I have one of those unsightly arms but I am 30 years out from my breast cancer diagnosis and don’t regret the extreme chemo or the removal of a large amount of lymph nodes. I was a single parent and still had four children in school. I had a very aggressive cancer and it called for aggressive treatment. Don’t second guess my treatment. I worked with a woman who was told she only needed a lumpectomy. She died 5 years later.
Sometimes, the doctor isn’t “exaggerating” or “just wanting to get his way”. It’s good that you listened to sound medical advice. Your kids have been blessed to still have you in their lives.