Go for the chemo . I had stage 2 clear lymph nodes apart from micromet cells in one node so had node clearance as well as lumpectomy . 

Just finished 18 weeks of chemo it is not pleasant but do-able . I kept most of my hair thanks to cold cap . Main SE tiredness . 

Now due to start radiotherapy and 10 years of 

letrozole . My view was they would not suggest it if it wasn't helpful . I chose to throw everything 

at it ... 

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply - that's really positive, and helpful.

I would definitely consider the cold cap - if I can handle it.

Wishing you all the best in your recovery x

Hi Caroline, 

My oncotype score came back 25 new grading system apparently 26 upwards has a more substantial benefit , it considers your age too, under 50 we are more likely to be offered it (Im 49). Like yourself I was diagnosed in May, had a lumpectomy and 2 re excisions to clear margins. My tumour was invasive grade 3 ductal carcinoma plus they found high grade dcis during the re excisions, lymph nodes clear. They said I most likely will be offered chemo but as always it was up to me, I did a lot of soul searching before I decided to have it.

I thought about in  years to come if it did come back and I hadn’t had chemo maybe it would be found later than this tumour had and maybe my chances wouldn’t be as good as they are now. I didn’t want to take such a risk and end up regretting not having the chemo. I personally want to give myself the best chance possible as I’ve a family too I want to be here for. So chemo ( and cold cap), mastectomy and Tamoxifen for me it is. Waiting on oncologist appointment atm.

Sorry, I don’t know anything about the injections so can’t help you there..

Hope this has helped a little. Good luck with your decision xx

Linda xx

Hi Linda,

Thank you - it's helped a great deal. Sounds like we are on a similar path, and after 2 nights of sleeping on it I am definitely leaning towards chemo. 

I think this is the first time I've felt really scared (apart from that very first "lump checking" appointment when the ultrasound lady told me it's not looking good - I don't think anything will top that!)

But at the same time, I do know I'm one of the lucky ones and feel very grateful they caught it when they did.

Wishing you all the very best with your treatment and recovery.

Caroline xx

Hi Caroline,

Pleased to have helped, let me know how you get on with whatever you choose to do if you don’t mind, we could end up going through treatment at the same time.

It is scary definitely agree with you, not sure it has really hit me yet what’s ahead but there seems to be a lot of experience and advice on here from ladies in similar situations which I fully intend to tap into when needed!

Best wishes!

Hi Caroline,

I am currently in a very similar position to you except my score was 19 with 16% chance of recurrence outside of the breast.  I too need to choose between 4 rounds of TC Chemo or Taoxifen and the 5 years of zolodex.  

I see you decided on chemo so I was wondering if it had started and how you were doing.

All the best

Suzy

Hi Suzy,

How are you doing? Thanks for getting in touch. It's hard being borderline because the decision is totally in our hands. Strange you should contact me today of all days as tomorrow is my last chemo -  It's gone so quickly!

At the moment I feel great, but then that's probably the work of the steroids! I always take them the day before, the day of and the day after chemo. The first time ever taking them was hilarious, I ended up in a de-cluttering frenzy - if it wasn't nailed down it got chucked out!!

As for the chemo itself, well the first one knocked me for six but the next 2 really weren't that bad.

I know everyone is different and I may have got off lightly but in all honesty, most people I have spoken to have said the same - it's not as bad as they thought it would be. 

Just before chemo I had an assessment and sort of "chemo induction" and my lovely nurse gave me a great piece of advice which is not to go into it assuming the worst because it might not happen, and to be fair he was pretty spot on. 

I had absolutely no sickness or upset tummy, but on the first one, which kicked in on the Friday (2 days after - I think as soon as the steroids wear off) was harsh, and over the weekend I was in quite alot of pain. It's the one side effect I didn't know much about, and it doesn't happen to everyone. I think I could have managed it much better with pain relief but I wasn't sure what to do. In the end I found some codene left over from from the surgery and that helped alot!

I chose not to cold cap and my hair fell out very quickly, when it started it was quite traumatic and I regretted not trying the cap, but in fairness it was the shedding that upset me and I think that would have happened either way even if not as much. Once I got my head shaved, by the guy who fitted my wig, I felt quite empowered and I have had alot of fun with scarves and turbans!

I've had a couple of wierd rashes, and sore mouth on rounds 1 and 2, but I started taking a supplement for the immune system and that seems to have stopped it in it's tracks as it was fine in round 3.

The main side effect is fatigue, but lounging in bed watching box sets on the worst couple of days isn't so bad. I just chose to embrace it. Unfortunately I also chose to embrace cakes and biscuits so weight's gone up a bit but not much, and I try and do a bit of excercise on the good days!

I can tell it's taken it out of me a bit as the steroids just put me on upbeat now rather than hyper.

Fingers crossed the last one is as manageable. One thing though - the menopause has kicked in. I had 1 period after the first round (worst one ever) and nothing since - thought I knew what a hot flash was until they kicked in last weekend - but the thing is - this was going to happen anyway with the Zoladex because whether I like it or not menopause is part of the treatment.

Sorry for such a long reply - bet you wish you never asked now!! 

Wishing you all the very best with your decision and your treatment, please feel free to contact me at any time.

Caroline x

Hi Caroline,

Thanks so much for replying so quickly and comprehensively! Felt really uplifted reading it. I am literally on my way to the oncologist with my million questions! 
 

I've been doing lots of research and basically I narrowed it down to whether I do chemo and go bald or zolodex and get fat!!

What made you go down the chemo route?

Good luck with your last chemo! What an achievement!

Suzy x

Hi Suzy,

So pleased I can be of help! I was exactly where you are 3 months ago and you summed up my entire train of thought - bald or fat!

You will read on various forums that alot of women have had amazing success with the cold cap though, but I really don't mind being bald, and great not to have to shave my legs for a while (or anything else haha!).

Also, my brows and lashes are clinging on for dear life bless them- one more round - so let's see!

Decision wise it was down to this - Both Chemo and Zoladex will put me in menopause so that's one job taken care of. However, Zoladex will not clear up any random cells that may have gone walkabout. Yes, there were only a few that strayed into the nodes, but who's to know whether there were a few more that were quicker on their toes.

I realised then that I was far more afraid of regretting not having chemo than I was of regretting having it, and I can tell you hand on heart I have absolutely no regrets.

Also, I took advantage of all the support on offer - My Macmillan lady has been nothing short of incredible. Prior to chemo I pretty much kept myself to myself but once I had met with her I've done every class and therapy I could find the time and energy for- and met some beautiful people along the way! I'm not sure where in the country you are, but I'm sure there will be things you can take advantage of - even if you choose not to have chemo because let's face it, it's a bumpy road either way.

Good luck today and keep in touch if you want to :)

Caroline x

Hi Caroline,

How are things?

Suzy x