I am a 73 year old recently retired nurse. I worked in Urology for twelve years and before that in Palliative Care, so I am familiar with health issues on both sides of the counter. I have always been aware of how precious good health is and how, when we have it, we cannot imagine what life would be like if we were to lose that gift. Two and a half years ago I discovered a lump in my left breast. It was diagnosed as DCIS and was quickly dealt with. The surgery and the recovery was much easier than I guessed it would be, I would venture to say that root canal treatment is worse and much more painful.
However, I had no idea what lay around the corner. The radiotherapy was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. The treatment is painless and almost relaxing - that is until the rash develops and the axilla pain and the fatigue come and get you. The treatment finished at Christmas and I have a photo of myself with my family where I look like a frail, elderly stranger sitting amongst them.
I then went on to the Letrozole which to me, is poison in a tiny pill. Who would believe that an innocuous looking, little tablet could simply wipe out your good health? It is not just a case of a second menopause. We hear about hot flashes/flushes; bring them on because it’s a whole lot better than the crippling joint pain, urinary problems, vaginal soreness, bone thinning and raised cholesterol. I’d willingly feel hot for a moment instead of having palpitations or see my hair falling out. I have reached the point where I am wondering if further breast cancer would be better than what this evil drug has done to me. I was an active, vivacious 70 something,
fashionable, fun, family minded, liked country walks and decorating my home. Now getting up in the morning is an effort because of the joint pain, I am so sapped of oestrogen that my body is crying out on all fronts. One expects side effects to be minor and manageable, but what this drug gives are not side effects, that’s a misnomer, it causes other health conditions. I am in the position now, waiting to see a Urologist for the Genitourinary problems I have, where I am considering stopping the Letrozole. I probably won’t, but it is sorely tempting.
The medical profession have to move on with this. They can’t hand out a drug like this with impunity and believe they have done us a service. They are happy to say we no longer have breast cancer, but at what cost? Wrecked health and further conditions which need treatment. It simply isn’t good enough or morally acceptable to shove this toxin at us and look the other way believing they have done their duty.
One of the first things I learned during my nursing training was that Florence Nightingale famously said hospitals “should do the sick no harm”. Really?
