After a week of thinking about it and doing internet research, as well as asking people (mainly other women) their opinions, I decided to go for the chemotherapy option. The chemotherapy involves intravenous treatment every three weeks; 6 rounds of Carboplatin and Docetaxel plus a year's worth of Herceptin (Trastusumab). The day before my first round (9 June) I had surgery to insert an Power Port-a-cath which makes it easier for them to access your main vein. (I was reassured, since I go for Port Adelaide "the Power" in Aussie rules footie, and also it is purple and almost heart-shaped)
I shall have this port bulging slightly from under my skin, just to the left of my breastbone, for the next year or so.
check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_(medical)
My first chemo session lasted six hours, because they dripped the chemicals extremely slowly into my body. I felt fine throughout it. I opted for the Penguin Cold Cap therapy - which entails a "boxer's headguard" and gloves each lined with gel at -22C to be placed on your head and hands respectively, whilst the treatment is being given. I can say that that has been THE most painful thing so far! However, so far (as at 28 June) I have not lost my hair and my nails have not become discoloured.
I was pretty fine for the following two and a half days. After that I became dizzy and lightheaded, and needed to lie down a LOT while strange twinges of 'pins and needles' feelings went through various parts of my body. The anti-nausea medication took care of the nausea quite well, but it (plus surgery) gave me the most AWFUL constipation (why didn't anyone TELL me beforehand???). It took some days to recover as the strange feelings, and muscle cramps, dissapated slowly. After a while my energy increased appreciably, but it's a pity my immunity took a hit ...
I realise I was quite lucky not to have much worse symptoms, but you are quite aware that your body has been poisoned. You have to look after your mouth extra carefully, as well as other skin and membranous areas, because cells there usually divide quite rapidly and they are temporarily stopped from doing so. I am concerned about the long term effects on my heart and liver, and menopause will probably come early (oh, joy!)
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