Hope it went well for you. I’ve  got my fifth mammogram since diagnosis tomorrow - feeling rather anxious

Hello Winnicent, hope you are well. 

I was diagnosed with primary breast cancer 4 years ago.. passed the fourth mammogram and all cleared. Continue taking tamoxifen that ends next January.

Best wishes,

Inday-Tintin  

Hello Inday-Tintin,

Thank you for the update and I'm glad to see that you have now managed to sign back in. I am delighted to hear that your mammogram was once again clear. I am sure that you will be glad to finish taking Tamoxifen next January and I sincerely hope that all continues to go well for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you so much Jolamine  for keeping in touch with me. You are very supportive and I appreciate your gesture in helping others with your very kind words and that give us strength to carry on with our life.

Yep! Looking forward to finish taking Tamoxifen next January and not sure what my oncologist suggest after this 5 years course of treatment. Waiting for the fifth mammogram later this year. If it is still clear maybe no medication needed. 

Best wishes Xx 

Thank you so much Jolamine  for keeping in touch with me. You are very supportive and I appreciate your gesture in helping others with your very kind words and that give us strength to carry on with our life.

Yep! Looking forward to finish taking Tamoxifen next January and not sure what my oncologist suggest after this 5 years course of treatment. Waiting for the fifth mammogram later this year. If it is still clear maybe no medication needed. 

Best wishes Xx 

Hi Inday-Tintin,

If your cancer was primary, there should be no need for any further treatment, depending upon what stage it was. Both of my cancers were primary. I took Tamoxifen for the first year, then changed to Letrozole, when I discovered the second cancer, a year later. I took this for 6½ years and haven't taken any further treatment since. It's hard to believe, but that was 15 years ago now!

Please keep in touch and let us know how your final mammogram goes - I'm keeping everything crossed for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hello Jolamine, 

Hope you’re doing great and enjoy the sunshine, ( only today though, but tomorrow back to typical British weather rain and windy) 

I want to ask you a couple of questions. Because you are 11 years ahead of me “riding on this boat”, during your  journey for years on medication, did you abstain from eating food that interfere the effectivity of Tamoxifen and Letrozole? Like drinking alcohol, red meat or processed food like ham, bacon, sausages, etc. I totally stopped drinking alcoholic drinks and red meat. But sometimes I eat a little bit of pork but  more on fish and vegetables, sometimes chicken. 

After my 5 sessions of radiotherapy I searched what food are good to eat when taking Tamoxifen. And that’s it, there are certain foods , drinks and fruits that affect the effectivity of cancer medication. 

You are one of the luckiest cancer survivor. One of our church member been diagnosed with primary breast cancer back in 1998. She was on Tamoxifen for 5 years. Since then no more further treatment. She is now on her late 70’s and she is generally healthy. Hearing some inspiring testimony  like yours and other cancer survivors give us hope and courage to get on with our cancer journey. That’s the reason after more than 3 years I left the CRUK forum I decided to come back here and share my story and hopefully it will help to those newly diagnosed with cancer. 

Keep safe always Xx 

Hi Inday-Tintin,

You naturally think all sorts of things when you are recalled so quickly, but sometimes it can be because your previous mammogram just wasn't clear enough. However, our overactive imaginations naturally take us down all sorts of dark places. 

In answer to your question, I stopped taking some alternative medication, which my consultant advised me would interfere with my cancer medication. However, when I looked at the advice of what to eat and what not to eat, I was bamboozled by the conflicting advice. As a result, I have kept to my normal diet. I am not a great drinker, but I do still have the occasional glass of wine.

It is indeed a great help for those newly diagnosed, to hear inspiring stories from survivors like us and I'm glad that you've re-joined us to tell your story.

Jolamine xx

Hello Jolamine,

I'm always glad to hear from you and read your reply. Thanks for answering my questions. 

One more question… during your years of taking Tamoxifen, have you experience swelling of your legs? If I do something that requires standing like ironing the clothes or cooking or travelling for hours, my legs swell. I noticed this before my 4th mammogram last year. I do wear compressors socks when travelling  to London as it takes 3 hrs one way to travel there from where we live. 

 In the morning when I get up my legs are in normal size. But once I start to do something inside the house I can feel my legs stated  to swell. I’ve read that tamoxifen can cause swelling  of the feet/legs fto some patients so I don’t bother seeing a doctor for this matter. 

Thanks a lot and enjoy the rest of your weekend, 

Hugs  

Hi Inday-Tintin,

Yes my legs and arms swelled up after surgery, even though none of my lymph nodes were affected either time. I now have bilateral Lymphoedema in legs and arms and wear compression sleeves, gloves and stockings. I also wear thicker compression stockings and sleeves during the night. To be fair, I did have some swelling in my legs before diagnosis, as I also have hypertension. It is worth mentioning this to your doctor, if you find the swelling getting worse, as there are tablets to reduce the swelling.

The swelling tends to go down, when you are lying flat overnight, but increases again as the day progresses. Try to raise your feet when you are sitting.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks for answering my question Jolamine.

I don’t experience swelling of my arms or legs after the lumpectomy. Only a couple of months ago I noticed the changes of the size of my legs. Yes, overnight my legs is okay. I searched what is the cause of this but it could be other health issues like kidney or hearts disease or it could be side effect of taking tamoxifen.  A month ago I had urinalysis and it come out okay and no cause of concern. 

Since my operation more than 4 years ago I don’t have any issues related to my breast cancer. I have medications for my high blood pressure, Amlodipine and Atorvastatin, Vitamin D and Tamoxifen, four medication every day. I’m taking vitamin D and Tamoxifen after breakfast and before bed time I’m taking medication for my high blood pressure. 

When watching tv I seat on my reclining chair and adjust the leg rest and put my legs up. Anyway, I will mention this to my GP so they can find out what is the cause of this swelling of my legs. 

Thank you and enjoy the rest of your day. Xx