anybody sorry they done chemo

icey

Hi ladies. I was wondering if any of you are sorry that you did chemo. I know that chemo does not do much for er and pr positive early breast cancer. So has anyone done the chemo and regretted it because of the side effect or because the cancer came back anyway? Icey

HappyTrisha

I had both er and pr positive early breast cancer and I don't regret doing chemo at all.  I went with the most aggressive treatments that I could.  My regret would have been if I didn't do chemo. 

candie1971

No regrets here. I would do anything to keep it away!!

daffodil45

I have had both an ER/PR + as well as a primary triple negative cancer.(Same time) I have 2 teenage boys. I will do ANYTHING to keep these monsters from ruining my life. No regrets. In fact.....bring it on!

otter

icey, I finished chemo (4 rounds of Taxotere & Cytoxan) 18 months ago. I have no regrets at all.  In fact, almost every medical research article I've read since then has reaffirmed my decision to go ahead with chemo.

My tumor was not big enough to justify chemo because of size; my nodes were negative; and the tumor was ER+.  But, the tumor tissue was sent to California for Oncotype DX testing, and the result (my Oncotype DX recurrence score) was 26.  That meant my risk of metastatic BC (10-year risk of "distant recurrence") was 17%, even after 5 years of tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor.  That was way too high for me.  There were other factors, too, but I won't go into all that here.

Two oncologists recommended chemo for me after reviewing my medical record.  I can't say I "sailed" through chemo -- it was really tough, and I sure hope I don't have to do anything like that, ever again.

But, that's the whole point -- that's why I agreed to have chemo. Even though chemo only offered a 5 or 6% absolute benefit (it reduced my recurrence risk from the original 17% down to around 12%), that benefit was higher than the risks of serious, long-term side effects.  The short-term SE's made those 3 months pretty miserable, but chemo is do-able.

I asked myself this:  Which would bring me the greatest regret -- declining chemo and then ending up with metastatic cancer, or having chemo and ending up with metastatic cancer anyway?  I decided I would always regret it if I turned down that chance for a 5 or 6% reduction in risk of mets, and then ended up getting mets.  If I went through chemo but the cancer came back as mets despite the chemo, well, ... sometimes really bad things happen, no matter what we do.

otter 

lexislove

No. I had an 8cm tumor. At pathology it was 1.3cmX1.3cm and DCIS noted.

I had a very aggressice cancer, I did 6 months of chemo and if my onc told me to do 6 more.....I would have.

knowledgeforpower

Like Otter, my tumor was small and my nodes negative and I was grade 3.  My Oncotype was also 26. I am 58 years young. My oncologist recommended chemo and I did 4 rounds of adriamycin/cytoxan.  I don't regret my decision as I wanted to be as aggressvie as need be the first time and hopefully the only time around. Most of us don't sail through chemo, but it's doable.  The chemo discussion has lots and lots of helpful hints for making it through chemo.  Good luck with your decision.

smithlme

No regrets here, either. I'll do anything I can to stay alive...

momand2kids

I had early stage, ER/PR+her2- no nodes-- oncotype score of 27--- doing chemo dropped my risk down to below 9%-- I was all for that.... I have no regrets at all because I sleep soundly every night, knowing I did all I could..... I did 4 rounds over 8 weeks-it was a challenge-but it is over (ended in feb 09).  

 My oncotype score was intermediate- an argument could have been made in my case for no chemo--- but I signed on right away.... and today I feel great!!!!

good luck 

Cowgirl13

Never have I doubted it.  Before I had chemo I told my oncologist that I would rather be dead than have chemo.  Fortunately, I have a wonderful oncologist and I practically sailed thru it.  I  was riding my horse 2 days after my first chemo--i did have bad days but nothing I couldn't handle.  They loaded me up with all kinds of pre-stuff before the chemo--anti nausea, steroids, you name it.  It worked.

ravdeb

No regrets..though I was triple neg and had no other options..

Scooter-12

No regrets...anything to beat the beast.

