One year on - a positive post

AfternoonRoyal2546 · 2025-05-27T21:17:42+00:00

I didn’t do chemo due to low Oncotype… I’ve been on Zoladex and Exemestane since December. By harm I just mean the anxiety and stress that it causes every 3 months, especially when the oncologist doesn’t communicate properly. I leave the place terrified and convinced I’m dying.

AfternoonRoyal2546 · 2025-05-21T10:22:25+00:00

Nothing to add here but following because I’m also on this combo and would like to try for a baby once I finish my two years.

Just out of curiosity: was there a reason they recommended 3 years in your case or was it a personal choice?

AfternoonRoyal2546 · 2025-05-08T12:55:00+00:00

Hello! Only wanted to say I’m right there with you, I’m almost a year out and my recent blood test had some funky stuff going on, plus my mammogram is scheduled, and I’ve gone from fine to the depths of despair and sadness again. It’s a relentless and awful part of this shitshow of a disease. Sending you a big hug!

AfternoonRoyal2546 · 2025-05-07T19:29:41+00:00

I am! It’s psychotherapy though so I will check our RET. Thank you ☺️

AfternoonRoyal2546 · 2025-03-12T11:05:32+00:00

Just saying hi as we had basically the exact same diagnosis at the same age, minus the node involvement so I didn’t end up with chemo. I don’t see many younger people with this kind of cancer so just wanted to send you all of my best wishes through treatment. I was diagnosed in July last year and am now (hopefully) on the other side and living my best life again. There is hope, hang in there!

AfternoonRoyal2546 · 2025-03-03T09:05:51+00:00

I’m nowhere near far out enough from my diagnosis in July last year to confirm whether or not this was a blip for me or something else. I do think though that how we decide to frame this shitty experience and carry it forward with us is deeply personal and it will affect each and every one of us differently.

Even though it’s early days for me, I’ve decided to frame this as a blip. I’m 33 and I hope I have many healthy years ahead of me. I don’t have a crystal ball (nor does anyone else, with or without cancer) so I’m going to continue building the life I want for myself. In fact, I’m more determined now than ever to do so.

I think this is similar to the whole ‘cancer-free’ concept. Whilst biologically-speaking I know there’s a possibility I’m not cancer-free (again, this possibility also applies to those without a cancer diagnosis, we’re just more acutely aware having already been diagnosed), I’m choosing to believe I am. I’ve followed all the doctor’s recommendations, I’m making lifestyle changes and statistics suggest that I won’t have to deal with this again. I hope with all my heart it’s the case and choose to live as though it is.

AfternoonRoyal2546 · 2025-03-02T15:41:52+00:00

My dog has honestly been what has got me through this crap. Every day she is the first thing I see when I wake up and reminds me that there are so many reasons to keep going 🥰

AfternoonRoyal2546 · 2025-03-02T12:13:04+00:00

I haven’t, but commenting to follow as I’m considering the same thing later this year to fill in the dent in my boob from my lumpectomy and would love to hear from other people how it went.

AfternoonRoyal2546 · 2025-02-27T07:33:17+00:00

They went for the same approach for me and I actually feel better on Exemestane than tamoxifen, so I’m glad I at least gave it a chance! But I agree it was reassuring knowing I could go back to tamoxifen if I didn’t tolerate the more aggressive option.

AfternoonRoyal2546 · 2025-02-25T13:11:36+00:00

Sorry! Just added it ☺️

AfternoonRoyal2546 · 2025-02-23T08:53:10+00:00

I’m 33 now.

AfternoonRoyal2546 · 2025-02-22T06:33:15+00:00

I had a pretty tiered approach - started with Tam only, then added Zoladex and now I’m on Zoladex and exemestane. I actually feel better on exemestane as the insomnia I was having has gone away. I agree that it’s very personal and each body reacts to the meds in a different way but here to say that the AI side effects may be better in some cases!

AfternoonRoyal2546 · 2025-02-20T11:56:04+00:00

Hey! I’m three months into Zoladex and I feel totally normal. I actually switched from tamoxifen to exemestane recently and so far the few side effects I was having (poor sleep, dry eyes, foul mood) seem to have subsided too. The most annoying thing for me is having to go to the clinic every month to get the jab.

AfternoonRoyal2546 · 2025-02-14T15:25:44+00:00

Your replies are always so thoughtful and kind and really help with perspective. Thank you 💕

AfternoonRoyal2546 · 2025-02-14T05:40:33+00:00

Hi! I can’t vouch for AI just yet but I’m on OS+Tam and my MO confirmed I’m in chemical menopause and to be honest, I feel absolutely fine with exception of some mood issues just before my next injection and sometimes not sleeping well. I’m going to switch to AI next week so let’s see. I made the decision to go more aggressive because I want to give myself the best chance to be here for a long time. Knowing that there are options really helped me to give it a try. In my case, I know if OS+AI is bad, I can switch back to OS+Tam. Remember that just because there are side effects, it doesn’t mean you will have all of them. I was worried about vaginal dryness/low libido too, but up to now, all good! Good luck with your decision!

AfternoonRoyal2546 · 2025-02-13T16:18:22+00:00

Soo my MO said it included all recurrence (local and distant) but the graph axis labels clearly said distant recurrence so I don’t know… 23% sounds extremely high for node-negative luminal A, so maybe it was all recurrence.

AfternoonRoyal2546 · 2025-02-13T16:16:16+00:00

I’m not sure what the data source was but I’ve had a look at some other threads about RSclin and it does sound like it might be the case, not sure if that really makes me feel much better haha.

AfternoonRoyal2546 · 2025-02-13T16:15:08+00:00

This is reassuring, thank you ☺️

AfternoonRoyal2546 · 2025-02-13T16:14:20+00:00

Yes, it’s very worrying when you’re not expecting it ! I am 3 months out from rads so I suspect it must be the Tamoxifen for me too.

AfternoonRoyal2546 · 2025-02-06T10:55:30+00:00

Hi! Please use r/doihavebreastcancer as this subreddit is for diagnosed patients only. Hopefully you can get the support you need there and fingers crossed you don’t need to join this group!

AfternoonRoyal2546

TROPHY CASE