Chemo or Not? And What to Expect from Chemotherapy?

My first round with breast cancer was in 2010 - diagnosed with Invasive Stage 2B, lymph nodes positive, tumor size 2cm (hard to remember all the details now). I had 5 months of chemo - once every three weeks. I did lose my hair - two weeks to the day of the first chemo session. I was prepared with a wig I had already had trimmed to fit my face. I was so thankful I was ready for it. I just went to my hair stylist and had her cut it all off. 

I worked full time during the entire time I was having chemo. I was only "slightly" nauseous maybe once or twice but I took my anti-nausea drugs religously, even set alarms to make sure I didn't miss a dose. I was tired alot but paced myself and got lots of rest. I should have maintained a better exercise program and would have probably felt better. Keeping a positive attitude is critical during this time. Know you are in a battle for your life and stay positive that you are going to win! 

Bless you

JoCee said:

Wow Loriell - it's good to hear from you! Our cases are ever-so similar. I'm curious as to why I was told I would not need radiation, and have added that to my list of questions to ask at my appointment tomorrow.  I'm happy I found this site and very grateful for your response. 

Thanks so much and good luck to you too!

JoCee, you were told you would not need radiation probably because your nodes were clear and you had a mastectomy.  I had radiation because I had a lumpectomy and still had a breast, even tho I had clear nodes, too.  I posted on another thread that according to Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book, 40% of breasts removed by mastectomy have have been shown to have other microscopic areas of cancer at least 2 cm distant from the original site.  If they remove the breast, it's gone.  For those of us who had a lumpectomy, however, 40% of us still might have microscopic cancer elsewhere in the breast (even with clear margins) and radiation will take care of those rogue cells.  Node positive folks typically have radiation even if they had a mastectomy.  Or - at least that's how I understand it.

About chemo, I had 4 cycles of Taxotere and Cytoxin because my oncotype score was 31.  It is very doable.  I took really good care of myself, took all my meds on schedule, and got plenty of rest.  I was a princess.  I was retired, so I could be one.  I could have worked for the first 3 cycles I'm sure, but I'm glad I didn't have to.  For me, it was the right choice, I have no regrets, and I had a relatively easy time.  I threw up once - have no idea why.  I did have lack of appetite, was weak and tired, skin toxicity, flu like symptoms, and was pretty anemic the last cycle.  I also had a "mystery infection" with each and every cycle.  I never had to be hospitalized.  Sounds like I had a lot going on, but I honestly was ok most of the time.

The shot you will get the day after your chemo is likely Neulasta or something similar.  Its job is to build up your white blood cells and can cause bone pain.  I had Neulasta the last 2 cycles (didn't need it for the first 2) and had no bone pain.  So it has a purpose but it can make you miserable for a few days.  I had no side effects that I'm aware of - just felt crappy for a few days.

Best of luck with your treatment decisions.

Suzanne

Hello again,

The reason I would benefit from getting radiation is because although it is not in the lymph I did have vascular invasion in my breast. Basically it was " on the way" to the lymph nodes. When people have vascular invasion the probability of local recurrence is higher. 

Other than the vascular invasion of my breast our stories are very similar. I wish you a lot of luck with this whole, crazy journey! 

(((((Hug )))))) we will be alright!