Thread: 11 years out!
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Old 10-25-2017, 08:07 AM   #14
caya
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Thornhill, Ontario Canada
Posts: 2,320
Re: 11 years out!

My oncologist stopped me after 5 years. I did 2.5 years of Tamoxifen, and 2.5 years of Femara.
I did talk to her about continuing after the 10 year recommendations came out, but she advised me not to.
For me, I was stage 1, no nodes, and she felt the side effects (possible heart and osteoporosis issues) would outweigh any slight possible benefit. In my case, she would not recommend more Femara or Tamoxifen.
Family history of both heart attack and osteoporosis.

I have to tell you, I didn't realize how crappy I felt on the Femara until about 6 months after I went off it. I dropped 25 lbs. almost without trying, had so much more energy, etc. I spoke to my onc. about that, and she said that people often don't realize/remember how strong those drugs are, and how hard they are on our systems. Of course we have to take them if we need to. But I'm happy I did "my time" and am doing well.

all the best
caya
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ER90%+/PR 50%+/HER 2+
1.7 cm and 1.0 cm.
Stage 1, grade 2, Node Negative (16 nodes tested)
MRM Dec.18/06
3 x FEC, 3 x Taxotere
Herceptin - every 3 weeks for a year, finished May 8/08

Tamoxifen - 2 1/2 years
Femara - Jan. 1, 2010 - July 18, 2012
BRCA1/BRCA2 Negative
Dignosed 10/16/06, age 48 , premenopausal
Mild lymphedema diagnosed June 2009 - breast surgeon and lymph. therapist think it's completely reversible - hope so.
Reclast infusion January 2012
Oopherectomy October 2013
15 Years NED!!
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