To Chemo or not to Chemo that's the ?

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rodripa9
rodripa9 Member Posts: 28
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
hello all! i'm writing because my sister underwent a lumpectomy 2 months ago. she was stage 1, node neg, and ER/PR+. They got clean lines on the tumor & told her no chemo should be necessary just radiation & hormone therapy. now she scored a 22 on her Oncotype Dx & has been told to undergo 4 sessions of C/T chemotherapy. we're trying to see if the benefits out weigh the SE. any advice. they already have her scheduled for portal placement in the chest next week. it just seems so invasive! pls help us. She's all alone in FL w/her two young kids and we don't know how to proceed.

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  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    #2
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    Questions
    Ask the Oncologist what the percentage difference is on survival rates. If they are recommending chemo, there must be a reason for it. They all have these charts and statistics which show the benefits (or not)of chemo, Rads, Hormone therapy, herceptin, standing on your head and whistling Etc etc.
    Ask them.....Or make sure she does.

    Hugs J.. (She is lucky to have such a nice caring relative...)
  • zahalene
    zahalene Member Posts: 670
    #3
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    When in doubt, leave nothing out.
    We certainly are not qualified to give medical advice here, but we know where you are coming from and where you (or your sister more specifically) will likely be 2 or 5 or 7 years from now. She will be thinking, 'could it come back, did I do everything possible to prevent a re-occurance?'
    The side effects of chemo vary widely and some people make it through with little more than fatigue and hair loss. But even if your sister should choose to have chemo and the side effects are troublesome, there are drugs and other things that can be done to combat the symptoms.
    With two young children to consider, she will want to weigh carefully the balance of some troubling issues now against the better possibility of a long, healthy life.
    God bless.
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #4
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    Similar situation....
    First of all, I agree with Tasha on asking the Oncologist, but I disagree about the fact they have ACCURATE stats for standing on your head!!! (te,he).
    On a more serious note...I am ER/PR+ and HER2nu-, had lumpectomy and clean boarders & nodes and also had the OncotypeDX test done. I was told rad + hormone therapy, but I was prepared to add chemo to my treatment if my score was a 10 or over. It turned out being a first with less than a 1. Since then, I have been made aware that another women scored a 1. But I did have my boundries on if I would do it or not. I think that it is up to the individual to decide if the SE's outweigh the outcome or vica versa. In my case, I want to do everything available to me, not to have any regrets down the road, because I didn't want to deal with the SE's. If they wanted me to have chemo, because I chose Doctors I trust, and they are the experts, I would know that they have weighed the benefits on my behalf and I would do what they say. If I was not 100% sure in their ability, I would get a second opinion.
    It must be difficult to be all alone and with children. She is lucky to have you there for her, even if long distance. Remind her that any final decison is her's to make. She does not have to make them the instant they are presented to her either. She can do her research and get back with the Docs to finalize her treatment.
    Keep us posted and come back anytime you have questions or concerns. :) Pammy
  • piseminger
    piseminger Member Posts: 35
    #5
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    drs. quick decision?
    I hate when drs. tell patience stuff without having all the test results in. This happen to me and I changed surgeons before my surgery was done. It is never easy in making these decisions althought we all have been there. I agree with these ladies. Ask more questions - do all you can do to increase your odds of survival. I wish your sister the best.
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #6
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    I wish your sister good
    I wish your sister good luck! Usually the oncotype score does tell you if or if not in regards to chemo. It shows the chances of a recurrence. Also, if your tumor is 2cm or over, chemo is always recommended. Let us know what your sister does and good luck!

    Hugs, Lex
  • rodripa9
    rodripa9 Member Posts: 28
    #7
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    Alexis F said:

    I wish your sister good
    I wish your sister good luck! Usually the oncotype score does tell you if or if not in regards to chemo. It shows the chances of a recurrence. Also, if your tumor is 2cm or over, chemo is always recommended. Let us know what your sister does and good luck!

