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JMS's avatar
JMS
Member
15 years ago

Newcomer

I am in my 60th year and, two weeks ago was told , for a second time, that I had a cancer in my right breast. In July 2001 I had a cancer and two lymph nodes removed in a partial mastectomy. Every year I went for my routine mammogram and came away again without event. During this year's routine mammogram (26th March) and on my tenth anniversary free of cancer, I was told that I would have to have a complete mastectomy of my right breast. This done, I am remarkably well with minimal physical discomfiture, nd no mental or emotional affect. The only thing I now have to think about is Tomoxifen, prescribed by the Dr, and the worrying side effects possible in this medication. June

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  • JMS's avatar
    JMS
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Sarah

    Thank you so much for responding to my posting. It is good to hear from other women in the same situation. I have been very lucky neither to have experienced any side effects from previous radiotherapy nor through menopause (wouldn't know what a hot flush was!). So I shall have to be prepared for that to change.  I guess one has to weigh up the side-effects associated with taking medication against the risk of cancer returning. It's probably a no-brainer in the end but at least talking to others and researching the information gives time for one's psychological makeup to adjust!

    Thanks again. Regards June

  • JMS's avatar
    JMS
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Sarah

    Thank you very much for responding to my post. It is good to hear from women in the same situation. I did not have any side effects from the radiotherapy I had last time and nor have I ever had any problems with menopause (no hot flushes, weight gain, depression, etc) so it will be an adjustment for me to have any side-effects at all! I hate taking medication at the best of times (don't we all), but, I guess if the possible alternative is worse then any minimal risks in taking the medication must be worth it. Thanks again for your response and the tips you gave.

    June

  • Kath_Perrin's avatar
    Kath_Perrin
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi June

    Our two stories are very similar. I too have been diagnosed twice in the last seven years by "routine mammogram" and undergone two mastectomies however my pathology was Her2 Positive so Tamoxifen was not an option. I understand the conflict you feel regarding treatment, I cringe when I think about what has been pumped into my body in order to make me "well", but it seems to be working so I am grateful.   It's great to see you are doing your research, asking questions and expressing concerns, all this will help you arrive at an informed decision that is right for you.  Good luck June.

    Kath x

     

  • Sarah_51's avatar
    Sarah_51
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi June

    I really feel for you to go 10 years without BC and then to have a rediagnosis. I had a mastectomy in July 2010 and began tamoxifen a month ago after finishing chemo and radiation treatments. I had already experienced hot flushes with the chemo so don't feel I am having any more of those that is one of the side effects. I take my tablet at night as the Oncologist who prescribed it said it can give you headaches and better to have them in your sleep if you get them luckiy I haven't had any. Joint pains can also be a side effect but again I am still having those from chemo which are no worse maybe even a bit better since I started Vit D and Glucosamine tabs! There are quite a few side effects and there are some blogs on the website from people who have been taking it longer but some how I don't seem to have suffered too badly. I think it all depends on how the tablet suits you.

    Good luck you must be a very strong lady to have this hit you twice and be so philisophical!

    Sarah

  • Sarah_51's avatar
    Sarah_51
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi June

    I really feel for you to go 10 years without BC and then to have a rediagnosis. I had a mastectomy in July 2010 and began tamoxifen a month ago after finishing chemo and radiation treatments. I had already experienced hot flushes with the chemo so don't feel I am having any more of those that is one of the side effects. I take my tablet at night as the Oncologist who prescribed it said it can give you headaches and better to have them in your sleep if you get them luckiy I haven't had any. Joint pains can also be a side effect but again I am still having those from chemo which are no worse maybe even a bit better since I started Vit D and Glucosamine tabs! There are quite a few side effects and there are some blogs on the website from people who have been taking it longer but some how I don't seem to have suffered too badly. I think it all depends on how the tablet suits you.

    Good luck you must be a very strong lady to have this hit you twice and be so philisophical!

    Sarah

  • Sarah_51's avatar
    Sarah_51
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi June

    I really feel for you to go 10 years without BC and then to have a rediagnosis. I had a mastectomy in July 2010 and began tamoxifen a month ago after finishing chemo and radiation treatments. I had already experienced hot flushes with the chemo so don't feel I am having any more of those that is one of the side effects. I take my tablet at night as the Oncologist who prescribed it said it can give you headaches and better to have them in your sleep if you get them luckiy I haven't had any. Joint pains can also be a side effect but again I am still having those from chemo which are no worse maybe even a bit better since I started Vit D and Glucosamine tabs! There are quite a few side effects and there are some blogs on the website from people who have been taking it longer but some how I don't seem to have suffered too badly. I think it all depends on how the tablet suits you.

    Good luck you must be a very strong lady to have this hit you twice and be so philisophical!

    Sarah