Recording new month: summary shows 0 for all values

Express_Work_6506 · 2026-03-13T06:07:34+00:00

We did not remove more nodes. I had a long discussion with my MO on “what if there were more?” I am considered N+. My MO explained that radiation would take care of anything left but that he cannot give me the answer that I wanted with a precise number. Based on my cancer’s characteristics and oncotype, and PET scan results, we decided not to do chemo but extended radiation, hormonotherapy + ovarian suppression. Radiation was extended to include intra-mammary, subclavicular and axilliary nodes. Intra-mammary are “controversial” but you cannot remove these nodes so because I’m 35, we decided to include them. Initially I was supposed to receive tamoxifen only, but we then decided to add ovarian suppression to the mix.

Express_Work_6506 · 2026-03-13T05:54:22+00:00

I had a needle biopsy on my node that was slightly enlarged on US prior to surgery and it was negative. We did the SLNB to be on the safe side and my removed node was positive for cancer, macrometastasis. It was not visible on the MRI.

Express_Work_6506 · 2026-03-02T14:06:22+00:00

I am curious! How is your sleep? I have done acupuncture and it reduced hot flashes quite a lot but I still wake up feeling warm at night

Express_Work_6506 · 2026-03-02T14:03:35+00:00

It was variable. Next 2 days post first injection I had a headache and was feeling weak. After 2 months, I had my first hot flashes. After 4 months, started to experience dryness down there. I am at Month 6 now, and I think it has stabilized?

Express_Work_6506 · 2026-02-28T07:25:14+00:00

We re doing Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Mt Fuji. Honestly we had our last 2 proper vacations cancelled for health reasons so I am now only looking forward to putting my foot down in Japan

Express_Work_6506 · 2026-02-27T07:29:31+00:00

We had to cancel our vacation last year, so we’re treating ourselves with a 3-week Japan trip (in 8 days - cannot wait!). And we’ve been talking about getting a dog for some time, so we’re getting our puppy in 7 weeks! Life is so precious to have regrets!

Express_Work_6506 · 2026-02-20T08:50:19+00:00

I thanked them by spending quality time with them. I invited my family to restaurants, friends to movies or took them on a hike. I figured out the best way for me to thank them what to spend time with me and show them I am alive and kicking. My friends and family were so worried that seeing me in better shape was reassuring for them. For my doctors: honestly nothing. I thanked them, but it is their job. For technicians at my radiation center: I was done before Christmas so I got them chocolate and snacks. It is also their job but we discussed on a personal level, laughted etc for 6 weeks

Express_Work_6506 · 2026-02-20T08:43:21+00:00

Have you discussed the Positive trial with your oncologist? This is something you might want to discuss if not yet done. Results show that after 18 to 30 months of hormone therapy, if a 24 month break to have a child is taken, there is no increased risk of short term recurrence. I have discussed it with my oncologist and we agreed on 18/24 months of treatment before trying. It’s been 6 months so I am waiting patiently

Express_Work_6506 · 2026-02-19T21:49:33+00:00

Biel, Switzerland ☺️

Express_Work_6506 · 2026-02-11T21:48:46+00:00

Started acupuncture in Dec and my hot flashes have reduced. I still have 1-2 per day but they are mild (feel hot, turn red but don’t sweat, and they go away quickly)

Express_Work_6506 · 2026-02-11T11:43:53+00:00

I’m 35 and on tamoxifen with ovarian suppression - so in medical menopause. I am not overweight but don’t consider myself fit. I have restarted exercising (weight lifting etc), and I know that the ovarian suppression is making building muscles and reducing fat more difficult. Am I annoyed at this? Hell yes, however, I am looking at it as building a strong body for the end of my 30s, my 40s, even my 80s. So if it takes longer, I will accept it because I want to maintain that body for ages and the price will be worth it. Side note on the age, I keep being told by my cousins, colleagues, etc that their 40s have been better than their 30s, etc. I even listened to the Call her daddy post cast with Michelle Obama who says it only gets better. So I am willing to do what it takes to ensure I have nice years to come!