    Hugs, Lex

    Chemo is the Answer
    I would like to thank everyone for their advice and well wishes. My sister and I have decided that going through with the TC chemo will be the best course of action. I've been reading other threads and getting SEs on this type of chemo and tips on how to ease some of them. Ultimately I told my sister, I'd rather have my sister weak and bald for a few months then later not have my sister at all. Even if I think the percentage of benefit to chemo is not much, it's better then the lesser. I wish you all the best of luck in your battle. I used to look at that pink ribbon and think "Poor girls, thank you God for keeping us safe." But these last few months I've realized it's not "Poor girls." You all and now including my sister are STRONGER then I could have ever imagined. It is a battle that only the strong can endure. You are warriors!
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #8
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    rodripa9 said:

    Chemo is the Answer
    I would like to thank everyone for their advice and well wishes. My sister and I have decided that going through with the TC chemo will be the best course of action. I've been reading other threads and getting SEs on this type of chemo and tips on how to ease some of them. Ultimately I told my sister, I'd rather have my sister weak and bald for a few months then later not have my sister at all. Even if I think the percentage of benefit to chemo is not much, it's better then the lesser. I wish you all the best of luck in your battle. I used to look at that pink ribbon and think "Poor girls, thank you God for keeping us safe." But these last few months I've realized it's not "Poor girls." You all and now including my sister are STRONGER then I could have ever imagined. It is a battle that only the strong can endure. You are warriors!

    Port for 4 chemo infusions?
    Everyone is different........I have had 2 infusions with 2 to go.......no port..
    For me, being stuck 4 times is preferable to a port....they use a very tiny, fine needle and I feel little more than a small needle prick......my SE have been minimal, taste buds get altered for about 4-5 days afterwards, and I get tired......no nausea what so ever...due to all the anti nausea drugs they give before the chemo and what I take at home the day before.....oh, I am bald, but that's okay.....it's just hair and it will grow back!
    I wish your sister and all of you the best........She needs her family now, more than ever!
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #9
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    rodripa9 said:

    Chemo is the Answer
    I would like to thank everyone for their advice and well wishes. My sister and I have decided that going through with the TC chemo will be the best course of action. I've been reading other threads and getting SEs on this type of chemo and tips on how to ease some of them. Ultimately I told my sister, I'd rather have my sister weak and bald for a few months then later not have my sister at all. Even if I think the percentage of benefit to chemo is not much, it's better then the lesser. I wish you all the best of luck in your battle. I used to look at that pink ribbon and think "Poor girls, thank you God for keeping us safe." But these last few months I've realized it's not "Poor girls." You all and now including my sister are STRONGER then I could have ever imagined. It is a battle that only the strong can endure. You are warriors!

    You are a great sister! I
    You are a great sister! I wish your sister the best of luck with her chemo. It isn't easy, but, she will get thru it, and, know that she did everything possible to fight the beast!

    Good luck, Kylez
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #10
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    tasha_111 said:

    Questions
    Ask the Oncologist what the percentage difference is on survival rates. If they are recommending chemo, there must be a reason for it. They all have these charts and statistics which show the benefits (or not)of chemo, Rads, Hormone therapy, herceptin, standing on your head and whistling Etc etc.
    Ask them.....Or make sure she does.

    Hugs J.. (She is lucky to have such a nice caring relative...)

    I agree with Tasha. Talk to
    I agree with Tasha. Talk to your oncologist about the percentages on survival and recurrence. But, they usually only recommend chemo if it there is a strong reason to take it.

    Good luck!
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    #11
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    Kylez said:

    You are a great sister! I
    You are a great sister! I wish your sister the best of luck with her chemo. It isn't easy, but, she will get thru it, and, know that she did everything possible to fight the beast!

