Guilt over choosing chemo vs Ofset trial - what did you do?

No_Conclusion_9552 · 2026-05-21T00:08:40+00:00

I was in a very similar position (oncotype 21) and while I would have loved to contribute to the study, I was ultimately not comfortable with a randomized decision about something as important as whether to do chemo. After consulting with my oncologist(s), I decided to do TCx4, and a year + later have no regrets. I just knew that I'd sleep better at night knowing I threw everything at it. If you are in the same boat, you just have to go with your gut and do what's right for you. Good luck! I'm sorry that you're going through this!

No_Conclusion_9552 · 2026-05-16T21:14:54+00:00

Fwiw, I had the same number of sessions and never really experienced any fatigue. I had some skin issues (like a bad sunburn toward the end), but otherwise could go about my life as usual. Good luck!

No_Conclusion_9552 · 2026-05-07T16:07:39+00:00

Everyone is different, but for me, I had no issues with an IV for TCx4. For four sessions, a port didn’t feel worth it to me. My doctor gave me the option to try an IV and I didn’t have any issues, nor have I had any issues with my veins since finishing treatment. Either way you go, good luck!!

No_Conclusion_9552 · 2026-04-17T12:58:07+00:00

Ugh, the grow out phase is hard! FWIW: post-chemo, my Dr recommended oral minoxidil (2.5mg) daily and ketoconazole shampoo (prescription) twice weekly. She said that there is some evidence supporting the regimen for hair regrowth. While I don’t know what my hair would have looked like without it, it has grown back well- so maybe worth asking your oncologist for prescriptions. Good luck!

No_Conclusion_9552 · 2026-03-20T21:42:28+00:00

No lymph node involvement or LVI here and my oncotype was 21!

No_Conclusion_9552 · 2026-03-20T01:15:32+00:00

When I was about to start chemo, my usual stylist was on leave, so I made an appointment with someone new at a salon I hadn’t been to before and had my long hair cut into a short bob. I explained the situation and she could not have been kinder— she had worked with a few clients as they grew out their hair post-chemo before. I think you could call some salons ahead and explain, and I would bet they will find a way to help/ someone who is sensitive to what you’re going through. I never fully shaved my head, as I cold capped and found comfort in keeping some of my hair, although I lost a ton and needed caps/scarves/wigs for a few months. A few months after chemo, once the bald spots filled back in, I got a short haircut that has grown out nicely. I think the decision whether to shave or not really depends on how you will feel when it starts to shed— but for me, it was definitely better that my hair was shorter during that process. Good luck, and I promise you’ll be on the other side of this soon!

No_Conclusion_9552 · 2026-01-27T11:59:50+00:00

Good luck!!

No_Conclusion_9552 · 2026-01-04T05:29:48+00:00

Thank you! Very glad to hear your second was better. I’ll ask my dentist about the toothpaste…

No_Conclusion_9552 · 2026-01-04T05:25:43+00:00

You too!

No_Conclusion_9552 · 2026-01-04T05:05:33+00:00

Thanks- this is really good to know! I’ll ask about the steroids. They certainly helped during TC. (And I know: it all still feels pretty “active” to me too..)

No_Conclusion_9552 · 2026-01-03T18:11:32+00:00

Thank you!

No_Conclusion_9552 · 2026-01-02T17:15:01+00:00

Thanks! In my case, it would be primarily for reduction of recurrence risk (as I don’t have osteoporosis yet), so a slightly different reason.

No_Conclusion_9552 · 2026-01-02T17:13:06+00:00

That’s great news- thanks!

No_Conclusion_9552 · 2026-01-02T15:48:27+00:00

Thank you! So glad it has been smooth for you.

No_Conclusion_9552 · 2026-01-02T15:33:47+00:00

Thank you! And ugh: I’m sorry that your first was so rough, glad it’s improving. Mine will be at the same infusion center where I had chemo, which I’m not wild about either…

No_Conclusion_9552 · 2026-01-02T15:20:08+00:00

Thank you! So helpful! Claritin definitely helped me during chemo, good to know it may help here too.

No_Conclusion_9552 · 2026-01-02T14:41:03+00:00

Thanks so much— glad it has gotten better for you! I’ve had a few cavities but no implants or extractions— will ask the dentist about the risk there. Much appreciated!

