Only been diagnosed a month and already been through it, scans, biopsies, lympectomy, results and more results and this is my situation…was diagnosed with Grade 3 breast cancer and stage 1, a lump which was sized original as just over 2cm but ended up being a 15mm cancerous lump and the surrounding 1cm was abnormal cells, good results from op, surrounding tissue clear of cancer and lymph nodes clear, i am also triple neg. Now a month on i’ve been left with the decision of having chemo? what a decision! my predict for 10 year survival is 80% without chemo and 90% with chemo, which is brill. Got another 3 weeks to make my mind up! Oncologist wants me to go for chemo but said its up to me. She also said going back over 5years, women with my results and predicion wouldn’t be offered chemo! it is a ‘mopping up’ of my insides (if it needs mopping up!) …so confused.
Hi Sha,there is a thread a bit lower down the list “how to make a decision whether to have chemo or not” started by Missmore may be worth having a look at that for some information.
Hi,
I was diagnosed with UDC in April and after surgery results was upgrades from grade 2 to 3. Which left me me borderline got chemo. I had the oncotype Dx test which gave me a a score of 22 (low indermediate risk) so it was left to me re chemo . My risk was 86% without chemo and 90% with chemo. With much sole searching and advice and information from others on this site I decided that I would be more worried if I didn’t have chemo going forward as I want to give my self the best possible chance not to be back here if possible. My fear was the side effects shirt & long term but I have found it no way as scary as I actually imagined and after the first chemo session I have been much more relaxed. Yes after the first session I did suffer from quite severe SE ie mainly aches/pains, no taste, mouth thrush/sores and diarrhoea with severe bloating, However, this time around (2nd) chemo I have been lucky enough to suffer very little - so far only constipation, horrible taste in mouth and some fatigue ( day 6 today) . I have taken advice from the others this time re taking Clarityn ( actually I’m just taking Tesco own make loratadine antihistamines which I started the day before my chemo with my steroids) this seems to worked a treat with the aches/ pains! Even though my Onco said it would make no difference. My onco had also this time given me a steroid tail where by I take just a 2mg each day after the initial ones which has take away that "hit by a bus " feel on day 4. It’s also stopped by fluid retention/ bloating.
So don’t let the fear of side effects stop you they are manageable and chemo is do-able!
Do you know what chemo regime they are suggesting? I’m having TC x4 which seems to be less common than most ladies but my margins and nodes were clear. However, I am ER+++ & PR+++ and HER-ve. So you may have FEC- T .
There are monthly chemo clubs which might help you to make your mind up with loads of good tips and support. Have a look at the Juku 2015 club and there is a new August club for those ladies starting this month. Oh I also got a 2nd option from another onco at the hospital before I decided to go ahead.
Hope you get the right information and support and good luck with making your decision.
Best wishes x
Hi I was the same as you, grade 3 triple negative small cancerous lump. Had the same odds thrown an me but decided to go ahead with the chemo. Had 3 fec and just started docetaxel last week. Fec wasn’t too bad. More problems with nausea and heartburn. Docetaxel a bit harsher as had bone pain and been extremely tired. Everyone is different though with the side effects they get. The reason I decided to go ahead with the chemo was the triple negative factor. Our type of cancer doesn’t respond to hormone therapy like tamoxifen or to herceptin so the only option we have is the chemo and radiotherapy. Don’t know if this will help you with your decision. It certainly was the deciding factor for me. Take care Barbara x