I think I am reading too much :(

The ones that post are the ones who need help usually. So there’s many more women living a perfectly healthy and active life who don’t post. You can change meds until you find one that doesn’t cause severe side effects, if you even get any at all. Don’t stress about something that might not happen, and reading about it for a longer time makes it seem much worse than it it. 

Hi @looeeze,
You are already ahead of the game in many ways, as you are fit and disciplined enough to exercise. Well done. Also, within reason, and when you feel recovered enough, go back to work! It keeps your mind busy and gives you a social life. Watch out for overdoing it, though. I did, and ended up very sore and fatigued. Just be sensible. I'm still getting to know how much I can do without ending up with muscle and joint pain. I have to be careful not to overdo thing, especially in the heat. It's a learning curve for sure.  :)

dear looeeze - I’m feeling like you to be honest , after going through chemo, then surgery ‘lumpectomy and about to start radiation and hormone therapy. Im dreading hormone treatment but am trying to,remain positive and will,talk to my oncologist in next week about options should the side effects be a issue.  Trying to see positives in my future and not dwell on it . It’s not easy. It’s nice to hear from others like Afraser, and blossom . Good luck with your path.

Dear @looeeze

I was much older when I started Femara (eight years plus now) but I have been much more active since diagnosis than before. It’s partly, as @Deanne says, to limit the impact. Nothing to equal her, but a much healthier mix of walking, yoga and exercise. I live a normal, active life. What I don’t have are aches, pains, flushes etc. @Blossom1961 is right, you can change to ameliorate side effects. Bottom line, you can also stop. So it’s worth giving the hormone blockers a go and see how it works for you. Grieving your life pre-cancer can be a necessary step to moving forward, but it can also be an obstacle to seeing new opportunities. If the grief lingers, a counsellor may assist in looking to your emotional health, which is every bit as important in cancer recovery, but sometimes overlooked. Best wishes. 

Hi Looeeze,
I don’t post on here much anymore but just wanted to share my experience because it might help you to feel a bit more hopeful. I was 47 at diagnosis and had never been as active as I would have liked. I had hormone positive invasive breast cancer in left breast and 5 nodes, 3 of those extensively. I had a mastectomy, 6 months of chemo, radiotherapy and have been on either Tamoxifen or Femara since November 2013. Also had ovaries removed at 49.

I used my diagnosis as motivation to live a healthier lifestyle and have been very active ever since. Bush walking long distances and weightlifting to minimize the effects of Femara on my bone density. I lost 9 kg in the first 12 months after active treatment and for my 3 year anniversary of diagnosis, my husband and I trekked to Everest Base Camp to raise money for the Cancer Council. It was the most amazing experience of my life and I know that it would not have happened if not for my change in direction and priorities. I went on a second trek the following year and felt even fitter and healthier. 

It has got tougher the longer I have been on the hormone treatments and injuries to tendons have plagued me in the past 2 years. After discussion with my oncologist last week she has decided that 7 years and 3 months of hormone treatment will be enough for me. She is very aware of the balance between treatment and the impact on the rest of your health.

I am looking forward to keeping myself as active and healthy as I can as I go forward. It will be my 8th year anniversary since diagnosis in May and I hope to be enjoying life long into the future. My experience is that leading an active life is possible on hormone treatment and good communication with your oncologist can help to minimize the impact on the rest of your health. She made changes to my treatment to ensure I could keep both cancer free and have a good quality of life.

Hi @looeeze I think every one of us on this forum have had doom and gloom moments. The chemo toxins send our emotions crazy on an already crazy rollercoaster after getting our diagnosis. Hormone drugs can be changed until you find one that suits you. even changing suppliers can make a difference. Some people do not have any side effects so try to keep the worry to a minimum. You may be in that no side effects group. Sending big hugs