Chenheart's Journey with Breast Cancer

I found a breast lump, and went immediately to my GP~ who immediately sent me for an ultrasound. The lump was so obvious that the surgeon who was also recommended right then and there told me that the purpose of the ultrasound was not to rule out cancer, but to get a better look at it. I had the lump biopsied, follwed by a lumpectomy, chemotherapy , and radiation and 5 years of Arimidex. This was in 2003. Last year, in April, I had my gallbladder removed~ and did not recover as quickly as I hoped. Fast forward~ tests showed that 8 years after my original diagnosis, I now had liver and bone mets. I was put on Tamoxifen for a little over a year, and responded well. But not well enough! My tumor markers continued to creep up ( which in my case is a good touchstone of disease)...I stopped the Tamoxifen and recently had my first treatments of bot Faslodex and Zometa. These too will end rather abruptly~ I qualify for a clinical trial and will be starting chemotherapy soon. I remember all too well chemo and it's cumulative fatigue, not to mention hair loss,and getting "The Look" from friends and strangers alike. I know this will be a long year, but strangely, ( for now, anyway!) I feel empowered and proactive to be saying yes to chemo!