Chemotherapy

dmaikui
dmaikui Member Posts: 13 Member

Hello: I had HER2+ breast cancer in 2012, I had heavy chemotherapy, surgery (they removed 36 lympnodes and lumpectomy) and radiation. 2024 breast cancer back Triple Negative same breast. Just had a mastectomy. Now my oncologist wants me to do heavy chemotherapy again. I declined. Am I crazy to decline chemotherapy again? Has anyone decided not to go through chemotherapy again? She told me if I don't and it comes back to my liver or bones, it would be stage 4 and incurable.

Comments

  • RocDocVic
    RocDocVic Member Posts: 137 Member

    She's right. It may metastasize and then you're never "cured". I'd ask what are the chances for it to recurr, and what are the chances for it to metastasize under both scenarios- with and without chemotherapy. What is the overall survival rates with and without the chemo treatment? Which chemo drugs were proposed?

  • dmaikui
    dmaikui Member Posts: 13 Member

    There two different options I can choose from.

  • RocDocVic
    RocDocVic Member Posts: 137 Member

    I don't know about the 1st one because I did the 2nd one for 6 cycles every 3 weeks. It's hard, but 4 cycles is very doable. The shot you get the day after to support your white blood cells is hard and can cause some pain in your bones and lower legs. I took Claritin once a day and Benadryl at night. I also took Ibuprofen.

  • Msquare
    Msquare Member Posts: 2 Member

    Triple neg is harder to treat overall…& the best treatment available is chemo.

    Are you crazy to decline? Absolutely not…. I had days I felt dying was easier than the treatment. Then I come back to my senses, and realize that dying is far worst outcome (I am in my 30s). Bottom line, treatment is hard…

    I guess the real question is, how bad do you want to live?

  • Mimilupe62
    Mimilupe62 Member Posts: 1 *

    Get a second opinion. I think it would help you decide and feel better about it. I have thought of that question many times. Would I want to do it again? No I wouldn't want to! I hated it also but do I want to live? Yes! I am 62 yrs old and you are 30 my dear. You have so many adventures ahead of you.....