Anyone not have Chemo?

[kevelly]

My mother has just had a lump removed.  It was 7mm.  Not spread to nodes.  Were just waiting for the HER2 test.  She was told my the oncologist that if she had chemo it would give her an extra 4% survivial.  
She is 59 this year.  Just want to know if anyone has decided not to have chemo.  My mum still doesn't know what to do as the decision has been left to her.  My dad has just walked out on her, so she is by herself, apart from me.
I just want to know if it would be worth her having the chemo?  7 months of it is going to drain her, and then the radiotherephy after.  She works at the local hospital, so you could say that she won't work again.
We're so confussed and feel helpless.  

[cheryl52]

My breast cancer was found in 01/08, first surgery 01/10/08 and second surgery (different surgeon) 02/22/08.  Not sure of the final size of the cancer, seeing the surgeon next week for a post-surgery check up and to obtain all the facts about my BC; size, stage, grade, etc.  The surgeon was able to get clear margins and found that there was no cancer in the sentinel lymph nodes.  My BC is ER+, PR+ and HER- and the BRCA1 & BRCA 2 were negative as well.  After the final pathology report was completed, my 2nd surgeon submitted my tissue, etc. for the Oncotype DX test which gives my case an individual score of how helpful chemo will or will not be.  That test takes 2-3 weeks for results, so it's the waiting game once again

In 12/98, I had Stage III Ovarian Cancer and personally, I am hoping that I never have to have Chemo again.  In 1998, I did not have a choice and I know that I would not be alive today if not for the Chemo.  Still, I am not anxious to re-visit that medical treatment.  I am 55 and would like for my next 5-10 years to be fruitful and mainly pain & side effect free.  I am hoping for radiation and hormone therapy only and will educate myself the best I can since these two treatments will be new/first time for me.

Try to have your Mom make an educated decision.  I would seek a second and even third opinion, it may help greatly.  Ultimately, we must make the final decision for ourselves and our treatment.  Make sure that you/your Mom makes the best "Informed" decision because that decision determines the balance of your life.  You must confidently make a decision and then move forward with no regrets and without looking back and saying "what if?".

Best of luck, you are not alone!  In 2008, there may be 200,000 new cases of  BC in the U.S. alone.  The BreastCancer.org site is a wonderful site to talk candidly with others experiencing what you are experiencing  I used that site often while being post-surgery, pre-surgery again, etc.

Take care!
Cheryl

[often]

What type of cancer?  7 months of chemo for a 7mm lump seems like a lot to me.  I assume the margins were clear.  I think if it were me, I would get another opinion.  I had a 2.1 cm tumor removed and was given 4 treatments 3 weeks apart.  And the only reason was that I was stage 2 by size because of that .1 cm.

Also look into the side effects of chemo and weigh them against the 4%.  

[My2girlsRmy2gifts]

It depends on if it was invasive or not.  I had no chemo...I have DCIS stage O howerver, after a mastetomy a positive margin brought me to radiation.

I she having radiation ?  Usually, with a lumpectomy radiaiton is involved.  If its non-invasive cancer then no chemo gen. doesn't follow

Speak to a Radiation Oncologist...they can tell your mom and you if she should need a Medical Oncologist....oh, write down questions and PLEASE go with her...its nice to have not only the support but another person to remember all the overwhelming tech.