Hi all,
It’s been a while since I posted.
Recently I have decided to have a break from tamoxifen. My breast cancer nurse is supportive of a break and I may not go back on it. I have been taking it for almost 2.5 years. The NHS predict tool suggests that the the difference in recurrence is small for me.
Anyway, the intention of this post is to be positive. So, despite breast cancer still being the gift that keeps on giving I am going to try to focus on the positives.
I am doing more walking and pilates. If I hadn’t developed lymphoedema I would not be so motivated (gentle exercise is the most effective way to manage the swelling)
I have started journaling.
I have to rest more, which I often find frustrating. Restful activities can feel good, especially craft.
I hope this post resonates. It’d be good to have a thread with other people’s positives.
Hi Katie
Thanks for the positivity!
I am 4 weeks post end of treatment and have been on tamoxifen for 3 months.
Cancer has blighted my life for 8 months and I have decided I’m not going to let it steal any more of my joy!
I have some lovely holidays to look forward to that were postponed from last year.
I also know how lucky I am that it was caught when it was so I am going to move and look forward.
Sending love to you xx
I’m over a year post diagnosis- triple positive. Had 3 cycles of EC and 3 cycles of Docetaxel and herceptin. During each cycle I managed to “run” a half marathon. I had surgery in August- lumpectomy and mammoplasty. Then came through bombshell that I had clear margins but had not had a PCR so Kadcyla was thrown at me. I am now 8 cycles in of 14. I had 8 sessions of radiotherapy in October. I will not let this wreck my life- I am back doing pilates and Zumba, back at park run. I am attending art classes and a Rock choir. We have just moved to the seaside and I am grateful every day we live here. I am training to be a ticket inspector on a steam train and last week I set out to do a half marathon but carried on and did 28km. Letrozole causes horrendous joint and muscle pain at times and I have just developed post radiotherapy fibrosis. Oh the gift which keeps on giving! But keep moving,.grab every opportunity. Life is more than this wretched disease.
hi @gromit12 Reading your post has just given me so much hope. I start EC on the 13th March for 3 doses, 1 every 3 weeks, and then move on to Paclitaxel every week for 9 weeks with Herceptin which will be for a year. I live alone and only have a cousin left in my family, my biggest concern is being well enough to function. I really don’t want to be ill, I don’t want all of these lovely side effects but my biggest worry of all is not being well enough to do things for myself so you have really given me something positive to hope for. Thank you so much for post and inspiration xx
All the very best to you @lucy99 my starting point has always been “I am fit and healthy, and can do what I want”. It’s just that every 3 weeks they have been trying to poison me and make me ill!! Don’t let it beat you. You’ve got this
I made exactly the same decision as you. I took a break from Tamoxifen but then decided, NOPE, I’m not restarting it.
Life is for living and I needed to reclaim ME.
Tamoxifen had left me feeling like a stranger had taken over my body and mind and I couldn’t imagine 5 - 10 years of feeling that way.
Almost 2 years on and although I still have some menopause symptoms I’m me again and don’t regret my choice at all.
I’m just at the start of my treatment journey but already considering whether I would want to be on Tamoxifen for any length of time, given the side effects. I don’t consider myself high risk for recurrence and would rather manage that risk through lifestyle rather than medication.
xx
