Hi Hibiscus Tam,  sorry to hear about your diagnosis.  As you have just been diagnosed you are probably in shock and scared right now, which is normal.  Cancer is a scary word.  But like Ed says your chances of beating this are highly in your favor.  The side effects sound scary but you might not get all the side effects and if you do get some, there are tablets to counter act them.  A few months versus many years of a good quality of life sounds reasonable to me.  I went through this in 2013 , lumpectomy, chemo, radiotherapy and tamoxifen etc.  It is tough but it is worth it.  Life is not guaranteed but this is worth taking a chance on the treatment.  Good luck with your decision.  I am on here if you want to chat.  Big hugs.

Lee x

Hi Lee

Thank you.

If i may ask. How long was your treatment and where you able to work or had to give up working during treatment.

My greatest fear is that the chemo will kill me. I do not respond well to pharmaceuticals. I cannot even take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain without my body convulsing with pain. Have tried various pain meds without success. My last lumpectomy, i had no pain control. The imaging radioactive injection prior to surgery cause my body to itch without any visible rash or anything.

For pain i rely of tumeric and ginger. So I really do not know what to do.

I am under pain management team at a major hospital. But as you know the wheels turn very slowly.

Thank you

HTam

Hi Hibiscus Tam,  I was off work for approximately 9 months.  I had a public facing job and didn't want to take the risk of catching infections.  Chemo is scary but the first time you have it, the nurses monitor you so closely and watch for any adverse effects.  It is not painful , I didn't take any pain killers when I had my lumpectomy either.  Maybe you should have a talk to your breast nurse and oncologist and explain the effect that different medications make you feel so they know to be ultra careful and your fear of the chemo killing you.  They do have different types of chemos and tablets that they can change you to if one doesn't suit you.  One of my friends opted for alternative therapies instead of the chemo/radio treatment and unfortunately she passed away.  You also could phone the nurses here on 0808 800 4040 tomorrow and talk it through with them.  I have had a good quality of life since I had my treatment and that has been 12 years.  I am here anytime you want to chat.

Lee x

Hi Hibiscus Tam,  I was off work for approximately 9 months.  I had a public facing job and didn't want to take the risk of catching infections.  Chemo is scary but the first time you have it, the nurses monitor you so closely and watch for any adverse effects.  It is not painful , I didn't take any pain killers when I had my lumpectomy either.  Maybe you should have a talk to your breast nurse and oncologist and explain the effect that different medications make you feel so they know to be ultra careful and your fear of the chemo killing you.  They do have different types of chemos and tablets that they can change you to if one doesn't suit you.  One of my friends opted for alternative therapies instead of the chemo/radio treatment and unfortunately she passed away.  You also could phone the nurses here on 0808 800 4040 tomorrow and talk it through with them.  I have had a good quality of life since I had my treatment and that has been 12 years.  I am here anytime you want to chat.

Lee x