Hello all, I hope it’s OK to post this. I am now 71 yeas old. However on Christmas Eve 2024 I received a diagnosis of Breast Cancer. Very traumatic time. However it turns out I had Stage 1 and it was very treatable. I did not hear those words just the dreaded C word.
I have had surgery, partial reconstruction, radiotherapy and now have l,ymphoedema in my right breast. I have been taking Letrozole.
I don’t want to make a fuss as I was so very lucky and feel guilty for still getting anxieties as so many others have undergone much later stages than me.
When I started with Letrozole I was OK, but about 5 months later I started getting severe joint, muscle and bone pains. I put it down to bad posture and too much computer work. I have undergone 4 weeks of an 8 week course for Alexander Therapy to help with this - another 4 to go starting in January.
However my Doctor did a series of blood tests for me and all came back “normal”. So I contacted my Breast Care team and these pains are a normal side effect to Letrozole.
I am now being put on Tamoxifen for a trial period. However I am assured that my “predicted” recurrence is very low so I want to stop I should be OK?? I prefer to take something because then I feel I am doing something to help myself? Is this “NORMAL”.
I’ve no idea about Tamoxifen so hope it is OK.
ALSO I am due to have my first mammorgram since Surgery on 22nd January and am feeling very anxious about that, especially as I have Lymphoedema. Is this “NORMAL” too?
One of the problems I have had is my age, every body I’ve meant on courses have all been at least 20 years younger than me so I feel really stupid for making any sort of fuss over a stage 1 diagnosis. I’ve no idea what Normal is any more!!
Hope this makes sense and that it’s OK to post these stupid anxieties of mine.
Hello @maureen4 It’s nice to meet you although the circumstances are a bit rubbish aren’t they
I’m very early in my journey so I can’t comment or offer advice I’m sorry. I just wanted to say that whatever you are feeling is normal. Cancer doesnt discriminate. Age, race, gender. It is life changing. We are all branded in one way or another with it. Physically and mentally. It gives us an opportunity to experience real dread and worry like nothing else. One thing I know now is that I used to worry an awful lot about nothing haha
The changes in your medication are sure to highten your anxiety as well as your first mammogram. Of course your feelings are completely normal and justified
Hi @maureen4 I’m now 70 and have recently gained agreement with the head onco to stop endocrine treatment after three years. I also had a Grade 1 tumour (with some low grade DCIS). I’m two years further on than you and can assure you that whilst your anxiety is completely natural and understandable, it does get better as time goes on. I’ve had three annual mammos since active treatment finished and each one has been stressful but thankfully, all three show no evidence of disease. Two more to go and then it will be elective mammos which I think I’ll do once every two years. You are only one year on so still quite early on in the “coming to terms with it” process. Please don’t beat yourself up about it, there is no set timeframe for moving on - if we ever do completely, which I very much doubt. Nor is it helpful to compare yourself with anyone else’s situation as there are as many individual stories as there are people diagnosed - differences in histology, differences in age, differences in personality, differences in comorbidities, differences in domestic set up, differences in past experiences - so you cannot be compared to anyone else really.
Might it be an idea to have a word with your GP about your anxiety to see if you can be given something to help? Are you aware of your Predict scores? Obviously they are a bit of a wet finger in the air but it is what the medics use so must have some value and may help you to take a decision about whether to continue with Tamoxifen or not. Do you think it might help to investigate the Moving Forward course here at Breast Cancer Now? You can find out more about it by pressing this pink link Moving Forward | Breast Cancer Now
I remember you from your diagnosis, Maureen, so am sending big hugs.
