Hi NeverU,

yes a whole year has passed by since we last corresponded?!  
 

So a year ago I was taking hormone tablets every other day. After a few months even that started to adversely affect me so I stopped them. I didn't consider it for long. I just didn't want an aching body, low mood and weight increase. I want to live 'fully' so the hormones went in the bin!!! 
I have never regretted it. (Well ok occasionally I frighten myself and think I may get cancer again) but mostly I live without the fear and dread. Life is good. 
 

I won't go back to them now. I had a oncologist examine me and an MRI recently and all is well. Hoorah!!!! 
 

Like you I exercise every day and eat carefully and healthily. I have never felt better really. Despite Covid and all the restrictions life hasn't been too bad. I look forward to travelling again and enjoying a life that's full and pain free. 
 

I wish you well. Stay healthy and happy!!! Celebrated my 69th Birthday last week!!! Happy days and many more of them for us all who have experienced a cancer diagnosis. It's not always easy I know, but we are still fighting on!! 
Go well  

Kebbs x . 

Hello PJH,

I was diagnosed on October 2019. I completed treatment on Feb 2020. I didn't need chemo. 
 

Does the anxiety ever leave?? Yes I believe it does. It's in neon lighting those first few months I think. It encompasses you, eats you up until you truly wonder what life was like pre-diagnosis. It's hard to be who you once were. In fact you aren't who you first were. It's tough and I found it hard initially to make people understand me. I was scared. Never been ill before. Well not seriously anyway. 
 

Then gradually you wake up one morning and you think "I feel better". Let's do something good today... a walk, a chat, deciding to get a dog. Steps forward. It's gradual and at first you don't notice the 'fog' lifting but it does. I am in the sunshine now. Still well. Much fitter and slightly leaner. All good!! 
 

I think the first step for me was allowing people back in and it helped. I stopped bottling my fears and that helped too. I planned my food and my exercise. I grew stronger inside and out. It IS worth it and it just attacks cancer until the cancer gives way to a good life. Yes occasionally it does sneak back in to my mind. Niggles me  but usually nowadays not for long. 
 

This awful plague is a hard hard path but don't walk it alone and when it's a crap day say so!! Get it out. You ARE going through hell it's normal to get mad because it absolutely isn't  fair. But the human spirit and the fight for survival is bigger and better than cancer.  Go for it.  I wish you a speedy recovery. Go easy  

Kebbs x 

Hi Kebbs, great to hear that all is good with your health and life in general.  Yes, it is individual decision, but I guess, it all depends on how serious the prognosis is and in my case, it was Stage 1 and lymph nodes were not affected.  All the daily exercises and balanced diet is now a regime and it is good to maintain a healthy weight too.  

All best wishes for turning 69 and many happy returns! Stay active and positive!

Never U x 

Hi Gebby. This is a really interesting and helpful thread. I had a lumpectomy March 2021 followed by five days of radiotherapy. Originally I was told I wouldn't need chemo and would be given a 'little tablet' to take for a few years. Each day the picture becomes clearer and its best to take it a day at a time. You will be fine with the lumpectomy. I was home in bed 4 hours after the surgery and up and about the next day doing normal things. The surgery is really not so bad so please don't be too worried about it. At my follow up appointment I was told that I needed three rounds of chemo and Letrozole for 5years. I have declined both. The radiotherapy was ok as well. Nothing to stress about. It depends a lot on your personal circumstances, age etc but the answer will come to you. Use the Predict calculator to work out your percentages for recurrence once you have full results from the lumpectomy. For me it was a 3% better chance of non-recurrence over 5 years if I took the chemo and the Letrozole (88% opposed to 85%). Having read so many horror stories about side effects of Aromatase Inhibitors and already knowing the harrowing effects of chemo on the body from seeing a close relative go through it, I have chosen to have my life stay as 'normal' as possible and I can honestly say I feel great currently. I'll never know if I have made the right decision but it is right for me. I'm still ME!  I wish you luck with your surgery and your decision. Try not to worry (easily said, I know). A positive attitude will go a long way. Look into diet and lifestyle changes as well. I consulted a naturopath who prepared a 20 page diet and lifestyle plan for me. It's fabulous and I've lost almost 3 stone to boot!  Lots of good wishes coming your way xx

Hi. I've just posted a question regarding which treatment I should have and the dilemma I'm having and I've come across this post. 
 

Can you point me in the direction of the predict calculator please as this may help me?

thanks, 
C x

Hi Sandy. 
thanks for sending the link I will definitely look into it. Xx

Hoping this post is still active as I'm having serious doubts about Tamoxifen.

I had a therapeutic mammoplasty in March to remove two tumours, followed up with radiotherapy and now 20mg of Tamoxifen daily. I was lucky enough to not need chemotherapy. I'm 65 and thought I was in good health until January this year!

Been taking Tamoxifen for 40 days and I'm sure my arthritis has got worse. I can cope with the hot flushes. I've read that a much smaller dose of Tamoxifen for 3 years is just as effective as 20mgs for 5-10 years. Has anyone out there taken the smaller dose?

Response from my GP is "we don't have any expertise in this". I never actually saw an oncologist but a consultant radiographer for my post surgery treatment. The MDT had wanted me to take the aromatase inhibitors but he agreed Tamoxifen would be better because I do have osteoporosis.

Feeling a bit like I've been left with the bog standard, one size fits all treatment and evry night I resent putting that blooming tablet in my mouth!

Hey Blodwynne, 

I noticed you haven't heard back from anyone on this thread so I just wanted to give you our cancer nurses telephone number in case you wanted to discuss this with them. They're available on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m and will do all they can to help.

Many of our members have had difficulties with Tamoxifen so you are not alone. You may have more success hearing back from others if you start your own discussion or find more recent discussions about this to join in on. 

In the meantime, do try again to discuss your concerns with your GP and maybe see if it's possible to talk to someone with more expertise so you can get the answers you're seeking.

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator