Hi Nikki,

I took Letrozole for 6 years - stopped taking it in July 2017. I also took Tamoxifen for a year before starting on Letrozole. This was because I developed a second cancer within the year. Depression is something that affects most cancer patients. It sounds as if you may need a mild anti-depressive. I was very reluctant to do this at first, but it has made all the difference in the world.

There are other tips that people have found helpful. These include taking your tablets at night instead of in the morning. Also, using the original patented version of Letrozole, rather than the generic brands has helped many. If these suggestions don't work for you have a word with your breast care team, as there are a number of alternatives that might not cause you as many side-effects. Whatever you do, don't stop taking the Letrozole until you have discussed this with your care team.

Pease let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Dear Jolamine

Thank you so much for your response. I am really sorry to learn that a second cancer came back within a year . That must have been devastating for you and your family.

I start the radiotherapy this week and will try to see my oncologist about the side effects that I am experiencing. Thank you for suggesting an antidepressant. Because I have had difficulty in sleeping, I have been taking sleeping tablets and I am  concerned about becoming addicted to so many drugs.

Did you have radiotherapy and if so how did you find it? Worrying about it is probably worst than just getting on and getting it over with so that I can reclaim my life and put  this behind me.

i must sound so ungrateful for the treatment that I am receiving. I’m pleased that I can look forward to seeing the spring daffodils and tulips that are beginning to pop their heads through the soil. And I know that by going through all this I can hope for lots of happy memories to be made in the years ahead. 

I hope that you are fully recovered now Jolamine. 

Good luck and thank you for your kindness in giving me your good advice. I’m sending you a hug,

nikki xxx

Hi Nikki,

I didn't have radiotherapy, although I was advised to have it after my lumpectomy. I got tattood and all ready for treatment, but then discovered another larger lump in my other breast. This was just a few months after my lumpectomy. My surgeon refused to test this and said that it was benign ,so we started a Mexiocan stand-off. I said that there ws no point in treating one breast whilst ignoring the other.

After 11 months I was sent to see another surgeon ,who was in charge of all the surgeons in the area. He thought that the lump was cancerous and carried out a barrage of tests. Fortunately, this lump was benign. This surgeon then took over my care. We discussed the potential benefit of having radiotherapy so long after diagnosis. My surgeon referred me to see two specialist researchers in radiotherapy. One told me that I might as well try it anyway. The other was quite insistent that radiotherapy would only work if carried out wityhin 3 months of surgery. He made a much more compelling case for his view, so I decided to take his advice.

Just a year after my lumpectommy, I discovered another lump in my original breast. Unfortunatel;y, this one was cancerous, so I had a double mastectomy and was told that I didn't need radiotherapy or chemo after that. I took hormone therapy after both operations. For the first year I took Tamoxifen followed by Letrozole for the following 6 years. I stopped taking this in July 2017.

I agree that the thought of radiotherapy is daunting, but it will soon be all over for you.

I am doing well thank you. I have had some problems with rigors in the past few years and had a brain scan for this last Saturday. I am still waiting to see whether there is anything untoward or whether we can attribute these to the ridiculous amount of medication that I'm taking - fingers crossed for the latter!

If you don't have an appointment with your oncologist soon, phone your breast care nurse and ask her about changing from Letrozole. This is what she is there for, so don't be hesitant in asking.

Please let me know how your radiotherapy goes. Meanwhile, I shall be thinking of you and, hope that it all goes well.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Dear Jolamine

what a dreadful few years you have had. I am in awe of your resilience and I feel ashamed that I have been feeling so low when I am receiving good treatment and that you have had so much more to cope with. You are a brave lady.

I sincerely hope that your brain scan results are good.

my radiotherapy starts on Wednesday and I will be sure to contact you to let you know how it is going.

when do you expect  to get your results from the scan?

I am also waiting for results of a scan on my lungs last week. It’s all so frightening. Especially as my brother has already had one lung removed with cancer.

