Hiya! I’ve got hormone positive stage 2. I was always told I would have one big blast of chemo just to make sure after my lumpectomy and lymph node removal. But as it turns out it spread to my lymph nodes so I’m now facing a few months of chemo before radiotherapy. 

I would say it’s completely up to you. Doesnt seem much difference in odds really does it. But it does give that little extra chance.

i think for me that little extra chance would be worth going through the chemo. But then again I’m the one that just nods my head and goes along with what they want me to ha.

sorry I’ve not been much help and waffled a bit. I hope you’re feeling well just now though xxx

Thanks for your reply Lesley .After initially thinking I won't go for chemo I am now thinking I will. Because if I don't I think I will always be wondering if I should have and probably won't just get on with my life and worry more about it returning.  I think you will always think it could return but if it did and I'd had the chemo at least I would know I've done all that was possible to try and stop it. I'm the same as you would just go along with what they recommend but in my case they are leaving it to me to decide. I wish they would have made the decision for me.

Wishing you all the best for a full recovery xx

HI Dawny12.

I also have triple negative breast cancer stage3, diagnosed in July, but mine has spread to my lymph nodes in my chest, neck, collarbone and arm. My offer of treatment is very different as its management of the cancer rather than cure. I have no genetic mutations, and every trial that has been offered has been snatched away at the last hurdle as I don’t meet certain criteria. No op or radio for me either.

I am currently on my second cocktail of chemo EC. The first 3 cycles of taxol and carbo were unsuccessful. They stopped all treatment and it took 6 weeks For them to decide what to do next. I was in turmoil. I would of given anything for more chemo.  So I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this combination of EC does the job intended.

11 years ago, at age 29 I was diagnosed with stage 4 Bowel cancer. Three weeks after diagnosis I had the tumour removed and a resection of my bowel. Further tests showed it had spread to several of the lymph nodes that were removed.  At first they were not going to offer Chemo as they were pretty certain the op had done the job, but they had a change of heart, because of my age. It was my decision if I had it or not and I am so glad I did. It was only 6 months and to be honest, it wasn’t all that bad. Each day I reminded myself that I was nearer to the end of treatment and it got me through.

Although I have cancer again, it is a separate cancer to that of my earlier Bowel Cancer and not a recurrence of it. I really do believe that if I hadn’t of opted for the chemo, I wouldn’t be here now.

You may think its only 4%, but 4% is 4% more than you would have if you didn’t. They can help you with side effects and reduce the amount of chemo on each cycle so you tolerate it better. 

I wish you all the best for what ever you decide. Take care x

Hi liliy96

thanks for replying to my post. Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. There are so many different variations ,treatments and outcomes. Over the weekend I have decided to opt for the chemo and see the doctor on Wednesday. I wish you all the very best with your treatment and hope it works well for you. Thank you again for helping me come to my decision xx

Hi Dawny12.

i am pleased that you have been able to come to a decision.

It is so hard to know what the right thing to do is in these circumstances. I happily go into the consultants room and just agree with everything they say. And then when I get home wish I had questioned their decisions.

if you go ahead with the chemo and are experiencing some side effects, no matter how small, don’t suffer in silence. Tell the chemo nurses or consultants. They are there to help you be as comfortable as possible in your journey. 

I wish you the very best in the next stage of your recovery.

Take good care of yourself x

I am in exactly the same position. I have had a lumpectomy and again not spread. I see the oncologist tomorrow so will give you an update. At the moment I think the extra 4% is not worth having chemo but will go for radiation.

In the end I decided to go for the chemo and have just had my 5 th session 9 days ago-. I won't say it has been easy far from it. After the first session I ended up in hospital for 10 days with a high temperature but they never found out what caused it.  Sessions 2 and 3 weren't as bad  session 4 I had no energy. Session 5 have a chest infection they are treating with antibiotics. Will go for my last chemo on 12 th March. It's all doable but not easy at least it hasn't beeen for me I know everyone reacts differently. It was a hard decision to make as to go for the chemo or not. I just thought in the end if I go for it then I've given it my best shot and if it comes back I couldn't have done any more. Whereas if I'd just gone for radiation and it came back I would have been thinking all the time I should have had the chemo. My husband thought statistically the extra 4% wasn't worth having chemo but in the end it was my deci. Good luck tomorrow wishing you all the very best with your treatment. Xx

Thank you for that and good luck with your last session. Did you lose your hair or go for the cold cap?

Tried the cold cap first session but hair fell out . My chemo nurse said it works with about 50% x