Hi jelly tot. I was away for a short break when you first posted so haven't managed to add anything yet to all the advice and aupport you've been given but have read your 'story'. I time of huge changes and decisions for you which, as Carolyn has already said, must be making your mind explode!
Although your onc has suggested an oomphorectomy (?sp) it is a big step to take so there's no reason to take it immediately. Can you not start on the zoladex injections and then as and when you decide to, have the op later, especially if you have a period of stability? I think all the newer treatments that are being added to hormone treatments do 'allow' you to be on zoladex if you are post menopausal rather than having to have had your ovaries removed. As the drug you mentioned, ribociclib, is so new I'm assuming you will be on a trial, or will need to fit the trial conditions that the companies who make these newer drugs, and are currently offering them to the NHS for free, have. I know how strict the conditions are to be on a trial so you may have to check with your onc on this. By not having the op immediately it would give you a chance to mourn the fact you won't be able to get pregnant and, who knows, in a year or so maybe advances would have been made to enable this possibility? It should be your choice so it's definitely worth talking to your onc, husband and everyone else you want to, to get a clear view of what you want to do. I had zoladex back in 2003 after my primary (I was 41 at the time and pre menopausal) and had the injections for 2 years. In the scheme of things that's not a long time to have a monthly injection but is time to allow you to decide what you want to do. Btw, afterwards, when my secondaries were diagnosed (2008) I did choose to have my ovaries ablated as I couldn't at the time have a general anaesthetic to allow the actual operation.
As to having Vit D and calcium this is standard practice when having Denosumab, bone strengthening injections, but I haven't heard of it with zoldronic acid. The reason it's given (it's one tablet) is that Denosumab takes calcium from our own blood supply so a supplement is usually needed however zoldronic acid works in a totally different way so it may be worth checking why you're having it especially if you don't need it - one less thing to take! Also, is there any reason why you are having zoldronic acid rather than Denosumab? Just a thought as it will tie you up to going into hospital every 3 weeks (I think) and having an IV whereas the hormone treatment being proposed is tablets as far as I know so you wouldn't need an IV for that and it would save you time when you don't need to be in a hospital.
Hope this hasn't confused you more or made your decision making any more difficult but it's worth stepping back from everything for a bit before making such big decisions and, as you've said, you only found out 2 weeks ago! There's a lot to learn and it's so easy just to go along with what you've been told to have as a treatment option because that's what most of us do when we have a primary diagnosis. A secondary diagnosis is a different ball game with lots of options and generally a bit of breathing space can be a good thing, even if you end up having the original treatment plan.
Hope you recover from the rads, and above al enjoy the weekend with your husband, the sun is shining where I am, hope it is where you are.
Nicky x
