7mm invasive ductal carcinoma

@mimzy
Good to have your surgery scheduled. Prayers for you.

Not everyone has every side effect listed for a med. I’ve been on Letrozole (AI) for 3 years now. I started 2 other cancer meds at the same time so hard to know what causes what. The only really challenging side effect I think Letrozole is causing is terrible insomnia. I’ve had sleep issues my whole life though but now it’s ridiculous. Maybe you won’t have any challenging side effects.

Thank you. I appreciate your prayers and I appreciate you

2 times Cancer Survivor 20 year apart. Ductal Carcinoma in 1999. No chemo or radiation but did have mastectomy. 20 years later at 62 I had invasive carcinoma grade 3 stage 2. Another mastectomy and 6 months chemo. I was suppose to do hormone therapy but could not complete it. To me it was more horrific. I could not live in my body moment to moment. I am on VEOZAH now to help with night sweats and flashes. Non hormonal. I know that information does not help but if you can do hormone treatment your 5 year survival rate becomes much higher without a recurrence. I will be forever getting blood test and bone scans at this point it seems. Don’t take Prolia it messes with the bone structure in your jaw bone and teeth. Can cause necrosis. Read Read Read before you take these drugs. I am now doing Caltrate with D3. Good luck and many prayers for a continued journey of life.

@mimzy My situation is similar to yours: ER+ PR+ HER2- I had a lumpectomy with 20 rounds of radiation. I have been on the AI Anastrozole for 14 months. Not experiencing many side effects at all, which was my concern as well. Honestly, the vaginal dryness is the most frustrating, but using a variety of methods & materials to help. There was the emotional ups & downs for the first maybe 3 months, but again that could also be compounded by the trauma of life’s new ‘normal’ with cancer. Not having any of that anymore. Sleeping through the night is interrupted about 3 nights a week, but I have found going to bed even an hour later than I used to & I sleep through the night. I have used magnesium & medical CBD gummies to help when I am dealing with residual pain & discomfort.

As for the cholesterol & BP issues. I am still taking 81mg asprin & Lisinopril daily for my BP and it hasn’t changed since going on the AI. And with the diet changes I have made after sessions with my dietician to lower my risk for recurrence, I lost weight and my cholesterol has dropped so much, my doctor let me stop my statin for 3 months to see if it stays down. If it does, I’m off it and I have been on my statin for 17 years since we have a history of high cholesterol/BP. (My mom died from vascular dementia, so I am super cautious)

The AI has its issues for sure and not to be taken lightly, but those need to be balanced with what side effects you may actually experience and your peace of mind for lowering your risk of recurrence. Maybe give it a try? You (your blood) will be monitored every 3 months from your oncologist as well as what you experience. Takes about 6-8 weeks for your body to adjust. Whatever you decide is right, right for you, just like your surgery decisions. Fear is so loud in your head right now, try not to focus on it, which is incredibly hard! Get through your surgery, one thing at a time, really. Looking at the whole picture now was crazy overwhelming for me! You can do this! You never know how strong you are until strong is the only option. Prayers for strength. Let us know how you’re doing after your surgery.

Last April I was diagnosed with two tumors near each other. One was 1cm and the other was 1.3cm. I was HR+, HER2- and my BRCA came back negative. I was encouraged to have a lumpectomy. However I opted for a single mastectomy to avoid radiation. There was still a chance of radiation but my sentinel nodes were negative so I was able to avoid radiation. My aunt went through radiation 20+ years ago and she was so glad I didn’t have to go through that. My recommendation is weigh your options. My decision was based on three things that were recommended through various sources in making a surgery decision: 1) how interested are you in preserving your breast, 2) how important is peace of mind, and 3) how important is it for you to avoid radiation? I also needed to consider the importance of the long game compared to the short game. Hope that helps. Sending prayers for you.

Please do not be afraid of radiation. It is not at all painful. So,e people do get tired from it, I a, told. I DID NOT get tired at all. I also had ductal Ca. One thing I do have to say is that after 20 years, I had to have a mastectomy ( same breast as ducal Ca); however, the doctors do not know at this time, if the distal Ca spread or if it was a new Ca. Also, some years after my original distal Ca, my oncologist moved and never advised me & I foolishly never sought another oncologist so it is very possible that my mastectomy could have been prevented. Sorry for the long story. I truly wish you the best.

@ppat4pr concern about radiation came from my doctors, especially radiation on the left side that could affect the heart. MD's were also concerned about lungs, and about my lupus. Radiation is helpful and safe for some, but not others, apparently. I had mastectomies to avoid radiation and my MD's encouraged that.

Hi! @ppat4pr :

Thanks for sharing your valuable experience to guide us! I am so sorry to learn of the recurrence of your ductal Ca after 20 years - with radiation treatments:( Did you also take any hormone blockers at all back then?

Wishing you healthy and happy journey ahead!

Hope you are doing well.

9 years out!