CMF OR NOT!

dswope

Hello,

I'm still feeling fairly new to all this.  I need input and advice.

After a Total Mast. my Onc now wants me to start the CMF treatment.  I've done some research on the drugs...it seems to me it's all pretty much poison!  Is it worth the risk to not go for the Chemo?  I'm leaning towards playing the odds.  Anyone out there opted to stay away from the Chemo with this diagnosis?  I have a family history, brac test was neg. for the gene, oncotype test says my reaccurance score is 29.  I'm so full of info I don't know how to make the decision.  I'm only 55 years young and don't want the quality of my life to be interupted any more than it already has.  Any suggestions, words of wisdom, general knowledge that will help me make this decision?   

SoCalLisa

Hi there Deb..just sending along a hug..this decision making time is very frustrating isn' t it??

I  agonized for a month before making mine...we certainly are all different and have to decide for

ourselves..I wouldn't begin to try to make a suggestion about what you will be doing...it is up to you..it seems like each doctor has his/her own recommendations...so much going around in your head..

I made my decision almost nine years ago when many new options were not available...

For me, I did CMF and had some severe side effects that I still live with today..but on the other hand here I am with no further evidence of breast cancer..so did I make the right decision?? 

I don't know even today..

Just trust your instincts and chose the doctor you respect the most and really ponder what he/she says..

Hugs, SoCal

idaho

Ask your onc. to get his computer out- Mine showed me the percentage chemo would help me- it would only up my chances of no recurrence by 4%- I said no thanx- I am taking tamox- had radiation, and I am done as far as I am concerned.  Peace to you in whatever you decide. Tami

TXBadboob

dswope,

  My dx is similar to yours.  I had neo-adj chemo of Abraxane(3 mos weekly) and FEC(3 mos every 3 weeks), then total mx, oopher/hysterectomy.  I worked throughout my treatment with very little problems.  Another lady on here is on CMF, and she's having very little problems, and is not even losing her hair.

  That being said, it is a very personal decision that you will have to make, and you are doing the smart thing to get as much info as possible, being here on this board and posting.  I'm sending good vibes your way in making your choice.

Deen

PAP

DSWOPE...Boy do I hear you!  I agonized over my decision and was very adamant about not putting the toxins in my body.  I'm 63 and very healthy so was constantly being told I am too young and healthy to not do chemo with a high grade tumor.  For me the most compelling reasons I was being told to do the chemo were....even with negative lymph nodes under the arm, there is no guarantee since there are lymph nodes in the chest that do not get checked and if the cancer recurs or spreads it is incurable.  It took me awhile to decide to embrace the "magic juice" that would eradicate any lingering cancer cells, but after one treatment that went really well I'm glad I decided to fight this thing!  It is such a personal decision, though, and you will make the right decision for you at this time in your life. Patti

dswope

Thanks to all of you.  I'm still undecisive...thought I'd made up my mind until I read Patti's post!  Patti, I see you are from Seattle.  You aren't by any chance going through all this at Swedish are you?  Good luck to you.  I keep thinking someone is going to say something that will just finalize it for me!  Doesn't work that way huh?

Deb 

dswope

SoCalLisa,  may I ask what the SE's are you are still living with?

Deb

makingway

dswope-I am where you're at. At this point I've changed my mind about a few things. I was going to do radiation,no chemo. Then I ruled out radiation because of the skin damage and the possibility of causing cancer in my lungs. I'm a smoker. And I do not think Tamoxifen sounds like a good idea with all of it's side effects-I'm barely have the will to live already.I don't even want my PS to touch my other boob! I was gonna have it lifted a little to match the new implant. I think I might have lymphedema. It's either that or this damned expander is too big and it's impending movement and circulation. But, the chemo...I'm still have to do some research. If there are significant long term effects I will most likely say no.

SoCalLisa

Deb..you asked about the side effects I have...it is liver disease...the CMF can be toxic to the liver , It happened to me but not everyone, of course...

PAP

DSWOPE...I actually live in Everett and had second, third and fourth opinions at SCCA downtown, Cancer Treatment of America in Renton, Puget Sound Cancer Care at Northwest Hosp, and finally the Providence Everett Cancer Center.  Settled on the one closest to home and I am very happy there.  Beautiful facility with free parking!