Great comments today. I’m 11 days into Anastrozole after 20 radiation treats to my right breast. HR Pos, HER2 Neg, Neg Nodes, Stage 1a ductal carcinoma. Developed overall breast rash in 3rd week of radiation, which after 2 wks of completion is gradually getting better. No reaction from drug yet, but I’ve been on Calcium with D3 for several years due to Osteopenia and I started taking Collagen in January, so I’m hoping they help to combat joint pain if/when it occurs. I’m the first in my family to have Breast cancer and I’m the youngest sister at age 68, so it was quite a shock to the whole family. I never experienced hot flashes in peri menopause and so far not on Anastrozole. But as I said earlier this week, I’m trying not to anticipate too much and deal with issues if/when they occur.
My biggest surprise is how much post-surgery treatments were involved when all my tests/markers came back so good & yet I still need lees 20 radiation treatments (16 full breast and 4 boosts at the origin) and then an estrogen blocker for 5 years! I actually felt worse emotionally after surgery, BUT, the women on my mom’s side produce excess estrogen in their breasts post menopause. My mom & oldest sister & two of my mom’s sisters all had reductions after age 60. My breasts have gotten larger post-menopause as well. I was actually considering a reduction just before my diagnosis, which was discovered on a routine mammo at the end of October. Since mine was Estrogen driven, coupled with my family’s estrogen production history, even though none of us have ever taken hormones, I felt I should take the blocker to help hinder what my body wants to do naturally.
This is MY story & everyone is different, so I don’t want to influence anyone with their journey. Only you & your oncologist can make those decisions. I just felt I would share mine in the event someone else is going through a similar situation.
Thanks to Mayo Clinic for giving us a place to share our stories, fears or just to vent. 💕