Hi All. Hoping there is someone else out there in my position. I had a lumpectomy on 24 September. Histology showed 12mm cancer which has been fully excised, negative in lymph node for metastatic spread. Tumour was triple positive. Signed off by Surgical Consultant on 17 October and had 1st appointment with Oncology on 4 November. As follow up treatment they are offering chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone treatment. The chemotherapy was described as of 'modest benefit' to me in preventing a recurrence and it is my decision as to whether I go ahead with it or not. Initially the doctor said it would be over 5-6 months, but when I said I was leaning towards having it, that became once a week for 12 weeks. The modest benefit appears to be a 2% decrease in the risk. Obviously the chemotherapy comes with full side effects in all their glory and a 4 hour infusion once a week isn't going to give the body any chance of even thinking about any kind of recovery between infusions. Having weighed up all the pros and cons, there don't seem to be many pros, but a more than lengthy list of cons. My next oncology meeting is tomorrow and I have decided against having the chemotherapy.
As I said, just wondering if there is anyone else out there in either the same or similar situation. Or maybe one of the Champions. I know some of you have been offering advice and support for a number of years. This is not my first rodeo on this site, although my first for myself.
I have also never come across weekly infusions before, but maybe it is more common than I realise.
Thank you in advance
G
I had 12 weekly infusions of paclitaxel when a tiny amount of cancer cells were found in one of the sentinel lymph nodes I had removed when I had a lumpectomy. Like you, I was given the choice of whether to have chemo or not. I decided that I wanted to throw everything at to try and prevent a recurrence so went ahead.
Everyone's different but I didn't have any side effects from paclitaxel. I was tired on the day I had it but, on waking the next day, was fine and continued to be fine every day on the lead up to my next infusion.
Prior to the weekly Paclitaxel infusions I'd had 3 cycles of EC which were 3 weeks apart. While on that I did lose my hair and I felt a bit under the weather for the first 10 days, although no sickness, etc, and would then feel okay for the remaining 11 days.
All the best with whatever you decide to do
Anne
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Don't worry Leelaloo you haven't made me anxious - I was already anxious and I think I will feel better when I can have scans just to rule out distant spread. I know it's unlikely with one lymph node but I have seen it happen as it can travel through the blood/chest wall. I just really feel for the unlucky people with stage 4 - hopefully many can live long lives as treatment is getting better and better and cures getting closer. I have cut out alcohol since diagnosis as I used to drink too much wine - hopefully that will help but who even knows. I will try and eat better too and exercise more. You just have to do everything you can. I love the sun too but I think I will cover up more now and use fake tan!! haha. 
Hi Andrea, I now have stage 4 cancer which was spread through the blood. I love my wine and have no plans to cut it out ha ha. 
I have been having treatment for stage 4 for nearly a year and my cancer is now stable so that is good. Even went to Portugal (again more sun) in September this year.
Lee x
