A Breast Cancer Update

It’s been some time since I last shared an update with you and as I’ve had an increase in messages checking in with me, I thought it’d be a good idea to let you know where I’m at now. 

Last I shared I’d just finished my radiotherapy sessions and I was waiting for the short term effects to peak. 

Well, peak they did and then it settled down so I started my hormone therapy.

Hormone therapy lowers the levels of oestrogen or progesterone in the body, or block their effects. It stops oestrogen from telling the cancer cells to grow and my type of breast cancer is hormone receptive.

This is daily medication that I will be on for at least five years. My oncologist will review at that point and I might have another five years on them. 

These come with unwanted side effects, but they can substantially reduce the rates of recurrence so to me, at my age and with my family to think of, there’s no option other than to take them.

The potential side effects list is long! And hideous! I’ve read that 25% of people don’t get through the first year on them due to their side effects, so I guess we’ll see how I do.

They put your body into a kind of instant menopause, without the benefits of that. You can still have periods and you can still get pregnant, though you really shouldn’t as the medication would cause abnormalities. And of course, there can be no HRT to alleviate anything. 

There are some foods and supplements that you need to avoid on them, and alcohol is inadvisable so it looks like I’m going to be several years sober now. 

Along with a lot of menopause-like effects, I’ve had a few other issues with them, but I’m managing and settling in with them. 

Eating well and keeping my body moving helps with the side effects as well as improving my general wellbeing so these are high priorities for me now. I want to feel fit and well each day.

Of course, just as I’ve been finding a new normal and adjusting to the medication, my radiotherapy has been rearing it’s head again. Cancer is the gift that keeps on giving!

For most people, it’s common to continue to have side effects from this for the first 12 months, and some beyond that. 

Discomfort and tiredness comes in waves and I’ve accepted I can’t predict it so I’m just rolling with each day. 

I do find this frustrating, as I am very keen to build my strength and fitness up to make me feel better, so I want to go for it on the exercise front and I simply can’t. I’ve made the mistake of overdoing it a couple of times and my body does remind me not to do that. 

I like to focus on what I can do to help myself, it gives me a sense of purpose and control and means I can plan and set goals. It makes me motivated and positive, I just wish my body could keep up with me every day!

It’ll take time, I do have to remind myself it was only 6 months ago I had my surgery and radiotherapy 3 months ago, along with the changes my body’s dealing with with the medication. 

Time is what I need now, and time is what I want. 

My active treatments have ended, aside from my hormone therapy. It’s strange to not be on the hamster wheel with it all.

From those initial tests and biopsy in April, there’s always been an appointment looming or something I needed to get through. 

There’s not been a huge wave of relief. Yet. Maybe it’ll come.

I think it’s because I feel like I’m still in this. The side effects of treatments are still very much with me and I have to take a daily pill.

I’ve booked myself onto a Breast Cancer Now online course, called Moving Forward, and I had my first session a few days ago. I’ve another this week.

The first session was good. Along with advice given, it was good to simply listen to people who all understand this and have been through a similar experience, had similar thoughts and feelings.

Cancer is a game changer. It’s always with you. I’m sure with time it’ll recede as I still feel I’m in the midst of it, but I know I am changed. 

I’m learning that cancer isn’t something you ‘put behind you’ or ‘get better from’ as soon as treatment ends, it’s something you learn to live with over time, as so much has shifted. And that’s normal.

So if you want to know how I’m doing, I guess my best answer is ‘adjusting’. 

To my new normal, to whatever side effects I’m dealing with that day, to finding new routines, new priorities. 

I’m OK. I’m making progress. A lot has happened since spring this year, and I’m getting used to that. 

I’m here, I’m showing up for my kids every day, I’m enjoying the simple every day things which I see as the important things, and I’m taking the time I need to get my body and mind into good shape. 

I’m looking forward to taking time off with my family over Christmas and throwing myself into the season. Christmas music, films and books are feeding my soul at the moment!

Thanks for asking, thanks for thinking of me, and thanks for all of the good wishes. 

Sharing is caring!