    Good luck, Kylez

    Wishing your sister all of
    Wishing your sister all of the best! Thanks for posting for her! Good luck!
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #12
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    Kristin N said:

    I agree with Tasha. Talk to
    I agree with Tasha. Talk to your oncologist about the percentages on survival and recurrence. But, they usually only recommend chemo if it there is a strong reason to take it.

    Good luck!

    Looks like we all say the
    Looks like we all say the same. Talk to the oncologist. He will have all of the answers and will be able to explain everything to you! Good luck!
  • Barbie1971
    Barbie1971 Member Posts: 1
    #13
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    In the same boat...
    Hi,
    I don't know if this will help, but I am going through the same thing. I had a bilateral mastectomy, instead of lumpectomy, but my cancer was also node-negative.
    My cancer was changed from Stage I to Stage II because the tumor was 2 1/2 centimeters, however, I was given the option to go with hormone therapy alone or chemo too, and I am choosing to do both. My Oncotype score was 16. I have 2 young boys, and I know myself...for my own peace of mind, I am opting to have the chemo along with the hormone therapy. I hope that your sister finds the answer she is looking for...I can tell you that it's in her heart. It's better to be safe than sorry, although nothing is ever 100%.
    God Bless,
    Barbie
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #14
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    My oncology surgeon
    told me he didn't think I needed chemo or rads after bilateral mastectomy because my nodes were cancer free and margins were clean. However, the oncologist disagreed and told me he didn't need the Oncotype dx test done to tell me that I had a 20% chance of recurrence. I'm the 5th in my family with bc and my tumor was 6.1cm. I told him I would do whatever I needed to lessen my risk so I start chemo in 2 weeks. I still don't know if I need rads. To be determined after chemo. And then I will be taking Tamoxifen or other pill. So, {{hugs}} to you and your sister. None of this is easy decision making.
    Char
  • susan smiles
    susan smiles Member Posts: 12
    #15
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    "KNOCKOUT!"
    If you really want to make a good informed decision, Susanne Sommers has a great book out called "KNOCKOUT!" She interviews the top successful Cancer Doctors in the world. Every possible option is explored. Hope this will help!
  • TulsaMomof3
    TulsaMomof3 Member Posts: 105
    #16
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    susan smiles said:

    "KNOCKOUT!"
    If you really want to make a good informed decision, Susanne Sommers has a great book out called "KNOCKOUT!" She interviews the top successful Cancer Doctors in the world. Every possible option is explored. Hope this will help!

    I was in the grey area. I
    I was in the grey area. I chose to go forward with Chemo. I am 1/2 way done with T/C. Its really not as bad as I thought. I only have SE for about a week after each treatment then I am good for 2 weeks. So really since I am having 4 rounds I basically have side effects for 4 weeks. I would say that is a good trade off for having a better Odds for a life time.


    I have never even felt like throwing up, but have had diareah and stomache cramping, I have had a rash, some achyness and fatigue but like I said it last a week then I am back to normal.
  • Skeezie
    Skeezie Member Posts: 586 Member
    #17
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    TulsaMomof3 said:

    I was in the grey area. I
    I was in the grey area. I chose to go forward with Chemo. I am 1/2 way done with T/C. Its really not as bad as I thought. I only have SE for about a week after each treatment then I am good for 2 weeks. So really since I am having 4 rounds I basically have side effects for 4 weeks. I would say that is a good trade off for having a better Odds for a life time.


    I have never even felt like throwing up, but have had diareah and stomache cramping, I have had a rash, some achyness and fatigue but like I said it last a week then I am back to normal.

    Port for 4 chemos? Yes, if you have only one arm left for
    iv's etc. Yes, if you have small, bad veins. It's not only 4 chemo's, it's all the blood tests, in my case a hospital stay and the IV's that go along with it. Yes, for certain tests like bone scans (they tried a vein and could not get it and used my port). Not everyone has good, big old veins. We have heard from other's on this board that their veins were damaged from chemo and those veins have to see us thru the rest of our lives. For all of my surgeries and tests before the port I had traditional IV's. That meant multiple sticks and digging each time and finally the IV's wound up in the same place, in the middle of my wrist (on the inside)...I can't describ the pain!

