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socoda
Member
8 years ago

Yogibooboo - New Member - Please welcome to the forum!!!

I was dx 21st Dec, 2017 with stage 1, grade 1A bc, hormone positive and Her2 negative so not the worst diagnosis but a cancer diagnosis always seems to incite fear.   

In 2010 my eldest daughter (Rachel) @ 27 yrs was dx with 3rd stage bc (no family history prior to this that we know of).  As she was so young obviously it was devastating news and as a mum watching her go through the various treatments I was heartbroken.  (She is a type 1 diabetic since 9 yrs old).  My youngest daughter, (Jessica) and I are also type 1 diabetics (juvenile diabetes).  Remembering Rachel's struggles through Mastectomy within 3 weeks of dx followed by IVF, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and finally reconstruction which she had major problems and had to remove tissue expanders for six months and re-do the whole thing again left me very wary.  Now that I have told you about our short history in bc.  I am always curious to read how other people feel, react and cope with their individual cases trying to find leveling ground for my own feelings.

My lumpectomy (plus Sentinel Node biopsy - clear) was on 10th Jan, 2018 and at my follow up appt Dr. advised there wasn't a clear margin and he'd have to go in again and remove more tissue.  I am 10 days post this and all is well awaiting Radiotherapy consultation on Wednesday.  It all seems pretty straightforward according to my doctor and so many friends etc.  I feel totally well and coping really fine, yet every now and then feeling a bit shell shocked - am I a wimp?  I don't know, maybe I am.

All that being said I realise I'm quite lucky in that my treatment is way less than my poor daughter and the prognosis is great.  My only question at this time is about the five years hormone treatment - I knew Tamoxifen was an option but my doctor has prescribed Femara which I heard had much worse side effects than Tamoxifen.  I realise everyone is different so it may not be the case for me.  Does anyone have any information or they can share with me on this?  I am telling this story now so that I can look back in a few months/years time and hopefully go, wow so glad it's all over!!!

Thanks for reading my little blurb.

61 yrs young
dx 21/12/2017 Stage 1 Grade 1A
Hormones positive and HER2 negative 
Lumpectomy 10/1/2018
Re-excision 24/1/2018
Radiotherapy - yet to happen
Femara for 5 years

13 Replies

  • Oh thank you Deanne for your very informative reply.  I will definitely keep an eye on things.  I’m currently very fit and played pennants (tennis) as well as crewing on yachts (ie. trimming sails) just prior to dx, so sad I’m out of commission for a while. Definitely hope I don’t get the sore joints etc.  fingers crossed I won’t have too many side effects.
  • Hello @Yogibooboo
    Sounds like you have had a few challenges to cope with and you probably know that support is very important, especially until you sort a few things out for yourself. This is a great place for that.

    I have been on both Tamoxifen and Femara since my diagnosis. 2 years on Tamoxifen, before having my ovaries removed so that I could switch to Femara (just over 2 years on Femara now). While everyone does seem to have their own individual reaction to these drugs, I will share my experience as it may be helpful.

    I had very little reaction to Tamoxifen except for some fairly major mood swings. Femara had almost a calming effect in comparison! I did have some joint/bone/muscle pain when I changed to Femara. It hit with a bang and I was pretty unhappy with it at the time. I was told that this can take a while to settle (other ladies on here and my oncologist). Sure enough it improved a lot by the 3 month mark and just about disappeared by 12 months. 

    A bone density scan is a good idea to check how you are situated before you start on Femara. I had low bone density to start and within 12 months it had really deteriorated at the spine and I was diagnosed with osteoporosis. In the last 12 months I have managed to reverse this and actually build stronger bones through a specialised weightlifting program. There are also medications such as Prolia that can help with this. I preferred the exercise program and think this has also helped to reduce my joint pain and stiffness.

    The other major quality of life effect for me (from Femara) has been vaginal dryness. There is a good support group on here that can help with lots of practical advice on this side effect. I feel that I have found some things that work for me and while this side of life is not how it was, it is ok again now.

    So, while Femara did have more side effects than Tamoxifen for me, I have found ways of improving these so that I really think my quality of life is very good. The main thing is to let your oncologist know the side effects you experience. Many times there are things that can help minimise the side effects. You don’t need to suffer in silence on here. Lots of support and sharing of ideas that have worked for others. Take care and I hope that radiotherapy goes ok. Let us know how you go. xxx
  • Hi @Yogibooboo
    You are not a wimp .... a diagnosis of BC is a major upheaval in our lives.  I am not on those drugs so can't advice you regarding it .... 
    you are doing great remember one day at a time. 

    Soldiercrab