For every woman, there is a chemotherapy regimen best suited to you. But you want to make sure that you and your doctor discuss all of your breast cancer factors in order to define the problem before you choose the solution. The need for chemotherapy depends on much more than just whether your lymph nodes are involved. Medical oncologists also need to consider tumor size, hormone receptor status, grade, and oncogene expression. Having a mastectomy DOES NOT eliminate the need for chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy is much easier to tolerate today than even a few years ago.
Medically, there are more effective medications to help you handle tough side effects. To help you emotionally, there are support groups, greater general awareness about and sympathy for the breast cancer battle, and even better wigs if you lose your hair during treatment. Do not make any final decisions about chemotherapy until you have discussed your choices with a medical oncologist.