Hi, Liz.

Don't go beating yourself up about the should've, could've and would've's. It is what it is. Until you're in that position, you have no idea how you will react. You have enough to deal with than focusing on things you can not change.

If you really want to know if chemo is the best treatment in your case, you can always ask for a second opinion. A second opinion is never a bad thing to have. Just ask to speak to another surgeon and they'll be happy to accommodate you. We got second opinions to confirm major treatment decisions if we had the slightest doubts.

Many women cope well with chemo, and not everyone endures the horrors you read about. But the reality is, chemo is no walk in the park and can be tough for some women. You'll usually feel fine for the first two as chemo tends to have an accumulative effect. My wife was fine on her first two. It was the 3rd that she began to really feel the effects.

But good luck whatever you decide and yeah, stop beating yourself up over burying your head in the sand. You aren't the first person to have done that, and won't be the last. Easy to sit here and say we'd run right to the gp, but not everyone does.

Hi Liz

I had six rounds of chemo for breast cancer back in 2016. The anti sickness meds worked for me, chemo is bearable - the worst side effect I had was a terrible taste in my mouth which made eating no fun. The chemo nurses I'm sure - and should you need it,  will be able to put your mind to rest, ease your fears.  Like you I run an online business which I managed to keep going throughout treatment.

All the best

Hi Liz ,I had bilateral mastectomies in September last year ,followed by Chemo from December til March . I felt fine throughout,only fuzzy brain for a few days after chemo ,had strange taste ,like cardboard , when I had the AC , but that went after a few days . We have a small farm and I even carried on with lambing ,did wear gloves this time .

Things have progressed so much ,anything you aren’t happy about ,tell them . I had all the antiemetics ,and I never felt nauseous or sick . Positive thinking now ,good luck xxx