Breast cancer survivor struggling

FormerMember over 5 years ago

15 replies
280 subscribers
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I was 60 when I was diagnosed with stage 3 aggressive her2 positive breast cancer over 2 years ago, so I needed lengthy treatment.

I live alone and had to cope, but concentrated on the finishing line as you do.

It took 2 lumpectomys before I was cancer free.

I had EC chemotherapy, and then Paclitaxel chemotherapy which had to be stopped before my course was completed due to nerve damage (Peripheral Neuropathy) which has left me with little feeling from the knees down and will never improve.

3 weeks radiotherapy

1 year of Herceptin which ended last December

I still have 6 monthly infusions of Ibandronic acid on the chemo ward, and I have been on Anastrozole daily for 18 months...another three and a half years to go on it.

Last Christmas when the herceptin ended I was elated and felt and looked well, but now I feel ill and very depressed. Everything is a struggle.

I do have Chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia also, so I wasn't Brilliant prior to the treatment.

I'm in lots of pain even in my hands. I also have had a dripping nose since I had the chemotherapy which show no sign of improvement. My eyes are sore and tired, and I'm headachey and exhausted.

Basically I'm struggling big time both physically and mentally.

FormerMember over 5 years ago

I'm sorry you feel so unwell.

You say you felt good last Christmas, when Herceptin ended. Do you think your problems result from the other medication you still need?

I admit to know nothing about Ibandronic or Anastrozole.

WhatHappened over 5 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Hello , I am sorry you are struggling. I know a lot of us struggle in various different ways, side effects both mentally and physically can play a terrible part in bringing us down, then if you consider what we have gone thought, it all takes its toll. Somehow we have to find and take the good times - especially as the time of year is approaching with the darker nights and mornings, this too can affect how we feel.

The ladies have given you some good advise and I think if you can look into what they have suggested it will help you.

Oww and none of us every get fed up with listening to each of our problems - that's what we are all here for 'to help each other out' - for at any time if could be one of us needing help.

Hoping you can find a way forward with all this, one little step each day, don't push yourself to hard, and please remember what you have gone thought and how far you have come, you really are doing very well, slowly, one step at a time.

I'm hoping this makes sense - only my mind says one thing and my fingers type whatever they like x

FormerMember over 5 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Hi thank you for your response.

My Rheumatologist said the Anastrazole causes bone pain, but not to stop taking it.

I'm not sure about the sore eyes, runny nose and generally feeling unwell.

FormerMember over 5 years ago in reply to seaspirit44

Yes my thoughts too. Thank you

FormerMember over 5 years ago in reply to WhatHappened

What a lovely reply. Thank you

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Breast cancer survivor struggling