I have always been an active, healthy person. On vacation last summer, I noticed a lump growing quickly. On my 63 birthday I was diagnosed with IDC, with skin invasion and lymph node involvement. I was immediately put on A1 (anastrozole). I was on it six months with the hopes of shrinking my 98% estrogen/96% progesterone/HERT2 negative diagnosis. Thankfully, this shrank my tumor by 1/3 and reduced the size of my lymph nodes. In May I had a partial lumpectomy (3mm tumor) and lymph node dissection (5/10 positive). I am in the middle of 28 radiation treatments with 5 boosters.

I hate AI therapy. I have gone from a person that didn’t take any medicine to a person that is taking multiple medicines. I stopped taking my anastrozole for two weeks before my surgery and went back on after surgery. I have hot flashes, feel joint pain, get tired more easily, and other side effects. My oncologist has guided me through dealing with them.

I DID see that pre-surgery AI therapy made a big difference in my surgery outcome. With 1/3 shrinkage pre-surgery, my surgery was less invasive than originally expected. I have also focused on eating a plant based diet and have lost twenty pounds. My oncologist has stressed the importance of doing weigh bearing exercises, walking, and being active. She has told me I would probably be taking AI for 10+ years. I can’t say I am happily embracing AI therapy, but for me, I feel like I have the choice of AI therapy or cancer. I have gone from stage 3C breast cancer to currently being cancer free. I am going to fight to keep that diagnosis with every tool possible.

Three months into AI therapy, I was wallowing in depression when I realized that I have grandchildren age 2 and 8 and want to make memories with them and my children for many more years. I have no guarantee that will be possible, but I decided I am personally doing everything within my power to make it possible. I am eating healthier than ever, being as active each day as I can be, and making more memories. I am taking anastrozole and actively dealing with any side effect that comes along. It’s not perfect; however, I still feel in control, and it is a good choice for me.

Everyone has a different journey and factors influencing each aspect. The survivors with side effects usually are the most verbal and influence others that are reading these posts for advice and reassurance. I have taken anastrozole for almost a year and have had side effects. BUT, I dealing with whatever comes my way because I have already seen the positive side of AI therapy and would rather take them than have a higher chance of going through cancer treatment again.

When I was first diagnosed about a year ago, I would read others comments and get very anxious. From what I read, I was very concerned about AI therapy and anastrozole in particular. It does have side effects just like any other medicine that is available. However, it has made a big difference through my cancer journey so far. For others making choices, make the best choice for YOU and not based on other’s experience.