I found chemo very doable. They gave me scripts for meds I would need to counteract the side-effects. During that first year I never vomited once. I took the anti-nausea meds before I needed them and was able to eat a well balanced diet with lots of veggies and fruit and protein. I drank tons of water daily to wash out the toxins from the chemo and I exercised every day...sometimes just a short walk around the block and other times a more active exercise at the Y. Point being I stayed moving and active in my life. I also worked every day while on chemo.
If your oncotype score is low the oncologist won't recommend chemo. They hadn't yet begun doing Oncotype when I was diagnosed but it wouldn't have been necessary in my case.
I'm in my second recurrence and even today I am glad I did everything available. If I hadn't I wouldn't be 14 years from my initial diagnosis. Chemo for the third time makes me feel like an old hand at this and none of the chemos have be terrible. Not one was as bad as I thought it would be or as horrible as people wanted to lead me to believe.
If I were you I would do everything the oncologist suggests - if I trusted that onc. Believe me if I don't trust a doctor I seek out another one. I got second, third and even fourth opinions until I found doctors I could work with and I could trust.
70% of beating this disease if your attitude. Positive thought can make your mind control you body in wonderful ways.
So that's my advice. You have to do what feels right for you. But, if you have a medical team that you trust, support from those you love, and the attitude that you can get past this you will do great. Keep us posted as to your progress and what the doctors want you to do. We can be very helpful in answering questions and offering opinions. Hang in there.
take GOoD care
Zoe
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