3/4/23
This, hopefully, will be one of my last posts on this topic. I am in a good place mentally and physically and keen to consign the last nine months to the past. The spectre of recurrence will always be there and I need to be vigilant. One end of therapy nurse appointment to come and I will be called in for annual check ups over the next five years. My treatment is now, effectively finished.
I had an informative telephone conversation today with my lovely oncologist, Ellie. My bloods show, that, as suspected, I am now in menopause, induced by the chemo.
My data has once again been entered into the ‘Predict’ system and the results have helped to inform my decision making. I am not too fond of computer models, some of the greatest injustices and mistakes in medicine have been made using them but it’s the best we have at the moment.
The drugs on offer may, or may not, prevent recurrence, the possible benefits of the hormone treatment Letrozole are 11/12% in my case, the more common side effects are mood changes, sweats, sleep disturbance, oedema, joint pain, muscle pain, weight gain and osteoporosis. I have decided against taking this and the other drugs suggested. Abemocyclib would offer a possible 5% benefit and biphosphonates 2.5%.
Ellie understands my deep scepticism about the drug industry and did not push the regime. She just told me the facts as she understands them. I am lucky to have found a medical practitioner willing to treat me as an individual.
I can mitigate the risk of recurrence through lifestyle and taking medicinal mushrooms. The data on exercise is especially interesting, 150 minutes a week can reduce the risk of it coming back by 55%! I like those odds.
https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2020/breast-cancer-survival-exercise
Reflecting on my treatment I find it upsetting that the quality you receive is dependent on luck and where you live. We have a dedicated breast care unit in Poole, run and staffed by some highly focused individuals, the care I have received has been exemplary. Fast, comprehensive and courteous. I know from the forums that that this is not always the case, botched surgery, late treatment, rude staff, and poor quality after care being some of the experiences others have shared.
I accept that the NHS is, on the whole, a deeply flawed organisation. The treatment of my own mother at the end of her life was cruel and inhumane and something I can never truly forgive them for.
The future for me will probably involve self funded MRI’s as it looks as though mammograms are still the standard, even for hard to spot lobular breast cancer. There are some novel blood assays in the offing that may eventually negate the need for screening at all, I will be watching their development with interest.
Thanks all who have read along with my journey. As well as the occasional update on my ‘uninvited guest’ I can now, thankfully, turn my attention to other topics.
Thanks again for your thoughts, prayers, cards, words of encouragement, flowers, gifts, brilliantly poor humour and moral support, I consider myself very lucky.
Your newsletters have been such an inspiration. I am so pleased to hear that your treatment is complete and that you are in a good place. I would love to offer some 1:1 yoga sessions as my gift to you, which may go a little way to allaying your menopausal symptoms. Much love.xx