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

Hi that is good news I was wondering do you have any tips for brain fog due to anxiety.im scared all the time it’s effecting everything I cannot even drive due to this 

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 

Hello Catlady01,

Thanks for taking the time to reply  to my post. I think when you’re newly diagnosed of having a cancer the reaction is normal when you experience anxiety and sleepless nights. When my oncologist talked to me about the result of  mammogram, I was shocked but take it easy because when I get a letter asking me to go back to the breast clinic  after my first mammogram in just 2 weeks gap, I know that there must be something serious. So I’m preparing myself whatever the result. 

After that my husband picked me up and we went to the car repair shop to picked up back my car. I had a car  accident one week after my routine mammogram once every 3 years. I managed to drive my car back home 7 miles from the town. When we finally arrived home, I tell my husband that I had .9mm primary breast cancer. 

And yes, all my plans and dreams are shattered but I can’t remember that I cry. The thought of  dying haunted me day and night, because my first husband died of brain cancer. He died at the age of 38. Then come the series of treatments, radiotherapy no chemo. Since the last radiotherapy 4 years ago, nothing follows. I passed the fourth mammogram last October 2024  and all clear. I keep my fingers and legs crossed that my fifth mammogram this year October all will be cleared as well and finishes taking Tamoxifen next January 2026. 

I hope my story will give you hope and strength to carry on with your daily activities/routine. Sending you my love and best wishes Xx

Hi Catlady,

A very warm welcome to our forum. Have you got a diagnosis yet, or are you still waiting? Most people, who have had a cancer diagnosis, would agree that waiting for results, is one of the most stressful parts of our cancer journey. There are so many unknowns at this stage and we find ourselves in the position of trying to plan for all sorts of unknown eventualities, that will probably never happen. This can become all consuming and it becomes difficult to think of anything else. Try to find activities that will occupy your mind, whether work or pleasure.

This is naturally a scary time, but, irrespective of the outcome, you'll feel better, once you know what you are dealing with. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

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