I was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma in both breasts in August of 2021. It was found from a scan done for chest pain in June of that year because of chest pain that turned out to be a heart attack. I survived that and then started on the breast cancer journey. After several biopsies, in October 2021 I had a bilateral mastectomy and sentinal lymph nodes removed on both sides. Pathology found ILC , Stage 2, no lymph involvement. All margins clear. Tumors from 2mm to 10. I was almost 69 years old and chose not to have any breast reconstruction, with the support of my wife. I was told that I was not a good candidate for radiation or chemo. I started letrozole 2.5 mg in December 2021. By May of 2022, I had developed carpel tunnel with locking thumbs in both hands, as well as total body pain and stiffness. I had been on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for many years for depression issues that run in my family, before the cancer was found. So oncology suggested a break from the AIs. I am trying to schedule an appointment with oncology now. I have only seen her twice since the mastectomy, so I don't have a good idea of what will be next. But I really don't want to go back on AIs. I do everything with my hands. I am a mechanic by trade. I am a carpenter and a fixer of three dimensional stuff! I don't really have a quality of life without my hands.

Jump to this post