SoCalLisa

Me, I regret having had chemo..

Ezscriiibe

SoCalLisa: Just can't leave us hanging like that!

mbtlcsw01

I, like almost everyone else on here have NO regrets having chemo.  I, too had the Oncotype test and scored 28 which answered the question of whether or not I needed it.  I would strongly recommend you have that test done, if you have not already.  This wasn't available when my mom had this horrible disease many years ago.  This is the technology we have today to help us and the docs make wise decisions about our care.  It will cut down the risk of recurrence a great deal.  I'm grateful we have that technology and the better drugs today.  Mary

SoCalLisa

OK Escribe..sorry, but the CMF chemo fried my liver

Sassa

Absolutely no regrets and, now, 3 years later, no apparent side effects of the chemo.

 As a matter of fact, I have found some hidden "benefits" of the chemo.  The chemo will knock out any fast growing cells in your body.  As a result, skin tags on my face, several  spots of sun damage, and age spots have disappeared as a result of the chemo.  I always joke with my dermatologist about my chemo "facial."

frosty1

I just found this thread and I have to say thank you.  I too was wondering about chemo as I just found out yesterday that I'm going to start in February (6 cycles 3 weeks apart, then Herceptin for a year, then Tamoxifen for 5 - woohoo).  I will look forward to the chemo "facial" Sassa described.

sueinfl

I really needed this today. I had my 5th round of TAC on Monday and am feeling like stomped dog poo and wishing for my old gastro-intestinal tract. However, after a total butcher job of a core biopsy back in September, I knew that cancer cells had spread everywhere and that chemo would be my only chance of wiping them out.

My onc suggested chemo before anything else. I started out with an ILC (supposedly doesn't respond well to chemo) tumor larger than 5cm in my left breast that is ER/PR+, HER-. When I saw my new GS for the first time two weeks ago and he examined me, he said that if he had not read the report, he would never have guessed there had been a tumor.

There is no doubt in my mind that chemo will either be improved drastically or done away with entirely in another 10 years due to the constant advances in immunology, but I am grateful I didn't have to wait. Do I hate the short term SE's and worry about the long term SE's? Sure do, but I would do it again for my kids and the grandkids I hope to hold someday.

And, on that note, I think I will go curl up with some Ativan...  ;->

((((((((((CancerA**KickinSisters)))))))))))

Ezscriiibe

Thanks, Lisa. So sorry to hear that and, as a diabetic, I'm particularly sensitive about liver issues!

dlb823

icey ~  I had some pretty major SEs (muscle weakness, joint pain)... and the recovery from chemo took longer than anyone bothered to tell me about going into it.   But still I would do it (and rads) again in a heartbeat for the peace of mind, knowing I've done all that I can. 

The only thing I would suggest is, if you are still deciding whether or not to do chemo, in addition to getting the Oncotype-DX test, be sure to get a second opinion.  I found out when I went for a second opinion that the first onc I'd seen had recommended a chemo that would not have been right for my ER+ bc and probably would have been much harder on me than the one I did.  So don't assume that all oncs will recommend the same thing (they don't), and be sure to get a second opinion so that you have as much information as possible to help you make the best decision.   Deanna

Claire_in_Seattle

Not in the least!   And certainly not with iffy odds of making it without, and very good odds of making it with chemo, radiation, and hormonal therapy.  I am adding in exercise on top of this.

Chemo is no fun, but do-able.  We may have much more targeted genetic therapy in a few years, but right now, we have to go with the best proven protocols.  For a large number of us, that means chemo.

One other thing I would add is that I felt infinitely better about doing chemo once I got through the first infusion and realized that I could keep up with most of my life while doing it.  This was important, and has made it all so much easier to bear.

It also goes by a lot faster than you think.......

Twinmom77

I'm still on the fence and I'm over three months out, lol!  I was very lucky that they found no invasive cancer left after my lumpectomy, so obviously the chemo (along with the other things I was doing) did it's job on my very ER+/PR+ tumor.  For that I am grateful.  I don't have any lasting effects at this point either.   But I still wonder sometimes if that was the right path for me.

