Breast Cancer Now Forum

Thank you @WritingOurLives for your lovely response. Golly - a lot has happened since I posted that a few years ago.  I switched back to Tamoxifen as I just couldn't tolerate the pain or discomfort the Exemestane was giving me. This was an acceptable decision and was discussed with my oncologist at the time.  Life has been going swimmingly ever since. But this year, I have been stopped in my tracks once more. My cancer has returned sadly and is incurable. I start to wonder if that was my fault for not persisting with the exemestane. But honestly- I just couldn't tolerate it. So I guess it was a trade off between the pain and discomfort vs a reoccurrence. I obviously have my answer now.  However, I am now on new treatment, injections into my bum (monthly) & tablets every day. The tablets come with their own side effects and I'm trying to manage them but struggling in part. The new treatment is a whole new ball game and I will probably post about it soon. Thank you again and best of luck with your treatment and hope you still get to exercise lots. X   ... View more

Gosh I feel very privileged. I live in rural Suffolk and my surgeon is based in a local DGH ( she is a force to be reckoned with ... and this may be part of the success of her team!) . There is a team of BCNs and they are really on the ball ... they have been really attentive and helpful. cannot praise them enough. Reconstruction nurses at Norwich have also been really helpful ...really appreciate that as I have had a number of problems (haemorrhage,2nd trip to theatre,wound problems Etc) and they are available by email or by phone .  Having been a specialist nurse (in a completely other specialty) I would suggest that the success of Nurse specialist teams often depends on how important the consultants think they are!!! Without them driving the team approach (including nurses,tattooists,mental health)it will often fail.  It may be worth asking your specialist why you don’t get support from a Specialist nurse! great that we have charities such as this one to support us through this confusing and challenging times.   x   ... View more

Good Morning, Tamy,   You are doing work to help others that most are unable to do.  I hope your job brings you much happiness to block out the painful day   We do OK most days here at home, but I can see the difficulty ramping up.  My husband, Ron, is declining.  Not certain what happens next.  I do know one of us is going to be first to drop.  All care facilities are so expensive.  Ah, well, I have faith it will work out.   You have been around the bend.  I am so sorry you are having to deal with illness once again.  Your treatment has been brutal...everything they can throw at you.  My friend chose mastectomy, thinking she will not need chemo and radiation....and I hope she is correct.  I have PET scans every three months, with another coming up.  I tend to not worry ahead of time, but my heart is banging when they strap me into the machine.  I have grown cysts on my ovaries about the size of an orange and saw a surgeon last week.  She said no surgery, as they measured health vs. harm and they could really mess me up.  I wondered if my body could take that hit and I am grateful she took harming me into account.   We visited Vancouver, BC and it is beautiful.  Best vacation we have ever had.  I better get in the shower and get going.  Take good care.  I am so sorry you are having to deal.......   blessings, Mary       ... View more