Four weeks ago...... in In the Kingdom of Suzu
- Dec. 5, 2014, 6:56 p.m.
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- Public
It has been four weeks since I had the operation and I want to thank you all for the kind, encouraging words, prayers and good thoughts that have come my way. I am truly blessed to have support not only in my “real” life but also in “cyber” life.
In looking at breast cancer sites and message boards, I realize once again how very, very fortunate I am I not having to go thru chemo and/or radiation and healing w/o hardly any pain or complications. I have had some stiffness and I get tired but that is basically it.
The last remaining tube came out Wednesday, I saw the medical oncologist Thursday and I was prescribed anastrozole once a day for five years as a cancer blocker to put it in simple terms. There are some side effects such as tiredness, bone thinning, joint pain, among others but they are significantly less than with tamoxin?. I was prescribed the anastrozole because I am post menopause. The other drug is given to women who are pre menopausal. I also need to take a baby aspirin every day and can take my fish oil and other supplements which I take to support bones, muscles and ligaments. Reading the cancer message boards, I again see how fortunate I have been in that, a lot of those women also had chemo and radiation. Hopefully, I will not get any side effects, I think the dr. mentioned that about told 17% get them and they can adjust the medication if too bad. He said I was not going to get them,—he had a great bedside manner.
Went to the orthopedic dr today and got my first knee shot and brace and so hopefully my knee will cooperate.
Called HR at work and I will be getting a letter authorizing me to be off work until the beginning of the year.
Even tho I am feeling pretty good and the Drs are very pleased with my recovery, once I go back, it is full steam ahead and I think emotionally I need those extra two weeks.
Again, thank you all, you have been a great support.
Anaiss ⋅ December 05, 2014
I'm glad you're going to stay home until the first of the year. I've had experience coming back to work from several different surgeries and I learned my lesson about not coming back too soon. I tend to think I'm Super Human and I Can Do It, but as you said, it generally is full steam ahead even when my employer has assured me I could take it easy. Once you're at that desk, it doesn't work out that way.
QueenSuzu Anaiss ⋅ December 05, 2014
Yeah and I do feel a little guilty because the first dr gave me 12/22 but the other dr gave 1/5. And he is the one I am seeing more of so I will just have to get over feeling guilty--lol.
coffeemate ⋅ December 06, 2014
I took tamoxifen for 5 years. The side effects were really bad for the first few months but then got less the longer I took it. Sounds like you are doing great!
QueenSuzu coffeemate ⋅ December 06, 2014
Thanks for letting me know that as most of what I read the se got worse the longer they took it. Also some of the women were on tamoxifen and then went to the anastrozole.
coffeemate QueenSuzu ⋅ December 06, 2014
I am sure everyone reacts differently!
QueenSuzu coffeemate ⋅ December 06, 2014
Yeah they do but I like hearing about experiences, especially the positive ones and I keep finding myself thinking how very fortunate I am.
🌻StillJustMe🌸 ⋅ December 07, 2014
Very fortunate you are, for all the love and support you've received. So glad you have done so well!