STAGE1 AND CHEMO

Epark - sounds like you are being bullied into chemo.  It may be the right thing to do, but you need to go into it being convinced that it's the right thing.  Did your MO order an Oncotype Test?  You have time to take a couple of weeks and do a little more homework so that you are comfortable with the decision.  The Oncotype Test will look at a sample of your tumor, perform certain genetic tests, and develop a score that indicates your chance for a distant recurrence. 

I was in your shoes last July, stage 1, no nodes, grade 3, and chose no chemo, just a lumpectomy and Mammosite radiation.  I was diagnosed with a recurrence in March, have had a bilateral mastectomy, and am now half-way through my chemo.  My recurrence is not "distant" meaning it's not in the bones, or liver, or anywhere else.  While it is serious, no doctor has told me that my chances of survival are low. 

I will not try to convince you either way.  My only advice is to take your time with your decision.  Chemo is not easy, and it will be harder if you're not convinced it's the right thing for you.

Hugs,

Michelle

If you are HER2+, then yes, chemo is recommended.  Even for early stagers with small tumors.  HER2 + is an agressive cancer.  You will also be recommended to do a year of herceptin.

If it is HER2 negative, than you can ask for the Oncotype DX test.  That will tell you how well your particular cancer will respond to chemo.  If you have a low score, you can safely skip chemo.

Now, chemo is not what you are imagining it to be.  It's not like the movies - all vomiting and lonely walks on the beach.  It's just a medical treatment.  Most people can work through chemo, there are great meds now that prevent nausea and most symptoms can be handled quite well.  As you know, I'm stage IV.  I have been working during chemo for 2 years now.  I did TCH at first, and now I'm on navelbine.

Good luck to you, I hope you end up being HER2- with a low oncotype score, but if not you can handle it! 

Hi epark,

I am so sorry you are going through this.  I remember this point vividly, the decisions are overwhelming.  I had similar stats as yours and am now 5 years out.  So, you will get through this, too!  My doctor recommended chemo and I went for it without looking back because I was terrified and I wanted to survive.  My onc admitted to me on day 1 that yes, it's a crap shoot ...  physically, chemo was not nearly as bad as I expected, though I found it to be quite challenging mentally.  But I do believe it was worth it.  If you are confident in and comfortable with your doctor, and she highly recommends it, then I would follow her advice.  It is terrifying, I know, but this really is the best time to pull out all the big guns.  My best to you....

http://hisfaceinmyjourney.blogspot.com/2011/05/decisions.html

my neighbor had a DCIS, no lymph nodes, and had 2 chemos, she was Her2 negative.  I was surprised, but I thought better safe  than sorry.

I have no positive nodes, but am her2 positive, and I just had TCH number 4 today.  It really is not that bad so far.  This weekend, I expect to feel fluish and will stay home, but I have been working throughout.  I think I would have elected chemo even if I wasn't her2 positive.  I considered it my insurance policy.

Good luck to you.  Whichever way you go, you will get support here.