I will say that you should see as many oncologists as you feel you need to until you are comfortable with one.  Having a doctor that you feel really cares about you and won't blow off your questions or try to talk you into things makes a huge difference in your comfort level with all this.

monee

Although I am in the minority, I do regreat having done chemo.  Every time I have a hot flash I think about it. I was guilted into doing it. My husband and my doctors all but called me a fool. I had micromets to one node.  Some call that node negative.  I didn't have the ocono type test done because my insurance would not cover it. I did however do the bilat. I refused hormone therapy (and I was called a fool as well). Chemo sucked. I'd rather feel good and live a short life than live a long miserable one.

Laura2009

I did chemo and am fine with that decision, but was terrified heading into it.  I had hoped to avoid it, but my oncotype dx score came back higher than expected (24?  I think?  I can't believe I don't remember the exact number!) (ah, 22, thanks, sig!).  I had decided before meeting with my oncologist that I would seek a second opinion.  I ended up getting treated by Oncologist #2 because he was much more communicative.  He recommended a different course of treatment than the first doctor and explained why.

The worst side effect for me was fatigue, since I work full-time.  Fortunately, I was able to telecommute for a day after treatment, which helped.  For me, the fatigue improved in later treatments, though obviously everyone is different.  The other side effects were temporary and manageable (hair loss, heartburn, constipation).

Good luck with your decision!

noellech

I regret the chemo. I think you are so scared in the midst of it you want to do anything you can to ensure it won't come back. Now I think I over reacted. When I say that my husband gets upset since we have three little kids. That is the only reason I did it. Otherwise I would not have. But chemo put me in menopause at 42 which is not good for my heart or my bones. So I feel like I did everything I could to battle the cancer but damaged the rest of my body. There is no easy answer if you are early stage. Good luck.

Janina95570

Monee & Noellech:  This is what I was looking to read.

I am in a situation myself.  My node is microscopic, which put me as positive, although Dr says could be a negative.  So chemo is up in the air for me.  I do not want to do it!!

I am waiting on my Oncotype results to make the decision. 

Dr said it may make a 5% difference....not enough margin for me...not with the side effects.  But, we will see what oncotype says.

I do have a 2 yr old son..but feel with radiation, tamaxifen and monitored every 6 mths...I feel if I got it again, it would be found early enough.

So confused!!!

icey

Hi , That is interesting. What kind of chemo did u have.

Firni

My cancer was very early and very small.  Invasive Lobular and er/pr +.   Because of my age at the time (52) Onc thought I should do "Chemo lite" (CMF) after my bi-lat Mx.  I had 2 nodes removed and one had a micro met.  My BS and onc both said that still is considered negative. I was still on track for 4 rounds of CMF.  Then my oncotype Dx came back at 39!  I ended up doing 6 rounds of TC.  I asked my onc why the oncotype score was so high when all my numbers were so low.  He said it doesn't matter what stage, grade or size the tumor is.  It matters what the cells of the tumor are doing and mine were particularly nasty.  The 6 rounds of chemo and 5 years of Tamox, bring my distant recurrence rate from 28% down to less than 10%.  I don't regret having the chemo especially since I had the micro met. 

KorynH

Well chemo really confused my immune system and now I have terrible allergic reactions that cause my lips to swell enormously...I mean really humoungous bad! It is embarrasing. I can't leave my house when I look like this  <---. No triggers...can't identify what is causing them because they sometimes do this out of the blue.

I also have a  rash on my arm where my port was removed a month ago and it hasn't gone away. I had to do chemo because I was Her2+++ but if I hadn't been I don't know if I would have. Had I known this could happen to me I may have thought twice anyways. I had never heard of it. I need to ask my oncologist the name for it.

Firni

Good God KorynH!  I don't blame you for not wanting to go out looking like that.  I have not heard of allergies/ swelling lips as a SE of chemo.  I thought having a swollen foot was bad.  Geesh.