I’m 76 years old. I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer 2 weeks after my husband of 51 years passed away. The first weeks, diagnosis, surgery, radiation were a big blur. I found this site and learned a lot just from reading posts. I started with Anastrozole, but the side effect were terrible. Right now I’m taking a break but may try Letrozole. My doctor agrees that I will stop if once again the side effects are bad. Other than that I’m feeling good, eating healthy and starting to excercise again. I pray that all of you find the peace that I have.
9 Likes
Welcome @diana3249. My condolences on the loss of your husband, it must have been very hard for you. I was my mother’s carer as she lived with dementia and I was diagnosed a few months after her passing, when I was about to turn 67, so I have some understanding on how odd it is dealing with a cancer diagnosis when you are grieving. I am very glad that you have found the forum to be useful and even more so that you have introduced yourself. I am almost three years on from diagnosis, also stage 1, and whilst I am always aware of the prospect of recurrence, other than that I would say I have found peace with it too.
With regard to the AI, I am on Letrozole and it is almost interchangeable with Anastrozole. It may be worth trying a switch to Letrozole or discussing with your oncologist/breast cancer nurse about trying Exemestance which is a steroidal AI which some women find easier to tolerate. Others try Tamoxifen although it is less effective for post-menopausal women than an AI. On the other hand, there is a body of women in their later years who have decided that quality of life trumps quantity and have given up endocrine treatment altogether, it is a very personal decision but another thing to discuss with your team if you think fit. Welcome once again.
3 Likes
Hello @diana3249
I am so sorry to read that you lost your husband and then had to deal with your diagnosis within the space of a couple of weeks. That is an awful lot of very tough emotions to have to deal with at the same time. I hope you have a good support network around you to help you as you navigate your way through it all.
I wish you all the best with the remainder of your treatment and am sending you a hug. X
1 Like
@diana3249 welcome to the forum! I am so sorry about the loss of your husband but well done for getting through this far. So glad you’re at peace regarding the situation. I am a year down the line with chemo, surgery and radiotherapy, and am now plodding through Kadcyla. I’m on Letrozole which generally is ok, providing I keep moving xx