    Please don't anyone discourage someone from getting a port if their doc (and themselves) feel the need for one. This isn't an endurance test. Port's are sent from heaven for those of us who need them. I plan on keeping mine as long as possible and my surgeon sees no harm in that. I just wish I had a power port.

    Love and Need My Port, Judy :-)
  • Snowkitty
    Snowkitty Member Posts: 295
    #18
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    Skeezie said:

    Port for 4 chemos? Yes, if you have only one arm left for
    iv's etc. Yes, if you have small, bad veins. It's not only 4 chemo's, it's all the blood tests, in my case a hospital stay and the IV's that go along with it. Yes, for certain tests like bone scans (they tried a vein and could not get it and used my port). Not everyone has good, big old veins. We have heard from other's on this board that their veins were damaged from chemo and those veins have to see us thru the rest of our lives. For all of my surgeries and tests before the port I had traditional IV's. That meant multiple sticks and digging each time and finally the IV's wound up in the same place, in the middle of my wrist (on the inside)...I can't describ the pain!

    Please don't anyone discourage someone from getting a port if their doc (and themselves) feel the need for one. This isn't an endurance test. Port's are sent from heaven for those of us who need them. I plan on keeping mine as long as possible and my surgeon sees no harm in that. I just wish I had a power port.

    Love and Need My Port, Judy :-)

    I love my port
    After my first (of 4) portless infusion, my chemo nurses told me I really needed a port. I was already on board with because of the multiple places they tried. Chemo needles are long and thick and chemo is really hard on veins & mine aren't all that great to begin with.

    Next infusion was with the port. It was a snap. Even the blood draws are a snap.

    Cindy
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #19
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    Skeezie said:

    Port for 4 chemos? Yes, if you have only one arm left for
    iv's etc. Yes, if you have small, bad veins. It's not only 4 chemo's, it's all the blood tests, in my case a hospital stay and the IV's that go along with it. Yes, for certain tests like bone scans (they tried a vein and could not get it and used my port). Not everyone has good, big old veins. We have heard from other's on this board that their veins were damaged from chemo and those veins have to see us thru the rest of our lives. For all of my surgeries and tests before the port I had traditional IV's. That meant multiple sticks and digging each time and finally the IV's wound up in the same place, in the middle of my wrist (on the inside)...I can't describ the pain!

    Please don't anyone discourage someone from getting a port if their doc (and themselves) feel the need for one. This isn't an endurance test. Port's are sent from heaven for those of us who need them. I plan on keeping mine as long as possible and my surgeon sees no harm in that. I just wish I had a power port.

    Love and Need My Port, Judy :-)

    I am fine if
    it's just a blood test once in a while but when you have to have IVs for breast MRI and stereostatic biopsy and then another dr is asking for blood work, I don't have any good veins left. I'm considered a hard stick after 11 surgeries in 2 1/2 years. I've had a central line, a PICCU line and my port placement is this Friday. My oncologist didn't hesitate when he recommended it. Finally someone is thinking of my veins:-)
    Char
  • waffle8
    waffle8 Member Posts: 234
    #20
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    cahjah75 said:

    I am fine if
    it's just a blood test once in a while but when you have to have IVs for breast MRI and stereostatic biopsy and then another dr is asking for blood work, I don't have any good veins left. I'm considered a hard stick after 11 surgeries in 2 1/2 years. I've had a central line, a PICCU line and my port placement is this Friday. My oncologist didn't hesitate when he recommended it. Finally someone is thinking of my veins:-)
    Char

    chemo
    I had 4 treatments without a port and have 2 new scars to show for it..Wish I would have gotten more info before...Oh well moving on up to radiation....

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