Yes my areola (isn’t that a bus company?) has a bruised tinge to it and I put that down to exactly that, ongoing bruising. Someone said at some point somewhere that we bruise inside out..?
My surgeon examined me 2 weeks ago and didn’t say anything, but there again I didn’t point it out.
I’m 2 weeks into no Letrozole and am feeling better plus BP is down to where it was. I’ve 2 more weeks to decide whether to try again or not. Surgeon made a very good point, she said my risk of stroke could be higher than my risk of a 3rd BC recurrence. Hmmm, lots to think about as my major stresses have also reduced (thank goodness!) so it could’ve been either or stress/lovely Letrozole causing BP hike. I suppose the only way to find out is to give it another go
I hope everyone’s doing ok and looking forward to some festivities? I’m sure it’ll be bittersweet for some but an opportunity to reflect and rest a bit hopefully.
Glad to hear I’m not alone in the “brown ringed” dept. It’s very strange looking, that’s for sure …
It’s so good to hear that your BP is back down again. My shot up as well, but I’m back to normal now too.
I do wonder, in the wee small hours, if the breast units just put everyone on meds- regardless of recurrence risk- simply because there are just sooo many of us being diagnosed? I guess it’s financially sensible for the nhs to put us all on cheap meds, rather than have a small percentage needing further hospital treatment But, for us, our motivation is to both stay cancer free and live a long and HEALTHY life too.
Your surgeon’s comment about your stroke risk certainly resonates. Regardless of what caused your high BP, it’s going to be important for you to mitigate your risk going forward. I don’t know if you’ve had high bp before BC but I know mine came back down when I came off of anastrozole… it has stayed down and I’ve had some stressful stuff going on since- it’s still stable
My onc has suggested trying exemestane (being as it’s the only one left on the table for me, it’s not surprising- I’ve got a prescription here already ) But , I don’t need to decide until the new year.
. I’m still not sure tbh. I’m very wary because I felt so rough before, that I’m not sure I can face going through it again. My recurrence risk is so low and I really worry about my long term health on these. Mostly because I have so much heart trouble in my family (both sides) that I’m paranoid about looking after my own. My late mother had her first heart attack in her 30’s. So the increased risk of blood clots etc is to be taken seriously given my genetics! I’m still mulling it over and I’m not going to rush into anything.
As my onc said I “have the luxury of being able to step away” because of my good stats… Sadly, that isn’t the same for all of us, and I feel deeply for those of us that have to make harder choices to stay cancer free. But we all share the same desire to fight this shit and get on with our lives as best we can.
Hey lovely, I’m on the train to work and just listened to this podcast (hopefully link will work ). Apart from this guy having the sexiest voice I found it helpful for my current thinking
I’m also finding logging my sleep and mood daily is enlightening alongside any significant events that may be causes as I’m seeing a pattern emerge that isn’t necessarily related to BC but more to do with my weekly routine
Onwards eh. Hb is putting up Christmas decs while I’m out at work today. It’s also our wedding anniversary so a nice evening to look forward to
Love to all, and hey @smak , hope you’re doing well lovely x
I’ve got an oncologist appt today to follow up on how it’s going with Letrozole which is easy to answer
I’m gonna ask about risks again to see if I can get some sort of percentage figure as I’ve never been told those and hope that they give me them. I think that will help make the decision about whether to try going back on the Letrozole.
That was an interesting podcast Bella, thanks. The oncotype test info was very informative. It just proves how crucial it is that we all know as much as possible about our own pathology and risks. Knowledge is power
Absolutely right about the voice … made me want to ‘slip into something a little more comfortable’ lol! He sounds like melted chocolate (the hard stuff!) lol!
Hope Charlotte had a productive appointment today with her onc
Good morning ladies. Hope everything was okay yesterday @misswoof-88
I had a lovely chat with the onc who explained about NHS Predict and how it worked. She showed us a graph and explained what each line meant and whilst they are always hopeful for no reoccurrence, the hormone therapy can be instrumental in increasing the chances of the bugger staying away. If I had just had the lump that I found myself then she would have understood me stopping the Letrozole and she wouldn’t have been happy but she would have gone with it. However as the 2nd lump was an invasive mixed carcinoma which was fast growing she would rather me persevere as that’s the one they want to stop coming back. The second lump was deep and well hidden and only showed up on the mri which I obviously only had due to my little friend that we could feel. She said that they would give me regular appts in person or by phone every few months for the first year to talk about how the tablets were going if that made me feel any better about taking them. I really felt that she was being honest with us and wasn’t just insisting that I take them cos that’s just how it is do I agreed that I would give them another go. My notes now say in capital letters NO AMAROX MUST BE CIPLA so let’s see how they works! I have a box of Accord here unopened from last month that I didn’t take so I’m just weighing up whether to try the brand to see what the SEs are and if they’re any better than the original Cipla as I understand from some online research that can be hard to find
Blood test and X-ray results next Thursday and bone scan on the 5th Jan (Lily’s birthday!) so hopefully that should be hospitals done for a while
Anyway back to work today so fingers crossed they’ve got the heating sorted at the office or ill be back home pretty quickly
It sounds like you finally got the answers that you needed, so that’s good. You needed that to understand your own situation, and to make an informed decision on your ongoing treatment. It definitely sounds like you have a need for AI’s. But actually knowing exactly why you need them really helps.
Ok, so it’s not what you wanted, but you can now get your head around it and crack on Your onc sounds good and I’m sure they will now step up and help you to deal with the SE (as they should). I wish you luck lovie. I was thinking of you yesterday.
My appointment was not so productive. It wasn’t BC related. I have psoriasis (it’s in my family). Obviously, given the last 6 months, it’s in the move and pretty bad. I saw the dermatologist yesterday to talk about systemic treatment rather than topical.
Seems the BC is a problem with the med I think would be best. So, it’s back to the drawing board until she can get advice. I’m supposed to go back after Christmas but she said that they are so behind with appointments, that it could be March/April before I get another appointment though . I’m seriously considering getting a private appointment, which I shouldn’t have of course, but at least it would get me sorted quicker. And then I can tick another one off the list!
I’m still battling with my sore shoulder/arm. It’s been a nightmare trying to get a referral. I contacted PALS yesterday, so we will see what comes of that.
But, for us, our motivation is to both stay cancer free and live a long and HEALTHY life too.
) But , I don’t need to decide until the new year.
and get on with our lives as best we can.
). Apart from this guy having the sexiest voice 
I found it helpful for my current thinking
… made me want to ‘slip into something a little more comfortable’ lol! He sounds like melted chocolate (the hard stuff!) lol!
