Radiation

Hi Peta, glad you are feeling better after your counselling.  Not always hard to park everything else and think of ourselves, but do it we must.
My bone density scan also showed osteopaenia in my left hip which was my main concern in taking Arimidex.  My surgeon will keep any eye on it every 6 months and I will do what I can re diet, exercise and supplements in the meantime.

I was already taking a high dose compounding vitamin D3 capsule weekly - now I've added 2 calcium + K2, 2 glucosamine and a vitamin C.  You should see me try and take these horse pills!  I have to hide them in spoons of yoghurt to get them down!  At least the yogurt is a bit more calcium. I'm not vegetarian, but have a healthy diet.  My husband and I have a vegetarian month 3 or 4 times a year.

I think I'll keep on taking the medication at 8.30am while it's not causing me any issues.  Good to read positive feedback that evenings have helped others.  I'm back at work in 2.5 weeks so that is going to be a good gauge of how well I am doing.

Hope you continue to do well Peta, look forward to chatting again soon.  
take care,
Jane x

Hi Peta,  My journey was a little similar. Lumpectomy, small invasive cancer. Surgery margins clear for invasive and two lymph nodes. Surgeon said no chemo or radiation but I was unlucky that I also had another component of dcis that wasn't clear so more surgery needed.  It is a very anxious time but once we know what the next steps are it is more clear. Doesn't mean we accept it any easier. I have been on tamoxifen for a week now and so far so good. touch wood. Good luck with your counselling and hope it gives you more piece of mind in your journey.take care and best wishes with your recovery.  Maz xx

Hi Jane , thanks for your reply . You are right it is  an emotional roller coaster right now.
ifelt pretty good knowing what I had to do to get through the operation. I have a great surgeon in Jenny Senior , the best hands I could have been in. Was such awesome news to hear no chemo and 95% sure no radio. It's just after 4 weeks I feel like a truck has hit me emotionally.  Counselling today was really good, so I've left everyone else's dramas on the shelf , now it's time to focus back on my journey and get back into my life. After I see the radio guy I will be starting Tamoxifen for 5 years. A recent bone density test revealed Osteopaenia, so I can't take the newer drugs. After reading some ladies experiences on here I feel calmer about it now. It's normal to feel hesitant , as it's unknown how you will react if you do indeed react to the drugs. You feel like you have no control.  Keep thinking positively and hopefully you'll sail through this.
I'm also a person who doesn't like taking medication. I've been a vegetarian for 30 years, gave up smoking and drinking, eat well. ( chocolate is exception lol) have to trust our Docs know what's best for us at this challenging time. 
What I am going to do is take the medication in the evening.  I'm so grateful I have the result that I do, and that this was picked up so early. Forever grateful . I hope you are healing well and continue along with little or no side effects.  Stay in touch and let me know how you are going. Lovely to meet you on here.
Peta X 

Hi Chanel, how wonderful that you got such a great result.  I'm so pleased for you :)  It is an incredibly stressful time, sorry to hear you are struggling at the moment.    

I didn't discover this forum until 5 weeks post op - I wish I had found it earlier.  The posts are so honest with so much understanding and information from women going through the same thing. 

Similar story for me.  I had a left nipple sparing mastectomy 6 weeks ago with immediate implant reconstruction. 
Routine mammogram picked up a 1.3cm invasive ductal carcinoma in my left breast (couldn't be felt).  MRI showed right breast all clear thank goodness.

It was a Grade 1 (nice and slow growing) margins clear, 2 sentinel nodes clear - E+ P+ HER2-

My surgeon advised there would be no need for chemo or radiation (basically with my breast gone there was nothing to radiate) but referred me to an oncologist.   Looking at the histology report, he agreed.  However, as my cancer was hormone receptive he has recommended I take Arimidex for at least 5 years.    Are you taking anything similar?
With the Arimidex it puts me at 5% chance of getting another cancer which is below the general population.

Once I got over the cancer diagnosis, surgery and started healing, the Arimidex caused me the most anxiety.  It took a huge amount courage for me to take that first pill.  I hate even taking panadol and was so stressed after reading all the side effects.  2 weeks in, so far so good.  I'm doing a lot of research and taking vitamins to hopefully counter balance what will be coming my way!

With so much out of our control on this roller coaster, information is power.  I count my blessings for the result I got.  I still can't believe I should be that lucky when so many women are coping with incredible challenges.

Sending you my best wishes and positive thoughts Chanel.  I hope every day is better than the last.

Jane xx