Thanks for the reply. Yes, I thought about that, too (having to have a mastectomy anyway if the margins were not clear on the second lumpectomy). I will try the hormone blocker (Anastrozole). Many people do not have side effects. Some do. (There are a lot of posts about Anastrozole side effects on Mayo Clinic Connect.) Since it is a pill, I can stop taking it any time I want. Also, I read that there are three different hormone blockers, and that if one causes bad side effects, often one of the other two will work out better. (That is also info from reading some of the posts by people on Anastrozole.) I have three friends right now on chemo who are all really suffering, so I am grateful that I won't have to have that. If the side effects of hormone blockers prove to be too difficult to cope with, I will just stop taking them (and tell my oncologist, in case there is another alternative). Here are some things I have learned from reading all the posts on Anastrozole: it may help to start the treatment gradually, such as every other day for a couple of weeks; taking them at night may help with sleepiness caused by this drug; if insomnia is a problem edibles may help. Exercise (like walking 30 - 60 minutes a day, or yoga) helps a lot. This wasn't on the Mayo Connect, but I recently watched a webinar from breastcancer.org in which a woman gynecologist specializing in sexual health recommended using coconut oil to ease vaginal dryness (try it daily for two months, then if it doesn't help, ask your doctor for an estrogen cream, to be used once or twice a week. She also said to wash only with warm water - absolutely no soap or other products). Hope this information is useful to all those out there with this problem! - Deb