This is such a great site. I am walking more. Started back doing yoga twice a week. I am 63 before I stopped taking anastrazole I felt a lot older pain hips arm hand. So down would cry everyday.Live today tomorrow can look after ITS self.

I love it!!!!  We each intuit our own lives.  At 73, all insurance has been cleared, the process of reconstruction begins 3/25!!!!  My rt breast mastectomy was 12/12/14 and I did not need two breasts until now.  Cancer free, so many irons in the fire, I love my life....Tomorrow will take care of itself....

Im happy to see a positive on here, Id come looking for some tips about anastrazole, which oncologist gave me last week, on the Wednesday, Id started going down with what has turned into a monster chest infection, and because Im also on meds for Behcets disease I had to lay off my methtrexate as you cant take that with a chest infection, and Im on antibiotics.

I wanted to get some feel for what its like to be on anastrazole as work expect me back from 17/2. Ive been feeling totally battered first by the dx in late October, then surgery 3/12, then chest infection late January. Im full of arthritis and have hip replacements, a mid foot fusion, and fused ankle, and my toes have all been unbuilt and rebuilt. I get horribly breathless due to Poland syndrome which means my rirbs go in instead of out, and frankly, Im wondering how the hell I will make it til 66 to get my OA pension (Im 61 and got medically retired from my former job 15 years ago, on a pension) I like my job, providing support for disabled uni students, but its a gig economy type post, it involves travelling by bus to varied locations, and lugging a laptop or pile of note papers around with me. and Im starting to wonder if Im up to it. already one of the other jobs I do there has pulled my bookings cos they are worried it would be too much for me to do a full day shift recruiting candidates, and I know they are right. it would atm.  but on top of all this, I have no idea of how to pace myself., Ive been on heavy duty steroids and methotrexate for the last 17 years, and Im terrified of the potential bone damage from anastrazole, although the oncology guy was brilliant and said if I get any bone issues he wants me to ring his secretary and book in to see him. Im amazed cos it took 6 years to get my most recent dexa scan done and that was only because I requested it.I suspect  theyd forgotten to do it.Does anyone else feel like its too much to expect a person in this situation to try and keep on working??

I was 68 when I had my right breast mastectomy, I'm now 73, cancer free and starting my reconstruction.

i was so exhausted and hurting while on Anastrozole, I was just grateful to sleep 24/7.  I stayed on anastrozole for 2 1/2 years with a self imposed break after two years. Finally decided I did not want the pain....I could not have worked.  Now I'm amazing.  No guarantees in life, I'm enjoying while I can!!!!

loving thoughts coming to you from Raleigh, North Carolina

Wow, love your attitude !  thanks for your reply, Ive been on meds so long (since 2003) from a diagnosis (Behcet's) which is now in question after I asked for a second opinion as there wasnt a rheumy/ autoimmune disease consultant in post since my old one retired 5 years ago, I was fed up with inconsistent approach of locums, and then discovered my records were full of inaccuracies, anyway, now the cancer rush has died down a bit, Im going to ask to go back to the specialists in Birmingham and see what they think I need to do to get off the meds Ive been parked on!  SO Im going to girl up and decide to go on anastrazole, go and get some complementary therapy sessions under my belt, if Im up to it Im off to Birmingham jewellry quarter on Saturday with my newly engaged daughter this weekend to get her engagement ring resizing checked over, and then Sunday is helping husband and son clear the hugely overgrown hedge round the house he moved into last summer.  Ive decided that from now on, Im going to assume the character of a diamond, on the grounds that I'm sort of starting to sparkle a bit after being under several months of intense and horrific pressure.  I love your example of how to rock it after a diagnosis and treatment, even if at times it sucks.  thanks for the inspiration, I needed that !

all best x

I love you "girling up"!!!!  And just collapse and rest when you have to.  Thank you for sharing YOUR trek.  I had monthly 3 day migraines for 40 years, before migraine shots.  So far nothing has hurt that much and I love to be lazy (with an excuse).  you obviously have humor and that is beautiful.  I just met an engineer who studied at Birmingham University so I am kind of feeling the UK Many hugs, and loving thoughts to you and your family!!!!

thanks, if you ever vist the UK, make sure to check out Birmingham, it has been radically rebuilt, and has more miles of canals than Venice- if you get to see a tv show called Peaky Blinders its based on the area around Birmingham, its got a fantastic art gallery, jaw dropping modern architecture, and a beautiful botanic garden. the bit I get to go to for the centre is in the rough end of town, when I went in summer, there was a police chase, and a car pulled over with what looked like armed police, which we dont usually have over here...couldnt wait to get back to sleepy worcestershire.

Thank you, Peaky Blinders is my favorite series, so I have more of a feel.  I really think being interested in life is more than half the battle.  Your daughter is engaged, just telling people the stories of our life.  My mother is 95 living on a ranch in Idaho, I did my chemotherapy there, a fabulous hospital and cancer center.  Then I had to deal with a property in Blythe, CA, with temperatures between 115-125 degrees everyday ( good air conditioning).  So, I had my oncologist in Raleigh, North Carolina, one in Idaho and one in Palm Sorings, CA.  A childhood friend is in his 28th year in a CA prison, so my visits did not stop just because I was bald.  Now I have really unbelievably beautiful thick grey hair.

I worked in a hospital years ago, supervisor of admitting.  One wife, in her 30's, dying, small children, would use her hospital stays as a romantic time with her husband, complete with a lovely negligee.  Then a 40'ish man with twin girls, one on each knee, he in a wheelchair, would roll into my office to be checked in.  He was so sad to be leaving, but so brave, I think that really imprinted me.  My daughters were with me when I had a breast removed and they just kept me laughing.  Your children and mine are being taught by us how to LIVE!!!! 

I read your message. I think it's got be your decision. I found the pain to much. I want my life now. I am 64 this May. Enjoy your life today. All the best to you hugs and kisses sent to you.