I have the same question. I've been asked to take Tamoxifen. After all my research, I don't find the stats in favor of taking it to be all that convincing. Then there's the nagging "what if..." in the back of my mind. So you take either the Aromatase or Tam for 5 years, then what? everyone's chances of a new or recurrance go up with age. Am I only marginally safe for 5 years? Is it worth the side effects? Need to hear from others who have gone through this.
My Goodwill
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6
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tjueschke shared an experience
Decision Point (TAKING AROMATASE INHIBITOR OR NOT): I HAD A DIFFICULT TIME MAKING THE DECISION TO TAKE THE INHIBITOR. I WAS NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO HOW THIS WOULD EFFECT ME HORMONALLY. I TOOK IT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND THEN DECIDED I COULD NOT TAKE THE SIDE EFFECTS AND WENT OFF OF IT. I HAD A STAGE ONE CANCER AND WENT THROUGH CHEMO AND RADIATION. IT FELT TO ME LIKE THIS MEDICATION WAS OVER KILL AND WAS DESTROYING MY QUALITY OF LIFE. MY DOCTOR SAYS TO ME AT EVERY VISIT WHAT I WILL DO WHEN THE CANCER COMES BACK BECAUSE OF NOT TAKING THE INHIBITOR. I REALLY FEEL LIKE I CAN TAKE THE RISK TO FEEL GOOD AND HAVE QUALITY OF LIFE. I AM GETTING CHECKED REGULARLY AND HOPE THAT I WILL REMAIN CANCER FREE. IF NOT I WILL DEAL WITH MY DECISION. I WONDER HOW OTHER WOMAN HAVE DEALT WITH THIS STAGE OF TREATMENT AND IF ANYONE HAS HAD THE CANCER COME BACK AFTER STAGE ONE, CHEMO & RADIATION. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW OTHERS HAVE FAVORED WITHOUT THIS PART OF TREATMENT.
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tjueschke shared an experience
Celebration (Finished treatment): THE BEST DAY WAS AFTER THE LAST RADIATION TREATMENT. THEY GAVE ME A BOTTLE OF SPARKLING CIDER AND A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION SIGNED BY ALL THE TECHS AND DOCTORS. IT WAS BITTER SWEET BECAUSE YOU GET ATTACHED TO ALL THOSE WHO HELPED AND THEN REALIZE YOU WON'T BE SEEING THEM AGAIN. BUT LIFE GOES ON AND ITS GREAT TO MOVE PAST CANCER!
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tjueschke shared an experience
Radiation (External radiation ): I HAD A MELT DOWN AFTER THE TATOO AND SETUP APPOINTMENT. I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR BEING IN A VOLNERABLE POSITION FOR TREATMENT AND HAVING THEM TAKE PHOTOS OF ME ON THE TABLE. I FELT VIOLATED. THE BEST PART WAS COUNTING DOWN TO BEING DONE. THE DOCTOR AND TECHNITIANS WERE ALL WONDERFUL. I DID NOT GET BURNED LIKE SOME PEOPLE DO. I HAD AN AUNT TELL ME TO USE AQUAFOR TO MOISTURIZE THE SKIN AFTER TREATMENTS. IT REALLY HELPED ME NOT TO GET DRIED OUT AND BURNED. THE TREATMENTS LEFT A BROWN MARK THAT DOESN'T GO AWAY FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
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tjueschke shared an experience
Drug or Chemo Therapy (Chemotherapy): THE SIDE EFFECTS STARTED AFTER THE FIRST 24 HOURS OF TREATMENT AND LASTED FOR A COUPLE DAYS. i HAD ANXIETY UNTIL THE HEAVYNESS PASSED AND THE TERRIBLE METALIC FLAVOR IN MY MOUTH PASSED. I MOVED AROUND IN SLOW MOTION, I FELT LIKE I WAS ALWAYS A STEP BEHIND MYSELF. OTHER THAN THAT THE GREATEST DIFFICULTY WAS DEALING WITH HAIR LOSS. i HATE WEARING THINGS ON MY HEAD AND REALLY LEARNED THIS AFTER WEARING WIGS AND HATS. THE HAPPIEST DAY WAS WHEN I FELT I COULD GO OUT IN PUBLIC WITHOUT ANYTHING ON MY HEAD. MY HAIR WAS BARELY A QUARTER INCH, BUT I DIDN'T CARE!
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tjueschke shared an experience
Procedure or Surgery (Lumpectomy): i WASN'T PREPARE TO HEAR THEY DID NOT GET ENOUGH OF A MARGIN, HAD TO GO BACK IN FOR 2ND SURGERY.
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tjueschke shared an experience
Oh No (Diagnosed)