Hi Alibarbara,

A very warm welcome to the forum.

I am so sorry to hear that you lost your mum to breast cancer and that you have now had a diagnosis too. Hearing that it has spread to your bones must have come as quite a shock and I'm not surprised that you are terrified. Can I ask when you lost your mum? I lost my mum to breast cancer 26 years ago and she too had a horrific experience. I was diagnosed with breast cancer myself 16 years ago and was absolutely terrified - mainly as a result of what she went through. I was diagnosed with pre-cancer in my other breast 6 months after I had a lumpectomy and a second cancer in the original breast less than a year after my surgery. I then had a double mastectomy.

I can assure you that there was just no comparison in what we both experienced. Diagnosis, treatment and after care had all made tremendous strides in the interim. There have also been great strides in new techniques and medication. Try not to be too negative about the outcome - difficult, I know!. Many people here are living much longer than predicted these days and the more positive you can be about things, the better you'll cope. Write down any questions you have for your consultant and take these with you to your next appointment - remember that no question is too insignificant to ask. You will find that the more informed you are about all that is happening, the less you will panic about it. I am glad to hear that you have some excellent family support behind you. Can you talk to any of them about how you feel? Sometimes this can be difficult, because you know that your diagnosis also affects your family. If this is so, you could always speak to a counsellor. Charities such as Maggie's offer this service free of charge. If you don't have a Maggie's Centre nearby, ask your care team for local support groups. There are a number of them and they all go under different names, which can make them difficult to find.

There are a number of plans you can make in advance for end of life. One is to make an Advance Care Plan. I expect that your care team will talk you though this when you discuss treatment options. Medication for combatting pain is improving all the time and is available for end oof life care. 

I hope that you get the chance to discuss treatment soon and I am always here if you want to talk.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you for your reply. 

I'm having hormone therapy to start, so not chemo at the moment.  

Ive decided to fight hard. I've asked for a referral to a hospital in Manchester.

Luckily my family are surrounding me and ensuring I'm not left alone too long, so I can't stew over what's happening.  

Hi Alibarbara,

I'm glad to hear that you're feeling a little better now, but be prepared for bad days as well as good. Many refer to this journey as the biggest rollercoaster you've ever been on - up one minute and down the next. 

If the hospital I'm thinking of in Manchester is the one you're hoping to be referred to, it has a great reputation for cancer care. Do you know what hormone therapy you're going to have yet and when are you due to start? I'm glad to hear that your family are 'doing their bit' to try and distract you from letting this become a totally overwhelming thought.

Please keep in touch and don't forget that we're all here for you. 

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Alibarbara,

I'm glad to hear that you're feeling a little better now, but be prepared for bad days as well as good. Many refer to this journey as the biggest rollercoaster you've ever been on - up one minute and down the next. 

If the hospital I'm thinking of in Manchester is the one you're hoping to be referred to, it has a great reputation for cancer care. Do you know what hormone therapy you're going to have yet and when are you due to start? I'm glad to hear that your family are 'doing their bit' to try and distract you from letting this become a totally overwhelming thought.

Please keep in touch and don't forget that we're all here for you. 

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

A big day today. I took my first exemetase tablet today. I was very emotional and struggled to eat my meal, before taking the drug.

It seems silly to think such a terrible illness may be effected by such a tiny pill.

I've been a bit tearful again today and find my world has turned grey. I know I need to keep the black dog at bay as everything I read or heard says a positive attitude keeps you strong.

I hope yo see the consultant at Christies soon.

Hi Alibarbara,

As I said in my last reply, there'll be bad days as well as good. Don't worry about crying, as this s a good way to relieve stress. I hope that you get to see the consultant in Manchester soon. We're not allowed to name hospitals on the forum so don't be surprised if this is removed by one of the monitors. Keeping a positive attitude does help to keep you strong, as does being fully informed about your treatment and care, so make sure to ask, if you don't fully understand anything that you're told. 

Well done for starting your Exemestane and I sincerely hope that it works.

I'm always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you. X

Good morning Alibarbara,  Hope you are feeling a little better today (despite the stormy weather).  I am on Exemastane too and don't really feel any side effects.  I take mine in the morning I'm not sure why but it seems to work for me before I have breakfast.  I hope you get your appointment with consultant soon and have a better day.

Lee x

Thanks Lee. That's good to know. I have decided to take mine after dinner around 7pm, so it has the night to wear off, if that's possible. But I guess it's trial and error.

Have you been taking it long?

Alison.

Hi Alison,  I have been taking Exemastane since December so nearly ten months now.  I always forget to take the tablets at night.  My last ones are usually at 8 or 8.30 and sometimes forget so that's why I take it in the morning.  It does make sense to take them at night so if you do get side effects they can wear off overnight.  have you had any further news about appointments etc.?

Lee x