Hi there ...

This dilemma pops up every so often .. and personally I think there's lots of things to take into account.  I can only tell you my opinion .. I was 63 with a grade 3 her2 neg oestrogen positive lump ... I've got lots of on going health issues .. stenosis and scoliosis and lots of arthritis throughout .. so I'd said no to chemo right from day one .. but every step of the way, I've weighed out things for and against ... so l had a right total masectomy... really hasn't bothered me having a scare where my boob used to sit .. small price to pay for still being here .. 

Because no lymph node effected,  I didn't need chemo anyways .. but was advised radiotherapy... because of health , I declined after finding out the % it gave me over having none ... I said yes to tamoxifen as my cancer was oestrogen based... for 5 years ... even though that's been hard going at times ... 

Now if I was younger with a family at home, and fitter , l would have even had every limb taken off to give me longer while my son's were growing up ...  now we have a wonderful lass on here, just finished lots of treatments .. chemo / everything ... and I know she was petrified at the start of her journey .. l hope she don't mind but I'm tagging her again today ... she can explain the other side of cancer ... [@Marlyn]‍  

I know she'll pop by if she sees this .. you know about 7 of us breast lasses started on here around the same time over 2 years ago and you know most of them have gone back to their life post cancer and one lass has just had a baby boy after her treatment ... we didn't loose one .... 

Sending you a vertual hug... Chrissie xx 

Hello puddingface. ( love the name) 

i was in a complete quandary ref chemo, I was grade 2 invasive ductal carcinoma her2+....no lymph node involvement....

the way the onco told it ( and he was pretty convincing) is that her2 + is a particularly aggressive cancer, and that he couldn't rule out a rogue cell....well that swung it for me, I'm in my 50's and fit and healthy, and the thought of a random rogue cell was just too much so I dove straight it....

its such a personal choice, what do family and friends think? Ultimately it's down to you though.....good luck in your choices love...here if you need a chat xx

thank you so so much to you both [@Marlyn]‍  [@Chriss]‍  for replying back ‍ still waiting for my onco appt I'm just scared of everything I guess  and until now  i still can't accept the not so nice situation I'm in..but I think everything happens for a reason..  thank you so much again xx

Hi [@Marlyn]‍  I had my first chemo treatment 5th of Dec been really tired and haven't eaten much,my head is all over the place, I don't know what I'm feeling at the moment. But during the treatment everything went well though,although felt really depressed whilst inside the treatment area I'm the youngest on that day they are all elderly but really lovely the other lady Infront of me is always smiling at me and saying everything is going to be ok... Will the 2nd and the rest of treatment going to be worst than the first? Many thanks in advance. xx

Hello pudding face,

good to hear from you love.

well, that's the first ticked off, are you having 6 in total? It's a shock to the system isn't it? The first one was by far my worst.....they did get more tolerable as they went along....

just keep an eye on your temperature and if in doubt call the help line, I had them on speed dial! The more you can drink the better. How are you finding textures of food? I lived on arrow root biscuits and grapes the first few days post chemo.....

Rest as much as you can, always here if you need me xxxx

Thank you so so much for replying back I live on crackers and grapes too.. I love food specially chocolates but nothing tastes the same. I slightly feel feverish I've checked my temp and it's 36.9 hopefully it stays the same. It is really a big shock I try not to feel too depressed by what's going on with me but I just can't help it just find myself crying at times.. Hope you are well and thank you so much for replying back. Is there anything advise you can give as to what to eat or did you take any herbal medicine whilst having chemo? Thank you so much xxx

I went completely off chocolate ( I have the gift back now though) and went the other way, I craved salty stuff...especially crisps! It's common on chemo apparently...

I drank prune juice everyday ( had to force myself) as my poor bowels suffered. I also took lifemel honey everyday to help with my white blood cells. It's very expensive but no cycle got delayed. Look it up, it's very interesting! 

My nurse advised against anything herbal to be on the safe side....

Do you have plenty of difflam? Your mouth may get very sore.....also I got dry eyes....

the only advise I would give you is eat what you fancy when you want.....you'll probably go through phases of what you fancy.....and 100% drink plenty of fluids.....

xxxxx

Hi I have the same diagnosis as you and have just finished 6 rounds of chemo. I'm not going to lie it's not easy, but it's not as bad as you imagine. Every round I had different side effects, but there is so much treatment for the side effects. The worst thing I have had is a dry mouth to the point I have broken a tooth. But there is fake saliva for that. You will be on steroids and anti sickness meds. I know you must be worried, but you can do it. I'm here if you every need to chat. I have loads of tips on how to deal with any symptoms. Sending you some love  

Hi please tell me where can I can get lifemel honey I just had my first injection yesterday my body feels so weak and I'm not liking this.. I want to get out of the bed but everytime I do it my head is spinning...  xxxx

I got the lifemel honey from good old amazon, I warn you it's very expensive but I was too scared to stop as I never had delays, now of course I'm not sure if my bloods were always going to be ok...but I was willing to try anything...have you read up on it? Even my chemo nurse said she had read the write ups and was impressed...

The spiny head sadly is part and parcel of chemo....isn't it vile! Do mention it at your next appointment though....

im so sorry your having a rough time...I really understand.....xxx