Morning Jolamine, 

How are things with you and your family? Is hubby finding his exercises any easier yet? I truly hope they are starting to make a difference. 

Love n hugs Mickey xx ️

Hi Jolamine, 

I was counting on you reading it, rather than me re-posting and I'm very grateful that you did.  It's ok, in the scheme of things they are just little niggles that should sort themselves out within ten days or so. I consider myself very lucky with my recovery. 

I chased my FSH results today to clarify whether I am actually post menopausal or not as I had no idea. The BCN has phoned me back to confirm the score confirms that I am. That makes more sense of the muscinous cancer type to me and also excludes tamoxifen. She says they will discuss which hormone therapy at my results apt, so I don't know which they will recommend. I feel better knowing where I am though, I don't do well with assumptions based on age or whether you've had a period in 12 months. 

I am so pleased that the Physio has come back and progressed hubby including the Active Fit Class. That shows he is progressing and confidence in his progress to me - great news! 

Love n hugs Mickey xx ️

HI Mickey,

I am back at work and trying to juggle so many balls in the air at the moment, that I have not been on this site so much. I am glad to hear that you got the results of your FSH test and now know that you are post-menopausal. I was too. I was given Tamoxifen for the first year. When I was diagnosed with the second cancer a year later, I was told that the Tamoxifen hadn't worked and I was given Letrozole.

It sounds as if you are gradually getting to know a little more. I found it a great help when this happened, as like you, I need to know the ins and outs of everything to deal with it properly.

Hugs, Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, 

The joys of juggling ‍♀️. Hope it settles down a bit for you. 

I'm curious as to why they put you on tamoxifen to start when post menopausal - did they say? How did you get on with Letrozole ? 

Thank you, I take that as a great compliment coming from you. I try to just stay one step ahead - so I can be as prepared as possible for what's possibly coming next. 

I hope the rest of today has been kinder to you. 

Love Mickey xx ️

Hi Mickey,

No reason was given for the Tamoxifen. Unfortunately, I had quite a few issues with both medications. Both caused horrendous hot flushes, night sweats, visual disturbances, liver enzyme changes, insomnia, extreme fatigue, nausea, constipation, weight gain, depression, dry skin, oedema, memory and concentration impairment, hypertension, pruritis, urinary frequency, mucosal dryness.

Tamoxifen caused more emptional disturbances and Letrozole caused me more trouble with my joints (arthralgia and musculo-skeletal pain), but this seems par for the course. I have had both my knees replaced as a result of this, have a lot of pain in my back and hands and now use a rollater to walk with, along with relying on a mobility scooter to get me around the shops, etc. I have also had 7 operations to my eyes and am pleased to say that I am now back to 20/20 vision.

However, that was just my luck. Many people don't have any bother with these drugs.Personally, I would still do it all again, as this has bought me 12 years so far and, I hope that it will continue to buy me more time.

Love,

Jolamine xx

Morning Jolamine, 

I was saddened to read about all the side effects and health implications that you've battled with and are suffering. Thank you for your honesty though, you know me, I know we're all different but I'd rather have an idea of what to expect.  How long did you have to take it for 10 years? Did they offer you anything to deal with the side effects? 

Good to hear your vision is ok now, but my 7 operations is an overwhelming thought.  I hope you got appropriate support in respect of your mobility and needs too. 

I think you're right, it scares me to think that all that cancer appeared in my breast so soon after a clear mammogram and so I know I will have to take it. Got to do what I can to reduce the risk of recurrence. 

I hope you don't have to juggle so many balls today. 

Love and hugs Mickey xx ️

Hi Mickey,

I didn't mean to put you off, but I know that you're a realistic person and want to be prepared. Fortunately, not everyone has as many side-effects. I tried Clonidine for the hot flushes and night sweats to no avail. I also tried a Chillo-Pillow, but this had little effect. I then tried Venlafaxine, an anti-depressant, which helped a little. I also tried different makes of Letrozole and found Femara the best brand for me. My nurse advised me to take the tablets in the evening instead of the morning, but this didn't help. 

I was also prescribed Amitrypteline and then Gabapentin for the joint pain, but this was what caused memory and concentration loss.  I now use BU-Trans patches, which I apply once a week.There are other meds available, but I was never offered any of these. I took Tamoxifen for 1 year and was told that I would take Letrozole for 5 years. I ended up taking this for 6½ yers.

My cancer was missed at my routine mammogram too, but not all mucinour cancer shows up on mammogram. I found both of mine myself.

Love and hugs, Jolamine xx

Morning Jolamine, 

No need to worry, you didn't put me off at all. I really appreciate the information and I know, like most things, the side effects will be different for us all. 

As you know, I was told since surgery that the plastic surgeon didn't want to see me again til the end of March and I have had that apt for a while. Thursday late afternoon I got a text from the hospital to see him next Friday 21st at 9.30am. It wasn’t rational, but I know that the Friday 9.30 slot is before his clinic and so only used for emergencies. Being a Thursday afternoon I couldn’t help thinking my results had suddenly come in and been heard at that weeks MDT and this apt is as a result of that. I can’t for the life of me think though how the plastic surgeon would be involved in any further treatment, surely that would be the breast surgery team? Anyway, it made me realise This whole cancer business can still throw you into a blind panic and I had a migraine yesterday that I couldn't shift. 

I'm ok today though. Happy Saturday Jolamine. 
 

Love and hugs Mickey xx ️

Hi Mickey,

You often find that plastics are involved where you have had reconstruction, so don't let this worry you. It is good to hear that your appointment has been brought forward to next Friday  and, I sincerely hope that your results will be available by then.

This whole cancer milarky is a real rollercoaster, as you're discovering. I'm glad to hear that today is better than yesterday for you.

Have a good weekend.

Love and hugs, Jolamine xx