To Chemo or not to Chemo?

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Hello peeps,
Just got my results after my mastecomy (and reconstruction). All the cancer has been removed from the breast, two small lumps found. They did lymph node sampling (took 5) and found one to be cancerous. I’ll have radiotherapy and will probably be offered chemo. This will be my choice as to whether I have it or not?

Any one else had to make this decision about having chemo or not? I am 30 with no children (would like them in the future when mr right comes along).

Thanks,
Liz x

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Hi Liz,

I had a bi lateral Mastectomy in July and they removed on 17mm Grade 3 lump, they did a sentinel node biopsy and found some cancer. Went back in for auxiliary clearance at end of July and they one found 1 out of 33 to be involved. I am 24 and they said due to various reason they would recomend chemo and rads. Mainly my age and not being Hormone receptive. I went through IVF treatment to freeze embryo’s but could have had eggs done if i had not been in long term relationship. I was kind of given the choice of treatment but personally wanted everything thrown at me to get rid of any traces! Have you met you Oncologist yet, when I met mine he was clear that he recommended chemo and rads after. I went through IVF in Aug and started Chemo on 3rd Sept, I am having 8 doses so until next year. Its not going to bad and I have been back to work between my 1st and 2nd (24th Sept) dose.

So my advice is to take to led from your Oncologist if they think it would be beneficial then I would go for it, but at the end of the day its up to you to weight the kids thing. Hard choice and one i would do with support. The way i looked at it yes it might wipe me out for a few months but it is worth it in the long run.

Good luck and hope this has helped.

al xx

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Hiya Liz,

I was diagnosed in March, age 34. I was told right from the start that I would be having chemo and rads after my mastectomy because of my age. I think the younger you are the more they want to throw at it. (no offence meant at all to any older ladies!). I had my mastectomy a week after diagnosis and started E-CMF chemo in May, due to finish next month.

We don’t yet have children although would dearly love them in the future (fingers and toes crossed!). We thought long and hard about getting some eggs harvested before chemo but for various reasons decided that it wasn’t for us. I’m glad we came to this decision ourselves because it turned out that my tumour was highly hormone receptive and egg harvesting would not have been possible due to the amount of hormones you need to have. As it happens I’ve almost finished my chemo and my periods have continued throughout (hurrah!!).

I was never given the choice whether or not to have chemo, but if I had I would defo have gone for it! I want everything possible to get rid if this little bu**er once and for all! As it happens, for me, having chemo massively improves my prognosis, but had there only been a minimal benefit I believe I would still have gone for it.

Obviously this is entirely up to you, but chemo is very doable. If I can do it then anyone can!

I wish you well as you continue this journey and hope you will keep in touch and let us know what you decide,

Take care,

Kelly
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Thanks ladies,

Your comments have been very helpful and reassuring. My thinking is I’ll take whatever I can get to blast the nasty blighter! Like you Kelly, I decided against egg freezing, my cancer is also hormone receptive and the fertility expert told me the success of egg freezing is very small.

I’ll meet the Oncologist on 8th October to discuss treament. It’s so encouraging to hear you ladies are getting through the treatment. Thanks again for your honesty and advice.

All the best with the rest of the journey.
Liz x

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Hi Liz,

I just wanted to wish you all the best for your appt on the 8th. Do let us know how it goes,

Take care,

Kelly
-x-

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Hi Ladies,

Just wanted to let you know that my Oncologist advised Chemo so the decision was easy for me. It all starts in 3 weeks. This will be followed by 5 weeks of radiotherapy and then the lovely tamoxifen. Just want to get on with it now.

Thanks again,
Liz x

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Hi Liz,

I’m glad to hear the decision was made easy for you, in that your onc advised chemo. As so many others have said, it is tough but very doable! I am due to finish tomorrow, then its rads and the very lovely Tamoxifen for me too, oh and Herceptin!

All the best for when you start chemo in 3 weeks,

Take care,

Kelly
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