I have my fingers crossed for you

All my best wishes

Nikki

xxx

Hi Nikki,

It was very difficult at the beginning, but that has given me some experience that I can help others with. It has also made me a stronger person.

I don't know when I will get my scan results. They will be sent to the neurologist who referred me, but I don't have any return appointments scheduled with him. The radiographer said that the neurologist should know in 7-10 days, so it just depends, when he'll tell me. I had to wait 12 weeks for the MRI, so I'm hoping that it won't take that long to get the results.

I hope that your scan results are ok too. Have you been having any bother with your lungs? It must be especially scary when your brother has also had cancer and, had to get one lung removed as a result. How is he doing now? I hope that he is well. Do you know when you are likely to get your results back?

Here's hoping and praying for good news.

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

I think that the experience changes us so much and it’s kind of you to share your experience with other ladies.

i hope that your get your results swiftly. It seems unreasonable that you had to wait so long for the MRI scan.

unfortunately there has been a lot of cancer in my family. My brother has testicular cancer at 21 and then lung cancer at 58. He is getting on with life though with one testicle and one lung. My father had bowel, liver and lung cancer and died 6 years ago. My mother is currently battling breast cancer as well as myself.

Although I have never smoked, I have recurrent coughs and this is why I am being checked out. I just want the scan to be normal and to be able to get on with my life.

Please let me know when you get your results. I’m saying a little prayer for you. 

Take care. 

Nikki

xxx

Hi Nikki,

I am glad to hear that your brother is getting on with life, despite all that has been thrown at him from such an early age. There has been a lot of cancer in my family too. My mum developed secondary cancer 12 years after diagnosis. At that stage it had spread to her brain, bones, liver and lungs. My father had lung cancer and, my best friend had bowel cancer.

If I haven't heard anything from the neurologist by the end of this week, I shall phone his secretary.

It seems so unfair to have lung problems when you have never smoked. Are you taking someone with you to your appointment? This is always a good idea. It is also useful to write down any questions you have before your appointment to ensure that you don't forget to ask anything important.

Fingers crossed that your results are good.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

I had to stop taking it and I am fine 15/years on ,ask whether you really need it or could you go back to tamoxifen

Hello all

I've been taking lethzole since june originally I was on accord which I found fine but now glen mark brand which first I found difficult due to painful joints but few months in and loy better 

I'm so sorry your experimenting low mood in sorry to here that and cough. I can see worry within anti depressants I however been on them since February 2013 I was diagnosed in june this year and had them increased twice once help with diagnosis second time as mum was diagnosed with thyroid cancer November this year my Macmillan nurse also referred me to see physcolgist which I'm seeing Thursday day after my birthday.

I have received radiotherapy though only 32 was diagnosed straighten away with secondaries so I've had my limber and thorasic part my back in june. July my neck femur and skull  and week ago  yesterday on thorasic yesterday. I fune the ehile procedure fine though woke up Monday no wait had it yursdsy and anxiety reared i6s ugly had and eas shaking so had lorazpam and was fine. I have been experiencing flare up pain as expected partly back was red but mum put e45 on it and that's gone down it's hard not to worry I know but it's not thet bad hope results go well for all of you

Xxx..

Cazzy 

Hi Jolamine

Oh my goodness. How much you and your family have suffered. I often wonder if there was anything dangerous in my home environment that triggered cancer in my whole family. I wonder if you think the same? My younger brother and mum have also had skin cancer I have MGUS which is progressing.

Im actually feeling a lot brighter this morning. Perhaps my body is getting used to the drug.

good luck this week Jolamine. I will be thinking if you. Chase up your results. I hope that they put your mind at rest.

 I have a poor long suffering husband who is supporting me very well and will be taking me to all my appointments. He is kind and caring and so I am very lucky.

jolamine, all my best wishes. Lease let me know how you get on. 

Nikki

x