Dec 29, 2017 08:07PM edwards750 wrote:

It’s an individual decision to take or not. I did take Tamoxifen for 5 years. Oncotype score was 11. I am 6 years out. So far no cognitive decline. I was unwilling to play Russian Roulette even with the side effects. Frankly I was scared not to. Having said I didn’t suffer with some of the side effects others have.

Joint pain, difficulty concentrating sometimes and sleeplessness were the only issues I had with the drug.

To each her own. Your body, your life.

Diane

Dec 31, 2017 03:37AM Faithonfire wrote:

Dear Barred,

The initial paperwork I have for my first batch of treatments listed it as armadex and it was all pre surgery treatment so far. My tumors were hard to find and the stage 3c paperwork must have been before last 2 biopsies on my right came back and they weren't official tumors on the right breast yet so those results didn't change treatment choice but did amend it to stage 3 a with pre cancer clusters indicating same need for double mastectomy once my genetics report showed I was a braca 2 with unidentified mutation.

I have 2 cousins one slightly younger the other just over 50 currently in chemotherapy for breast cancer awaiting their results from free genetic tests now. Several other members of our family have had breast cancer in the past 5 years and the genetic tests were not covered by insurance at that time.

it was a strange Christmas gift but seeing the insurance company eat crow to get them was priceless to all of us for generations yet to come finally!

We all have lots to learn about what we are going through and the ovary issue is one of our biggest concerns on both sides of the fertility issue so thank you for sharing your information!

Hormone therapy is a hot topic for our family too and the information we are finding on the subject is making our choices easier to debate until it's time to start.

I have surgery January 9 and will find out if radiation is needed or if I had a complete response as indicated.

Best of luck to everyone for the new year

Jan 1, 2018 08:26PM beach2beach wrote:

Im 51, taking Tamoxifen, 4months now. I switched to taking it in the evening. I know some who split the dose. Side effects for me are incredible dryness in my sinuses and my lips and some dizziness. So far very doable for me. Good luck with the surgery

Jan 4, 2018 02:57AM Faithonfire wrote:

Thank you Barred, and everyone

So glad to hear it helped! I was told about it in time for my last 2 neulasta shots and it was a remarkable difference with Claritin in my system.

I'm still loosing weight so I am doing my best to get anything I can eat to stick before surgery but I'm still pretty nervous about having surgery so it's a daily battle for me to stay strong.

I had a very hard time during the holidays because my husband and children would not send me a single pic or respond in any positive way during my treatments. They did not take the news of my diagnosis well at all and won't talk to me after seeing me without hair. I have never been away from any of them this long before and now they blame me for abandoning them. I can't understand it. I just hope time will help them realize why it could not wait one day.

I'm just so dissapointed in my husband I don't know how to handle his reaction. I have done my best and can only heal myself and pray he makes it all up to me. I know I am only fooling myself, but I won't give up

Jan 5, 2018 05:35AM jaymeb wrote:

Faithonfire

I just read your post. Oh my god!!!! I can't believe it. Are you, and your husband under the same roof with the kids? How old are your children? I'm 48, and divorced with a 14 year old daughter. It was hard on her, and in the beginning, she was standoffish. Was not expecting that. She leaned more on her dad than me. As time went on, and the dust settled, I got my daughter back. She just did not know how to handle it. My mother and brother have been my support, and eventually my daughter. Cancer is also so impactful on our loved ones. However, they need to be very supportive of you. Your husband should be taking care of you. As the marriage vows go, in sickness, and in health. My ex husband and I get along very well, and he has been there for me. Have you and your husband communicated, and told him how you feel? I've read on other forums where cancer has split families apart. It astounds me. It just seems something this serious would bring our loved ones closer. I hope you all will work this out. What about counseling? I hope I'm not being offensive, I want things to get better for you, your husband, and your children. Support is so important with what we have all gone through.