It is the first time I have posted so I am not sure I am in the right place! I was diagnosed in 2012 with grade1/2 BC her2 and hormone positive. I had a right mastectomy and implant reconstruction. I did not have chemo and herceptin at that time because of my husband’s serious illness and moving house. My husband died in November 2015 so I am now alone and live in Highland Scotland. My daughter and sister both have serious and long term illnesses and live a long way away from me. I do have lovely friends from my walking groups.
Early in 2016 I found a new lump in left breast and had a 2nd mastectomy. It was never made clear to me whether this was new primary or secondary. I should have had an axillary clearance but did not go ahead with the op for fear of lymphoemdema which my mum had very seriously as she died of breast cancer when I was 14 The cancer was the same as the first one. I was prescribed letrozole and took it for a while but had lots of side effects.
Late in 2016/7 I found new lumps under the skin on the left side which were cancer when biopsied. I had a CT scan and MRI and it seemed that no mets could be seen in my lungs, liver or bones but some suspicious lumps on my ovaries. I was told I could not be cured now so I am having 6 docetaxol and herceptin ongoing. I have a bad phobia about CT scans although I am OK with MRIs.
I am having my 3rd treatment this week (unless it gets delayed by oncologist). I live alone and I am finding it all very difficult. My main side effects are fatigue and peripheral neuropathy in my feet, which I had a little bit before I started chemo.
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Sometimes I think the treatment is all too much at my age 71 when I just want to enjoy the rest of my life and my grand kids (and great grandkids). I usually really enjoy walking 5 to 8 km with my friends two or three times a week and I have not been able to do this since early June. I am becoming a couch potato and this makes me very unhappy. Sonia