to chemo or not to chemo?

Anna, there's no right or wrong answer here. You have to look inside yourself, and answer the following questions: Am I a worrier, or do I see the glass as half full? Do I do well with physical challenges, or is pain and discomfort VERY bothersome to me? Am I a "woulda, shoulda, coulda" type person, or do I believe in doing your best, and then moving forward without recriminations? Chemo is difficult, no doubt about it. And it'll reduce your risk for recurrence by a certain percentage... probably a low percentage, in your case. Do you feel lucky? If you don't do chemo and you have a recurrence, how will you handle it, emotionally? Lots of questions here - and only you can answer them. It wiull help to talk this out with a friend. Best of luck - PJH

hello anna

i am in your same shoes right now i had a mas on 7-11 stage 1 also had the same test done and i also am in the gray area i definitely will do hormonal but the chemo is not for sure. you could try to get a second opinion as i am also ask your doctor to give you your recurrance score and the statistic for chemo and without it. also search your heart before you decide so that you can have peace with whatever you decide.

Hi Anna,

I had to make the same decision 6 years ago and it is a very tough personal choice.  Your current age is also something to consider.  I was 49 at diagnosis of Stage 2, had the bilateral mastectomy and got 3 different opinions about chemo.  All 3 oncologists said I should definitely have chemo but they all had different drugs to offer.  They believed it was best to "hit it early and hit it hard" so I chose to do the chemo (middle of the road option).

Everyone reacts differently to chemo and it was no picnic, but for me it was do-able.  I managed to work thru most of it thanks to an understanding and flexible boss.  Some people tell me I didn't need to do it but I am a worrier and wanted to do everything I could to reduce risk of reoccurence (although it is always there to some degree).

And as the other wise women have said, once you make your decision please try not to second-guess it -- that's just torture you don't need.  Good luck and best wishes to you!

Cheryl

Hi.. my bilateral mastectomy was 5-2008.. stage one.. oncotype 8..so no chemo, although the decision still haunts me... in the gray area is currently still being studied..so i guess i would ask low gray, or high gray.. and I would definitely get anothr opinion.. I got 4.. I don't know where you live, but if you are by a big city with a reasearch hospital.. that may be a good opinion to get.. they could put you in a study..and they watch you much closer... I am in a study now for the implants I will receive next month..do you have any other pre existing conditions.. heart.. diabetes etc..all go in the pot for decision.. my question is how gray is gray

Hi Anna - I can see where you're coming from.  i'm in the same boat, though I don't know about my oncotype, and will have to ask for the test.  My concern is that 3 years ago when I was first diagnosed I went through a mastectomy and chemo - then while I was having reconstruction earlier this year my plastic surgeon found that I has suspicious scar tissue that tested positive for cancer.  I had the tumor from my chest wall removed and did 31 sessions of radiation.  As you may have heard, some forms of chemo can only be taken once.  I did the AC combo the first time, which is hard on your heart.  This time the doctor is recommending a taxol based combo which I have read can be hard on your liver.  This brings me a lot of concern, as my mother died 2 years ago from liver failure - she was not a drinker, and we're not totally sure how it happened, and so sudden to top it off (she was dx in Feb. and passed away in July).  Because of this, and the fact that I do take various meds and have the occasional drink (like one or two a week if even that) I worry about the effects this chemo drug would be on my liver and if the benefits out weigh the risks.

Right now I am waiting to talk with another medical oncologist to see what he says.  My husband supports me on the liver thing, but I'm not sure yet how he would feel if I choose not to do chemo as both his father and grandfather died from cancer.  I'm worried he'll see it as me giving up, which is not true.  I'm only 34 and my original cancer was only a stage IIa - and even with a recurrence, it still had not spread.....so I don't beleive I'm anywhere near the end of the road.  I understand your struggle and the conflicts it brings - but as everyone has said, only you can decide your fate.

My advice is to gather all your info, get the facts, educate yourself about the drug, it's effects, and so forth then go from there.  Most doctors are going to push it regardless of it's need.  Cancer is a billion dollar industry and this is how they make their money.  I know from my past experiences, chemo ran upwards of $1000 a pop (plus "other" fees) and even though your insurance will cover this for you and you're not paying out of pocket, the doc is still making quite a bit off of you as a patient.  So you do what you think is best for you and not for your doctor's bank account - because you are the one who has to live with your decisions and regrets, not him.

Best of luck to you!

Angi

HI Girls 

Thanks for all of the good advice about to chemo or not to chemo.  I met with another oncologist today that I asked whether or not he would give the same advice to his mother, sister, daughter or wife and his answer was the same.  He advised me not to take chemo.  I admitted that I was looking for peace that I may never find and he responded by saying that my peace with this does not lie in chemo but in my spirituality, with surrounding myself with my support system and living my life.  He reminded me that I am entered into two studies where I will be checked monthly for the next 5 years more so than any other cancer patient.  He ended with telling me that if I were his wife and I wanted to have chemo that he would tie me to a chair and wrap the rope around 1000 times so I couldn't escape to have the treatment.  He really does not believe this is the right decision for my type of cancer even though I am in the gray area.  He did respect me enough to ask me to wait 6 weeks and to not seek a 4th opinion that I would definitely find some oncologist that would give me chemo if I wanted it, but that he would be the one to give it to me if I chose to ultimately go that route.  I really like this guy and feel I could trust him. So I have decided to wait the 6 weeks and weigh my options and go from there.  I am taking arimidex and I will be on bisophosphinate (iv form)   Thank you for all of your support and answers, they helped me to ask myself some serious questions.  I will let you all know what I decide to do.

Anna...so proud of you...The bisophosphinate study is quite a commmittment with it's own side effects..great.. I wasn't as brave.. your oncologists sounds wonderful..supportive and smart..tell him his words helped me!! good luck. good luck with reconstruction.. we seem to be on a similar timeline..( I just had my last fill)