 4 weeks ago and I am still getting tiredness and I am unsteady on my feet.  But I can walk 2 miles now so I am gradually regaining my strength. But it just shows that each type of chemo is different, and age plays a part.  Also I have no underlying health problems!  Good luck with your decision.  Best wishes! xxx

Hi sunflower, sorry you find yourself here. My daughter had 22 chemo cycles in all, 3 different types. There's no denying it's tough and many side effects are cumulative. But she added up her time off work the other day - in 20 months, having had 22 chemos, 3 surgeries and 15 sessions of radiotherapy, she had a total of 8 weeks off work - a couple of whole weeks, after surgery and when radiotherapy was finished, and two days off after most chemos. She was able to work at home when she felt commuting was too much of an ask. I know she would say it was hard but doable - no regrets and she would do it again if she had to. 

Best of luck with your treatment - you can do it . xxx

Hi Susan,  sorry to hear about your diagnosis.  I had stage 3 breast cancer in 2012 and had lumpectomy, chemo, radiotherapy and then tamoxifen/letrazole for 5 years, I was 47.  Unfortunately my cancer came back last year.  You can apply for PIP and still be working and it is not a taxable benefit.  You can go on gov.uk website and do a benefit calculation on Entitledto and it will tell you if you are entitled to any benefits.  I work for DWP so can help if you need it.  Good luck on your journey.

Lee x

1. Hi Lee, first of all sorry to hear your cancer came back, another one of my worries if same happens to me but I try not to think about it, live for the here and now. I have applied for pip and it’s in the process, not sure how much I will get. I have also heard about ESA (employment support allowance) wether you can claim that too if I don’t get enough from pip or if I can claim that instead if I get refused pip, have heard that some cancer patients have been refused it, god knows why. 
   Hope all goes well with you and your journey too, sorry you have to go through it again. 
   Sue x