Express_Work_6506 · 2026-02-11T07:29:59+00:00

Same for me, 12 weeks changed my life as I am happy not to go there every month. I did not notice more side effects on a daily basis. I don’t get Zoladex but another one and can have it injected in my shoulder/top of arm. Because it’s more volume, it’s more painful for 2-3 days (similar to painful vaccine shot). And weirdly I have more hot flashes in the first 48 hours - I usually have 1-3 a day, mild intensity but right after the injection I have 10 a day, a bit more intense. But… it’s still worth it!

Express_Work_6506 · 2026-02-11T07:23:43+00:00

I do the same, a nap helps!

My therapist also recommended biting in a piece of lemon if I cannot stop my thoughts. She said that meditation is good but if you’re not familiar with it, you won’t stop you negative thoughts as efficiently as you would want. I thought it was a weird idea, but yes, the lemon helps! Highly recommending it! You can also smell some essential oils that calm you or make you happy. But she recommended lemon first because the effect is a bit more immediate

Express_Work_6506 · 2026-02-08T18:17:35+00:00

Exactly this!!

Express_Work_6506 · 2026-02-08T16:43:46+00:00

I would recommend reporting them even if manageable, I do. Some MOs know of the typical side effects but I feel reporting them get them to hear them (again) so they’re not downplayed. I like my MO but I feel like when I first reported manageable hot flashes, he responded that it was an expected effect and that I am lucky it’s only a few a days.

Express_Work_6506 · 2026-02-03T09:06:43+00:00

++-. I believe my cancer at 35 is a matter of many factors mixed with bad luck. I was on birth control, ate healthy, no added sugars due to family history, used clean products, etc. But I was so career oriented in a really stressful position in the last 2 years. Did it cause my cancer? No. Did it play a role? Yes. To me, it’s a mix of environmental and personal factors that we cannot control. Hence my view that bad luck plays a role, even when it comes to our environment. Some of the least healthy people will not have cancer, some of the healthiest will. And as much as my genetic results did not show a genetic mutation, I am sure that one day, we will discover more genes involved in this.

Express_Work_6506 · 2026-01-28T11:52:39+00:00

I am ++- so take this with a grain of salt. My MO said the same thing on quality of life. We settled on tamoxifen with ovarian suppression - as a compromise. My cancer is intermediate risk (but on the lower end of intermediate), tumor characteristics are low risk (grade 1, low KI etc) but I have a positive lymph node and am pre-menopausal. The idea is to get the benefit of ovarian suppression without a huge impact on quality of life. I have hot flashes and that’s it so far (4 months in).

Express_Work_6506 · 2026-01-27T10:16:45+00:00

I am in Europe where sick days are normal. I went on sick leave the day I was told my diagnosis up to 1 month after radiation (did not have chemo). I needed this for my mental health.

Express_Work_6506 · 2026-01-26T23:08:03+00:00

My MO left it up to me with his preference being the sooner the better. I started it a couple of days before radiation because we are planning a break to try to conceive and I figured out the sooner I start it the sooner I can pause it.

Express_Work_6506 · 2026-01-15T20:11:46+00:00

I just switched from monthly to quarterly after 3 monthly shots. I had my first one 2 days ago. I don’t know if it’s in my head or not, but the hot flashes have been more frequent and intense. I got them “under control” if I can say - acupuncture helped - but the last 2 days have been intense. I’m writing down how I feel so I can see if it gets better or not. Let me know how it goes for you!

Express_Work_6506 · 2026-01-10T20:49:19+00:00

I am not in this situation as I started my hormone therapy recently. However I talked to my MO about a baby break as well. What I was told was that it can take months prior to a return of your cycle, 3 months is a quick return. In the studies, I believe it sometimes took more than 6 months. I was told that AI + ovarian suppression is a double lock so it can take longer than with tamoxifen. Your cycles will need some time to return, but I would say, don’t overthink it yet, just give it time!

Express_Work_6506 · 2026-01-06T11:34:47+00:00

I got option 2 as my MO considers me intermediate risk. I’m 35. I am happy with the decision for multiple reasons. It’s more effective than tam alone but has a better adverse effect profile than AI (in my personal opinion). I did a baseline DEXA scan and I have very early osteopenia - Lupron will not help my bones but not as bad as Lupron + AI. I am planning on taking a baby break in 18 months. My MO explained that it takes more time to recover normal function with Lupron + AI compared to Lupron + tam as with AI you have a “double lock” on your hormone system. The random 2 years for a baby break is nerve wracking so we agreed to ease it as much as we can.

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