To Continue or Not to Continue...That is the Question

I'm less than 6 months away from the end of the Tamoxifen Hormone Therapy.  I have been looking forward to January 9, 2014 for a long time.  While I haven't had severe reactions to the medication, I have experienced all the symptoms of estrogen depletion, and some are not all that comfortable.  It has been fun to imagine all the positive changes once the therapy ends.  So, you can imagine my surprise when the oncologist suggested moving forward with another 5 year course of Tamoxifen or another similar medication after this first course completes.

Her logic makes sense.  New studies support extended hormone therapy to reduce the risk of recurrence with death for those of us who have had DCIS.  Even though the percentage is small, no one knows which person is going to be in that cohort. Why take the risk if I did so well with the Tamoxifen?  The other medication causes Osteoporosis, so I would need to have more dexascans done to stay on top of it,

She says we'll discuss it again in October when I go back for my next visit. I will have had a new dexa scan and mammogram just before that visit, and we'll make the decision at that time.

If any of you have been presented with this option, I'd love to hear what you have done and why?  Happy Summer!

Happy Holidays!

The holidays are upon us.  There is much to be grateful for as we head into 2013. Wishing everyone a happy and HEALTHY New Year!

Four Years and Counting

Another great mammogram and another great oncology visit!  Everything is status quo, and the oncologist says only 1 years and 3 months to go on the Tamoxifen. I started January 9, 2009 and will end on January 9, 2014.  It really has gone faster than I could imagine.

On another note, I rarely think about the cancer anymore except for mammogram and oncology visit time, which is the same time as Pinktober. It is only when someone starts talking about cancer, or I see something in the media that sparks my thoughts.

When I was first diagnosed, the breast cancer surgeon told me that this will only be a bump in the road of my life's journey.  I am really starting to believe it!

Another Biopsy in Two Weeks

I have been on Tamoxifen for 3.5 years.  Only another 1.5 years and I'm off...finally!  However, one of the side effects has been an overgrowth of the uterine endometrial lining. A year ago, I had a pelvic sonogram due to this, and it was recommended that I have a biopsy since it is not uncommon to get uterine cancer from this.  About six weeks ago, I had another sonogram, because of lower abdominal pain. It showed that the lining was even thicker than it was a year ago.  Again, the Gyn feels I need another biopsy. It's the only way to know that I am healthy.  I hope that this will be the last one...it was quite painful the last time.  Only two weeks to angst over this...

Update: Biopsy was negative. YAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYY!!!

Mother's Day May 13, 2012 - 22 Years Later

My mother died of breast cancer mets on Mother's Day, May 13, 1990. This year, the dates coincided for another very sad Mother's Day. However...the day was made brighter. My daughter, living in Chicago, invited all of us to her place for the weekend.  Part of the weekend was participation in the Y-Me annual walk (see picture).  Y-Me is a wonderful organization that provides women with breast cancer a 24 hour hotline for support and answering questions.  It has become a lifeline for women with nowhere else to turn.

There were tens of thousands of partipants walking the 3 mile journey through Millenium Park in the heart of Chicago. The weather was glorious. The atmosphere was charged.  The first time I walked a breast cancer event, it was emotionally painful.  I was with other survivors and we were all sharing stories, and I just cried...for my mother and for myself.  I swore I would never do another walk again. It was just too difficult.

However, my daughter had taken up the cause since my diagnosis in late 2008, and I could not say "No" to her. She cares too much.  Her boyfriend's family joined us, which helped to make the walk more fun.  It ended up being a joyous day - with a beautiful brunch to follow the event and a weekend of total frivolity and family love. It doesn't get much better than that.

Update: Not long after the walk, Y-Me mysteriously disappeared off the Internet; their offices shut down too. Wonder where all the money we collected went?

6 Months Later

Everything is going well.  My cancer breast has really shrunk in size after all these months between the surgeries and the radiation.  I call it "Mini-Me."  It's better than crying, right?  I tend to cover my chest with sweaters or jackets so no one call really tell.

In January, I decided to bite the bullet, and make life all about me instead of pleasing everyone else. I went on Weight Watchers, and have done very well. I try to stick to organic foods, and have concentrated more on fruits and vegetables, although I do have to have one sweet per day. I also give myself weekly manicures and exercise more than I used to. So often, we live to make everyone else happy, but exclude ourselves in the process...not anymore. I count too!

In two weeks, I go back to the oncologist for my 6 month checkup. Only 20 more months of Tamoxifen and that part of my life is over.  I don't think about the cancer as much anymore, unless someone mentions someone who was recently diagnosed or died from it.

I am hoping by living a cleaner and healthier lifestyle that I keep the beast away. In the meantime, it feels great to be good to me!!!

3 Years and Counting

Lately, I have been thinking about the breast cancer again.  Not sure if it is because I see a lot of women wearing Susan B. Komen t-shirts from the recent run, or just because I am hearing of more people dying of the disease.

You would think that after all this time and the level of treatment I had, and am still on, that it would not be on my mind, but you really can't stop thinking about it.  Just today, I heard that someone in their mid-40s died after a lengthy battle with recurrent breast cancer.  It is just unfair!

Pinktober and Mammogram

It's that time of the year where we are all surrounded in pink.  You just can't get away from it.  So if you haven't taken the time to get your mammogram this year, think pink, and make that appointment.  Early surveillance, in most case, yields a longer life!

Today was mammogram day.  I dread it.  It was particularly worrisome since, during the annual GYN visit, the doctor was concerned about a hardened area in my radiated breast.  But...GREAT NEWS!!!  All is well.  There are no changes from last year, and I can wait another full year before another mammogram.  Kudos to Tamoxifen and all its nasty side effects.  Three years out and I'm cancer-free!

May next year bring me continued good news...  Happy Pinktober everyone!

Summertime and the Living is Easy

I have officially passed the half-way point for Tamoxifen treatment.  While the many side effects have been annoying to the point that I cringe before taking the medicine, I still forge ahead, always keeping in mind that the alternative is far worse.

As I near the 3 year anniversary of my diagnosis, I can look back and find the good things that came out of the experience.  I have learned to love myself a little more and am taking better care of myself.  Pampering myself is a big change from taking care of everyone else. I am now working in a job where the atmosphere is light and fun. Where work was once the primary source of stress, it is now "fun" and I don't mind going to work every day. 

My next mammogram is in October.  That's always a bit scary, but I can feel assured that I continue to do all I can to keep the cancer from returning.  In the meantime, I'm enjoying the summer...the flowers and the warm weather, playing with my sweet dogs, and spending time with my wonderful family and friends. It really doesn't get much better than this, living a peaceful dependable life.

2-1/2 Years Later

In April, I had my 6 months check-up with the oncologist. The Tamoxifen, while creating some uncomfortable side effects, has treated my body well, and now I'm half-way over treatment. My next oncology visit is in October, right after, my next digital mammography. The bottom line: All is good!