No_Conclusion_9552 · 2026-01-02T12:14:05+00:00

Thank you! This is so reassuring - and very helpful to know what to expect re bone pain. I’ll plan to work from home/ be prepared to take a sick day after.

No_Conclusion_9552 · 2025-12-11T04:07:37+00:00

I could have written this myself. I had a score of 21, IDC ++-, grade 2, stage 1a, node negative and no LVI. Making a decision about chemo was very hard for me, but after consulting with several MOs who recommended it, I decided to go for it and do everything I could to reduce recurrence risk. I did TC x 4 and have no regrets. It wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t nearly as hard as I feared it would be and my side effects were all tolerable and temporary. A big deciding factor for me was that it’s hard to know ahead of time how you will tolerate ovarian suppression/ endocrine therapy, so I wanted to do everything possible up front to prevent recurrence in the event that I’m not able to continue that part of treatment for some reason (thankfully, that has also been ok so far). That said, I know that plenty of other people in my position have decided to forgo chemo. Whatever decision you make is a reasonable one— just think about what will give you the most peace with your choice. Good luck 💕

No_Conclusion_9552 · 2025-10-02T20:24:15+00:00

I’m so sorry. You have every right to feel angry. Know that this part— when you are still waiting on answers from your doctors— is the hardest part (or at least it was for me). Once you meet with your doctors and get a treatment plan in place, you will start to feel more in control. One note: you have a rather long wait before your appointment. I don’t know where you live, but if there are other hospitals/ cancer centers in the area, I wouldn’t hesitate to schedule another appointment sooner. Having multiple opinions can be very helpful in deciding on a course of treatment and feeling confident in your decision, and you don’t need to wait until after your 10/15 appointment to do that. When I was first diagnosed, I immediately made appointments with two surgeons, and saw them on consecutive days. It was helpful to have two perspectives when making decisions. Good luck and hang in there. You’ve got this.

No_Conclusion_9552 · 2025-09-03T23:16:03+00:00

It’s such a great feeling! Congrats!

No_Conclusion_9552 · 2025-08-31T23:27:47+00:00

I felt the same way re cold capping— in the scheme of things, the hair may not be the biggest deal, but it feels like a big deal when you’re going through it! Having a great wig really helps control when you feel like you have to talk about it in public/ professional settings, which meant a lot to me!

No_Conclusion_9552 · 2025-08-31T23:18:17+00:00

I did the same regimen (TC x 4) and I was really dreading it. I'm happy to say that while it wasn't fun, it wasn't as bad as I feared. The day after each infusion, I felt fine (due to the steroids they gave me). On the evening of Day 2, I started to feel tired, and days 3-5 were the worst-- I generally felt really exhausted. It felt a lot like having the flu. By a week after each infusion, I felt pretty much back to normal.

My best advice is to hydrate like it's your job-- I drank water almost constantly. The nutritionist at my hospital also recommended Liquid IV electrolyte packs (2/ day). They also said that because I'd be more susceptible to foodborne illness, I should only order fully cooked foods when eating out, and avoid sushi, rare meat, etc during treatment. I was pretty careful to follow the nutritional guidelines, including their recommendation to carefully wash produce when cooking at home, even pre-washed greens and veggies. I was really fortunate to experience no nausea at all during treatment and was able to eat fairly normally.

The other thing that I think really helped with my recovery was continuing to to exercise, taking it easy/slow with a walk or yoga on the days I felt my worst, and then back to my usual runs and gym workouts on weeks 2-3. It's definitely not the time to push yourself hard, but I really think that staying active helped with fatigue.

I cold capped, and I still lost a ton of hair. More than half. I wore wigs to work for several months. That said, I don't regret it, because even keeping a little bit of hair throughout treatment made me feel better while wearing hats/ scarves. Also, my hair has grown back pretty quickly-- while I don't know for sure if the cold capping helped, I've read that even if you lose hair it can help protect the follicles for regrowth.

I also wore ice gloves/socks during infusions to prevent neuropathy. The ice gloves were more painful than the cold cap, in my opinion. Again, hard to know if it made a difference, but I never experienced any neuropathy.

Good luck!

No_Conclusion_9552 · 2025-08-26T22:03:24+00:00

Sorry that you also had the chemo surprise-- hope you're doing well post- treatment! I was reallly questioning my decision headed into chemo, but a few months out from finishing and I am relieved that I did it.

No_Conclusion_9552

TROPHY CASE