I’m in the USA. We have MedWatch, which is monitored by our FDA. I’ll look into it. Thanks for the suggestion. Here’s my favorite pond. Peace.
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Thanks @Tulip29, it’s good to know that there is info out there to support options should I need to go down this route.
Hi, jayesse-- I’m in GA. The pond is on the Wesleyan College campus. I feed birds, turtles, ducks, geese and lots of birds and ducks just passing through. It’s my happy place. And the stables. You can check out my Instagram page if you’re in the mood for lots of nature pictures. @gaxanadu97 
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@jayesse just want to say that I am so grateful for this subject being posted. It is so good to know that I am not alone with my treatment struggles and fears. Living alone with no family or help when the side effects are crippling to the point that I truly cannot cope has had to make me consider what treatments I do and do not have. The treatments are there to help and give us a better chance to fight our cancer but for me I feel that a living hell from SE’s is not what I want. I am 58 and have lost all of my immediate family, I lost my mum to BC, she was only 66 ( diagnosed at 59 ), and she had so many chemos over just 6 years. I haven’t made all of my decisions yet on treatments, I will try what I can based on my onc’s recommendations but I will ultimately be going for quality of life rather than length if the SE’s are too much for me to cope with. xx
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Hello @lucy99
I am so sorry to read that you are going through all of this alone. It is hard enough when you have people to support you.
It’s really important that you talk to your treatment team about every stage of your treatment before you make your decisions. Like you i think there is a need to balance out living longer and living better when it comes to side effects from certain treatments. But to make your decisions you need them to give you your information - your percentage benefits with/without medications etc.
Whatever you decide to do I would highly recommend that you try some supporting therapies to help you. These are not an alternative to the conventional treatment but a way to help you support yourself through it i.e. with exercise, relaxation, mindfulness, diet etc. have a look at the Penny Brohn website. This amazing charity offers so much support, a lot of it online, and you can access it wherever you are in the UK. Also, Breast Cancer Now have great support on offer - including Someone Like Me where they arrange for you to talk on the phone with someone who has had a similar experience to your own. This may not be clinical - it might be about dealing with it all when you’re living alone. I’ve accessed their help and it’s very good.
Wishing you all the best xx
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@lucy99 I’m sorry you find yourself here and that this subject is important to you. Sorry to hear you are alone but as @jayesse has said there is so much support out there.
MacMillan and Maggie’s both offer support in person and online.
This forum is really friendly and supportive. The BCN nurses and Domeone like Me are great resources.
- Helpline: 0808 800 6000 (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm; Sat 9am-1pm). Speak to our trained helpline team. No questions are too big or too small.
- Ask Our Nurses: You can message our nurses here on the forum, or confidentially. Whatever you prefer.
- Someone Like Me: Will match you with a trained volunteer who’s had a similar experience to you. They’ll be a phone call or email away to answer your questions, offer support, or simply listen. Call on 0800 138 6551 or contact our email volunteers
Take care
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Hi, lucy99–I live alone, too. What little family I have left are 2 hours away. I went to all my appointments and treatments by myself. I was okay until my last radiation treatment. I didn’t want to ring the bell because there was nobody to hear it. It was in the lobby and far away from the sweet techs that I had grown to know and love.
Whatever treatments you decide on, be sure to have a friend go with you to that last treatment. It didn’t even occur to me and I had a number of supportive friends who would have been there for me.
You may not have any bad side effects so don’t be afraid to try whatever your oncologist suggests for you. You can stop at any time but it’s worth a try. Compared to my 67 year old creaky self, 58 sounds so young to me. We’re all here to support you along the way. Take good care of yourself. P.S. My caregiver is named Lucy, too.
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Episode 154 Podcast
Dr Liz O’Riordan talking about all things Breast Cancer and she mentions the little white pill (Tamoifen) that the doctor gives you and how the side effects were horrible she wanted to throw them away.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 Intro
10:19 Cancer: A Slow, Unseen Process
17:24 Turmeric Supplements: Absorption Challenges
20:10 Exposing the Juicing Myth
25:15 Parabens: Safety in Skin Absorption
31:50 Tamoxifen Side Effects
35:21 Empowered Patients: Advocating for Change
39:40 Struggle with Hormone Blocker Side Effects
52:38 Understanding Your Motivations for Health Choices
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I just quit in February. I’ll look at the replies, since I’m also not sure where to turn. I feel guilty. And scared. But I’m not miserable now. (Took a month for relief). Ty for posting.
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I also tend towards anxiety and with the anastrozole first, then letrozole, I was a mess. Being in pain exacerbated it as well, as my relief is always physical activity, and I was deprived of that due to pain
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Hello @tortlady
I hope the pain has gone now and you are feeling less anxious. How long were you on the hormone blockers before having to stop them? What have you planned to help yourself stay as well as possible?
A lot of people have shared ideas of ways they help themselves on here and places where you can get help and support. I hope you find something that is relevant to you.
Wishing you all the best xx
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Thank you! Much of the pain is gone except for trigger thumb and knee arthritis. I feel better emotionally, except this recent apprehension from stopping. I plan to eat even healthier and of course keep up with my supplements.
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