Hello! I’m new to the forums, but have read them in the past few months. I live in the United States, but prefer to read what doctors prescribe in England. I SO need advice! I was diagnosed with Stage 1(no lymph node involvement) Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in March. It took me a while to realize it was for real and I finally had a lumpectomy a month later. My Stage 1 tumor was Grade 3, which my doctor says is most aggressive. It had now been a month since surgery and I just received my MammaPrint test back…it said I have high risk for recurrence. My oncologist is insisting I do 4 rounds of chemo, radiation and then Tamoxifen. I’m skeptical of chemo because a) I don’t think I can survive it ( I weigh 103 lbs at 5’5" already, and have anemia), b) I’m worried of long-term other problems chemo will create and c)doctors can’t really guarantee anything even though they will kill every living cell in my body.
I’m wondering if anyone on this board had a similar situation and how they handled it. Thank you so much everyone!
Hi Lina - welcome to the Yookay club! Regarding chemo, it really isn’t so bad. I’m in the middle of it at the moment, and it’s no worse than having a tummy bug for the first week of the three-week cycle, though it can be very tiring - I’m sleeping for England! I also had a grade 3, though mine had spread to one lymph node - the thing with a grade 3 is that it’s more aggressive and more likely to spread quickly, but because of that it’s also more susceptible to chemo.
If you’re stage 1, it’s even better because it’s small and hasn’t spread yet - with chemo, rads etc you have a really good chance of virtually 100% recovery. No, they can’t guarantee recovery - they never do. But you can be bludddy sure that the risks of long-term problems from chemo are a good deal smaller than the long-term risks of not having chemo. Build yourself up with lots of nourishing food - I’m currently addicted to Smoothies - and you’ll be fine.
Hi Lina,
I am from Canada and on this site as well as I find it informative. I am 46 prementopausal with the biggest tumor 2cm Invasive Ductal Carcinoma , with a 20% invasive componet, grade 2, in situ component DCIS, and positive for estrogen and progesterone tested high. None of the ten lymp nodes showed any involvement. Oncotype testing showed intermediate risk. I had a mastectomy due to 2 tumors showing.
Chemo was ordered AC Taxol. 4 rounds every 3 weeks (1st round is cyclophosphamide (Brand name is Adriamycin) and doxorubicin (Brand name is Cytoxan) (AC is derived from the brand names), 2nd round was Paclitaxel (brand name Taxol)
The first round I suffered from mostly constipation problems. My white cells count went down and I had to learn to self inject to keep my my white cell count. I’ve learned you do what ever you have to and you cross bridges as you get there. Chemo really isnt all that bad. First few days are not bad, then you have 4 or 5 days down days and persue on. Its like having a flu and feeling lack of energy. Usually its down 10 days and up 10 days.
Every one reacts differently. You really don’t know how you will react till you try. If its bad your onco will stop if necessary. I had chemo put off 3 times due to white cell count being low.
Chemo will remove any lingering cancer cells (chest wall excetra)
The 10 up days I go golfing, get out with friends, walk, lift weights. So really its not that bad. Long term pain for long term gain.
Im more worreid about the tamoxifen …lol You must have tested positive for estrogen. Your cancer liked your estrogen.
Good luck with your decision.