When I was diagnosed because of the location of the tumor we started Anastrozole six weeks before surgery to shrink the tumor. I was never told if that was successful or not but was excited after surgery and a clear PET scan and looked at this drug as an "easy" way to manage my cancer since I opted out of radiation and chemo that was suggested as "preventative". We talked about staying on it for 10 years, to "make sure". I overlooked the side effects in the beginning, insomnia (I would sleep when I could) joint pain, digestive issues, etc. but after I had taken it for 18 months my blood pressure had jumped over 40 pts., I was diagnosed with osteoporosis, I was in such terrible pain with my joints that I ended up in PT. At that point I decided at the age of 76 to quit the medication as quality of life is more important to me than the number of years on this earth and I have been off of it for 7 months, it is the best I've felt in two years. It is a personal decision, not entered into lightly, I am trying to take each day at a time, I am scheduled for a mammogram soon and pray that all will be clear. If not, I will deal with it then. All the options had similar or worse side effects so I wasn't interested in "experimenting". Stay tuned, may your journey be one of peace and confidence in the decision you make being the right one for you.

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