Woohoo .... I signed off with my Onc yesterday
It is nearly 8 years since my lump was discovered in Oct 2017, Biopsy in Dec, Surgery in mid Jan 2018 .... 4 weeks of radiation & just over 7 years of Hormone Suppressing tablets .... and I am now officially FINISHED with my treatment! I have officially been 'signed off' by my Onc! Back in 2018, I originally started with a male Onc - who didn't really have any interest in treating me - his first question was "Well, what are you here for?" (He hadn't even looked at my diagnosis/surgery/Radiation history!) Then he didn't believe me when I told him of my horrible side effects from the first AI that I was put on! So when he went on leave & I was lucky enough to see his Locum (a lovely Sth American Onc.) She immediately changed me to another AI (after a break of a few weeks) and 6 months later, to a third AI, that I then remained on for the next 7 years! I also swapped over to her at that appointment, and have been with her ever since - she was also my husband's Onc! So never be afraid to ask about changing from one AI to another if you are experiencing nasty side effects. And if you don't 'get on' with your Onc .... consider changing them too!!! 😉 It is SUCH a nice feeling! I thought I may become a bit emotional, but I was surprisingly cool, calm & collected!! My Onc even gave me a big hug & sent me on my way, wishing me all the best! She also said to Stay away from the Regional BreastScreen Buses and continue having my yearly mammogram and ultrasound at the facility that I've been attending for over 7 years now .... I have 100% faith in them. Their specialist Breast Cancer Ultrasound operator is the BEST - and I've been able to request her on all my visits so far & will continue to request her on my upcoming scans! hehe, I also had to confess to her that I had started weaning myself off the AIs from about Xmas .... as I was going to WA in May/June for a big Kayak Fishing Adventure ... and I wanted to be totally 'pain free' for that - and she said WELL DONE!! (Technically, I should have stopped taking them after 5 years, but I had requested to stay on a bit longer for the extra 18 months as 'backup'!) At the time, she said there was no medical proof to show that an extra 2 years would either benefit or hinder me - so said I could. So, I was not surprised when she was not at all concerned that I had finished a bit earlier. 🙂 (But I'd like to point out that you REALLY SHOULD discuss any change in taking your meds with your Onc before doing so!) I also left her with some information on the Otis Foundation, to pass on to the local Breast Care Nurse - Otis is a wonderful philanthropic organisation that organises the use of various Holiday Houses (donated by members of the public, many of whom have had family members with BC.) There are 'retreats' (as they are called) all around the country and they are made available from a few days to a week, to Breast Cancer patients for no fee. You just have to 'get there' and bring your food with you. All bedding etc is supplied. Some places are pet friendly - most aren't! You can also take family members and friends with you for the well deserved break. Your Onc/Breast Care Nurse/GP just needs to sign a form saying you are 'up to it'! Jump onto this site & check them out. There is usually a waiting period for some of the more popular ones (most are not available in school holidays) so the earlier you contact them to see if you can book one in ... the better! Give it a go! https://www.otisfoundation.org.au/donated-properties I also gave her a bunch of cards/brochures regarding a wonderful Victorian initiative (called Mending Casts) that runs 3 day Fly Fishing Retreats (once again at no cost) for women with Breast Cancer called Casting for Recovery.(They have recently extended it to women with ANY cancer!) They also have retreats for Men with Cancer too (called Reel Recovery.) Pretty well everyone running the program have been personally touched by cancer at one stage or another (by way of family members or friends) and they just love 'giving back' ... putting a smile on the dial - whether fish are caught, or not! You don't have to come from a fishing background to attend ... they supply all the equipment & show you how to use it (and fly casting is a gentle form of arm exercise too!).... and often there is a Look Good, Feel Better session as well (where you are shown how to use make-up effectively, and scarves to create a 'special look' whilst going thru/recovering from chemo) and a couple of chat groups, to discuss your journey so far - with those who've been thru it themselves, so they 'get it'!! They have a BC psychologist attending and also a couple of Paramedics who are qualified counsellors. I attended a retreat a couple of years back & it was just terrific. A few friends (and one husband) have also attended in the last 2 years and found it very therapeutic. I am still in touch with a few of the girls on my retreat! You don't have to live in Vic to attend ..... l drove down from NSW, visiting friends along the way, both down & back, so turned it into a 2 week road trip, fishing all along the way! Canberra has their own group ... but I think that Vic is the only other state doing the program just now. I would encourage everyone to 'give it a go' when you are well enough to attend!! All the info on the retreats can be found here. https://www.mendingcasts.org/casting-for-recovery-retreats-vic Even tho I've finished all my treatment, I'll still hang around on here .... 😉 Take care, & definitely consider checking out the above to 'retreats'!! Cos you DESERVE IT!