Life after diagnosis

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Hi all

So …basically, lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy all done by May 2025

Still on Herceptin until January 2026, been on Letrozole since July , just started Ramipril because of deterioration in heart function ( from Herceptin) Also on venlafaxine which was suggested to try to ease hot flushes ( was previously on Citalopram and was considering coming off it prior to diagnosis) 

Had been on hrt for 9 years following hysterectomy, stopped in September 2024

Really struggling with hot flushes, fatigue, up and down moods, generally have lost interest in everything, can’t be bothered. 
I work 3 days a week but been doing reduced hours since returning to work in June 2025. 
On top of all that , I have a vaginal prolapse and on a waiting list of 9 months to be seen! 
I have been using oestrogen cream to help with this but after listening to a podcast yesterday, now believe it won’t be doing any good as the Letrozole will block it. I am going to talk to nurse next week about changing to Tamoxifen as I understand that only blocks oestrogen from breast area ????

My husband was incredibly supportive throughout active treatment and although he tries to understand , there are occasions when I know he thinks I should be over it all now. 
I miss me , when will I feel actually better? 
I feel like , although I coped very well through active treatment, I now seem to have crashed! 
Sorry for the long post jumping all over the place but any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated xxx

  • Hi  , sorry you are feeling bleh (can’t think of a better word!). Firstly I wanted to pop in to say that I think this is very very common, feeling low and fed up at this stage. You’ve been through a lot of tough treatments and you are still on strong stuff which comes with a range of side effects. But the manicness of your active treatment is finished and I think friends and family think that’s it done. They really don’t get that it’s not! There’s an article that many of us here have found helpful - I can’t post a link but it’ll pop up if you search for After treatment finishes by Dr Peter Harvey. Some folk have printed it and shown it to their nearest and dearest. It seems to express what a lot of us feel. 
    For myself, I’ve found exercise and cancer related groups really helpful in lifting my mood. I Nordic walk with a lovely local group. And I go to a weekly exercise class for anyone who’s had cancer. I’ve been to a few in person sessions at Future Dreams House in King Cross, London, as I’m about an hour away. But they do online stuff too. I went to my nearest Maggie’s Centre pre lockdown but haven’t been back since as it’s a longish drive away, whereas I go to Future Dreams by train. I’ve also taken up Tai Chi. Often I feel like I’d rather not do any of the above because of the Anastrozole related fatigue, but I mostly override that feeling and then always feel better for having gone. Definitely helps that they are pre arranged . I also have a close friend who I meet up with at least weekly to walk, go to a cafe, chat etc. 

    From all of that you’ll probably gather that I’m retired - I retired at 61, earlier than planned, a few years after my diagnosis. I’d never managed to get back to full time hours. So obviously it’s a lot easier for me to do all these activities that I find helpful. 
    I hope that your nurse appointment next week comes up with some helpful way of moving forward. Love and hugs, HFxx

    HappyFeet1 xx
    Don’t be afraid to cry. It will free your mind of sorrowful thoughts. – Hopi