Hi Katie,

I think you should definitely get a second opinion. From my understanding, there is no formal "rule of thumb" of when to get chemo and radiation, it is pretty much up to the doctor's discretion, so it is probably best to get an opinion from a major cancer center. At first my surgeon said I probably wouldn't need chemo, but sent me to a medical oncologist anyway for a consultation. The medical oncologist thuoght it would be best to go ahead and do the chemo, since I had two nodes positive. I also wanted to be as aggressive as possible with the cancer, given the high recurrence rate.

I had small doses of weekly cisplatin, and to be honest it was the easiest part of treatment for me. No hair loss (except from the radiation), and the nausea was mostly controlled by the medicine.

Good luck! I hope you are able to get in for a second opinion soon!