Can anyone give advice please?

Hi everyone! 
I've just had my onco score back this morning (it's 17), so I have a week to decide whether to have chemo or not? I had a lumpectomy at end of January, it was grade 3, 21mm, clear margins & no spread to lymph nodes. 
I'm really scared to go ahead with chemo as I'm pretty much going to write off most of this year if I have it. I've just started training as a vet nurse so don't want to miss so much training. I also can't cope with the idea of losing my hair (it's very long & purple!) and how poorly the whole process will make me. I'm also worried about the impact on family life, and I'm a keen runner and had wanted to do my first marathon this year but I've already missed 5 weeks training time! (Stupid thing to think of I know!)

Does anyone have any thoughts on what to do?

  • Hi pixie try looking at it from the other side, what if thares odd cancer cells floating round your body they could settle anywhere. There to small to be picked up by a scan. Hope i haven't scared you but even 50/50 is it worth it. Good luck whatever you choose..

    Billy 

  • Oh I do know what your going through, its unreal isn't it. I was her2+ grade 2  clear margins and no lymph nodes involved. My onco told me this is a pretty aggressive type and although everything looked good he advised chemo as belt and braces as he couldn't rule out a stray microscopic cell floating around. 

    If you go ahead with chemo you can pretty much write the year off....but what I will say is the time passes quickly...I was just starting out this time time last year, now my hair is growing back thick and fast and life is returning to normal.....

    chat to your family, does the onco advise chemo? It's a real difficult one love....I wish you well in your decision xx

  • My husband thinks I should do anything suggested but understands if I don't. 
    I'm ER+ HER- which they said was good along with the clear nodes etc. I would still have radiotherapy, oestrogen blocking injections & tamoxifen, so I just don't know what to do. 
     

  • Well, the hormone inhibitors and injections ( herceptin)? Is very important...plus rads will defo blast the area good and proper.....chemo really would be belt and braces....added extra insurance if you like. But like you say, it's a big deal and not to be taken lightly, it's not like popping a pill and going to bed to sleep it off. In all honesty if it had been 50/50 for me I think I'd have opted out, but it wasn't and my onco made my mind up for me....I think your decision is way harder... ️ 

    Good luck love x