Breast diagnosis

[Carys]

That sounds like it will be the planning session then, the one that I said takes a good amount longer.

[kestral]

She now has been given 17/10 to start the radiotherapy. She is now on the meds she has to take for 5 years but is experiencing fatigue and some depression.

[Carys]

Tamoxifen, Anastrozole, Letrozole or Exemestane (probably not tamoxifen as I think she is post-menopausal, by the age I think I recall you said earlier and that is generally given for pre-menopausal) ?

Bear in mind that if she is getting side effects from the Aromatase inhibitors (Anastrozole, Letrozole or Exemestane) then she can discuss trying a different medication with her doctor, but she must keep them in the loop on discussing how she is getting on with it and not just struggle on suffering. I was prescribed Tamoxifen for 10 years following surgery, but didn't end up taking them due to unmanageable side effects. Quality of life is important, sometimes as the body gets used to the changes in hormones from the medication women stop having side-effects over a few weeks, some women have no side effects at all to start with, some find they never get on with it.

SO, radiotherapy starts in a month, has the surgery site all healed ?

[kestral]

It's healed well now, Is little swelling but the specialist was happy when he examined it, she will be having a bone scan and mamogram(?) before she starts radium.

[kestral]

Just to correct my last message, it is a ct scan not a mammogram she will be having tomorrow.

[kestral]

She is taking leprozole as medication.

[Carys]

Hope the scan goes well tomorrow Kestral. How are you managing through this process?

[kestral]

Thank you Carys. My wife sets the pace and I try and support as much as I am able. She has made it easy for me in many ways really as she has a really positive outlook.it obviously pulls me apart in some ways to not be able to do more but we prop each other up as we can.

[kestral]

The markers have been set for the treatment so the next thing we expect is all the dates and times to be confirmed.

[pulisa]

You two are a great team, Kestral. She must be so glad that you are there by her side throughout this challenging time. What more could you do other than be there for her which you always are-it's so important to feel supported.