After Breast cancer and Radiotherapy..I didn't think anymore about it until a few years later a large tumour was found deep in my lungs. It was too deep for Radiotherapy to touch it, so it was removed.. Surgery meant having half my lung removed and Chemotherapy. It was Stage 4 metastatic cancer.
When I was handed back
to the Breast unit I was told that they decided Hormone treatment first . No chemotherapy at that stage. Have been taking medication daily, but am now having pain in my bones throughout my body. Never had Arthritis, but it's so painful, this medication can cause bone thinning.. This will be my 5th year on Exemestane.
At the end of this year I will have my last scan.. just not sure if I will be expected to take this medication for the rest of my life.. it's kept the cancer away, as far as I know, but causing me a lot of pain. Frightened to stop as it's worked so far. Will I be told to stop it now..My mind is in a turmoil and I did wonder if anyone has experienced the thoughts that go through your head about this?
Hi JaniceH and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.
I’m Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community and, although I'm not a member of this group, I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list again.
While you're waiting for replies, it would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
Hi Janice
it sounds like a rough time for you. You don't say what hormone treatment you are on. Also you said you had stage 4 but don't mention if this means the cancer has travelled to your bones? Would it help if you had a proper chat with a macmillan nurse or go back to your oncology team to find out what they think is going on?
I was told the cancer had travelled and there was no way to remove it so the only option was hormone treatment and chemo. I was told I will be on letrozole for the breast cancer for the rest of y life. I seat as my miracle med as it is keeping me alive. The bone pain can be excruciating but I have learned when to take the extra painkillers and also to keep the daily doses of ibruphen topped upas this stops it before it gets too bad. And if it is too bad at night I have oral morphine. The nurses have been a great support in helping me get the pain relief I need.
I hope you can find ways of making those changes you need to make life good. We all get bad days and pain is something that can wear you down and mentally exhaust you. I take a duvet day when it gets really bad and that helps me
xThea
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