Got results yesterday from my second op. Grade 2, 2.3cms, clear margins now and 1 out of 27 lymph nodes infected. (2nd op was to get clear margin and remove more lymph nodes as first op was 1 infected out of 3). Def got to have rads and tamoxifen but got to meet with onc to discuss whether to have chemo or not, what do I do go for chemo or not?
Hi Kinsse
As to have chemo or not I would wait and see what the onc has to say when you see him. I assume he will give you all sorts of stats and percentages of your prognosis with and without chemo it would be then that you can make the decision that is right for you.
It is difficult to decide until you have all the info you need.
Good Luck with whatever you decide to do though
Jill x x x
It’s totally upto you. I know which way I would go given the choice…
Hi Kinsse
You’ll know better once you’ve spoken to the oncologist but I would take everything they offer you - if chemo even gives you a tiny % better prognosis that’s got to be worth it. I have had 3 of my 6 FEC chemo’s and it hasn’t been anywhere near as bad as I feared. Let us know how you get on 
Lynne
kinsse,
I was told that i would need rads/hormone after op but trace found in lead node and they took 9 others all others clear. I agonized over to do or not to do chemo (i felt it was bib n braces approach). Family and friends were split but could see my point as i felt that the trace was a transfer HOWEVER in the end i thought i have got to give it a shot so that i’m around longer and protected better. Was assured by onc that i can drop out any time. I am down 2 fec 3rd on Tuesday coming. It aint easy but it’s nowhere near as bad as i expected the meds given are really good and luckily so far I have had only kindly helpful nurses. I can’t give you any advice everyone of us is different but listen to your onc. and your percentages but the choice will still be yours. Whatever you decide stay in touch with this site there is so much support here, drop into any forum I’m with may buddies it is supportive and kind. big hug Chris x
I was offered chemo if I wanted it, since my results put me in a “grey” area where it wasn’t clear cut whether I should have chemo or not. I decided not to have chemo because of the small improved chance it gave me versus the impact on my life if I had it. Each person has to make their own decision. Some people posting on here will take every medical tool offered them, some don’t. I think the chemo decision is heavily influenced by your age - for younger women it seems common to hit the BC with everything available, for older post-menopausal women it’s not so common. For us poor sods who are stuck in the middle being half-way through menopause on diagnosis, it’s even less clear!
Sarah x
Yup - I would wait until you get the facts from the onc. Remember that each 1% means that they would expect 10 people out of 1,000 to not make it without the chemo. So an additional 2% added onto your prognosis would be the equivalent of 20 people out of 1,000 not making it without the chemo. OK, you’d take the chance that you’d be in the large pot - but just think about those times that you might have bought a lottery ticket! Your chances there are 1 in 14,000,000!!
Obviously it’s a very personal decision and I am sure you will make the right decision for you when faced with all of the facts.
Fingers crossed that the meeting with the onc goes well and hopefully they will be able to help you with the decision-making!
x
You might find it helpful to bounce the options around with a human voice, so I suggest you give the Helpline a ring in the morning. If nothing else they’ll help you formulate the questions you might want to ask your onc when you see him/her.
I’ve just had final FEC today so I’m a bit spaced, and while I thought I’d be doing poisons forever I HAVE managed to get to the end (apart from last lot of SEs to deal with).
It’s a very tough choice, and whatever decision you reach, no-one on here will pressurise you to change your mind as this is YOUR body and YOU are the one in charge. There are people who were faced with the same decision, and people didn’t all make the same choice so you’ll find people who do the same as you eventually do.
Good luck, such a tough choice, but I know what I would have done if I’d had the choice.
Hi there
I’m similar in having a 2.2cm grade 2 as worst (I have bilateral but really like the way they say your prognosis is based on the worst). I wasn’t offered chemo as I have clear nodes, but the more I read the more I think it may have been an option to consider, but as most say here - not lightly.
One thing I did take a bit of time to get my head around regarding the statistics is that percentage recurrence is quite different from percentage mortality. I have something like 2% mortality difference if I have chemo but 8% recurrence, which I guess means that even if it recurs then its not necessarily gonnae kill me. And I think (don’t quote me) that the onc says they go on the mortality so 2% would not be enough for them to recommend chemo at my (old) age of 54.
Good luck with whatever you choose, its not easy for sure.
S