2nd cancer - mom needs help on chemo

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sazzyz0044
sazzyz0044 Member Posts: 14
edited June 2014 in Second or Third Breast Cancer
Hello Ladies - My mom has asked me to write you ladies specifically because you know how it feels to be diagnosed AGAIN. Here's the deal - in 1997 Mom was dx Stage 1, gr2, ER/PR+. She had lumpectomy, rads, tamox for 5 years. NOW, 10 years later she has a new cancer in the other breast: Stage 1, gr2, ER/PR+ AGAIN. We had the oncotype done - which was a 13 and considered low. Her stats are that there is an 8% chance of reoccurance somewhere in the body without chemo. Having chemo decreases that to 5%. Her onco is comfortable with her NOT doing chemo and just the rads and femera for 5 years.

I saw the lengthy discussion about exactly this on the newly diagnosed board...but this is the SECOND time. She really does NOT want to do chemo, but she cannot get comfortable with her decision. We're looking for any input. We know we are lucky that this is a stage 1 again, it was slow growing (mitosis of 1)...but do you treat it like it was the first time you were diagnosed (which she never considered chemo) or do you act more aggressive out of fear? Thought???

Thanks,
Sue
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  • rubytuesday
    rubytuesday Member Posts: 2,248
    edited July 2007

    Sue, Fear does taint your opinion the second time. HOWEVER, given her stats, I would be comfortable not going with chemo and treating it like it was the first time since it appears to be local. I did just that when I was diagnosed a second time. At first, I was scared $hitless but then got a grip and got the facts and haven't looked back. I also didn't do chemo the first time or the second time. The first time I refused it (although my breast surgeon said that technically I did do chemo since I did Tamoxifen) as it only improved my overall survival by 1% or 4% depending on who I was talking to. This time, it didn't even come up so I didn't have to make that weighty decision. I chose mastectomy (mine was a new primary (actually 2 tumors) in the same breast)and Femara which I don't find to be too bad. Best wishes to you and your mom!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2007
    Sue...Maybe you've kind of answered the question already when you ask if one should choose aggressive treatment based on fear. Since these are somewhat isolated incidences, I should think that they should be treated as just individual events, but that's easy for me to say. If it were me, I'd get every toxic drug I could because I'm terrified of mets, but that wouldn't be a sensible or logical choice if the statistics and medical advice didn't support it. It's my opinion that your mother should base her decision upon how comfortable she can be after treatment is over. If she's going to worry herself to death, maybe she should forge ahead with the chemo..?

    It's all about being at peace with your choices, isn't it?

    Marin
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  • sazzyz0044
    sazzyz0044 Member Posts: 14
    edited July 2007
    Thanks Ladies...I appreciate your input. My Mom had made her decision which is to forgo chemo. She's starting rads in 2 weeks and Femera. She truly is at peace with her decision now...she feels stronger that she made the right decision today then she did Monday. I think it's those days of seeing the oncologist, all the blood tests, scheduling scans, ultrasounds....it's just so overwhelming. Days later - you feel calmer, clearer...and the positive attitude kicks in.

    Thanks again,
    Sue
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  • rubytuesday
    rubytuesday Member Posts: 2,248
    edited July 2007

    Sue, It really is calming when you finally see your way clear to make a decision. I wish her the very best!!!

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