I just posted about being on Anastrozole since Oct 5th. Well, now I’m not. I’ve had an increase in migraines and that is a side effect of that medication. Sigh…we will see what my oncologist decides when I see her next time. In the meantime, I’m hoping for a decrease in migraines.
My pulmonolgist put me back on oxygen at night and I will do another home study sleep test.
I’ve been on the Anastrozole (hormone suppression) since October 5th and so far I don’t seem to be having many side effects. I know that joint pain is a side effect, and I seem to have it in my feet, of all places. What I’ve noticed though, when I go downstairs for the first time of the day, my feet hurt. But once I’m up and moving around, it goes away.
I see the oncologist November 21 unless something happens that warrants a visit before then. The Anastrozole is a 5 year treatment, I’m officially in maintenance now.
I had to get an IV infusion of iron because it’s so low, and the oral supplements have not brought it up. Hoping this is the fix!
I realize it’s been a while since I updated you all. Sorry for that. September 16-28 I was off work for my surgery and recuperation. This is a long update.
On September 30, I saw a speech therapist for this crazy word stumbling. It has improved greatly since the surgery but it still happens when I’m tired. We will begin regular appointments next week.
I saw my PCP on Oct 1. She didnt like the looks of my iron level so we’re going to do more labs in 3 weeks. Regarding the MRI, it was essentially normal. There were some areas of chronic microvascular ischemia which, as she said were not normal but not unexpected.
My oncologist also didn’t like the lab results so she ordered more bloodwork. We are planning to start the Anastrozole again tonight, since the MRI was normal and these hormone suppression meds are a long-term treatment. She said I will be on it for 5 years. I think I did better on the Anastrozole than the other two I had tried. My anemia is still present and Dr DeYao is looking into what non oral iron supplements the VA will pay for, then I’ll get started on it. I believe she said it was an IV infusion. She is going to check in on me by phone after the labs are done.
I saw my plastic surgeon on October 2 and he did remove the abdominal drains – yay!! I can wear regular shirts again! He said I could take the dressings off the drain sites in 4 days, so I took them off this morning. My follow up with him is 4 weeks out. Hopefully at that time I can stop wearing the abdominal binder.
I see my breast surgeon next week. It’s our 1st 6 month check up. I don’t anticipate anything major to come from the appointment.
I’m no longer on the oxygen – yay! I do get kind of worn out by the end of my work day. And when I’m tired, the stuttering/stumbling starts. I also am having trouble with shortness of breath with exertion. Climbing the stairs at home wipes me out. I try to arrange tasks grouped by upstairs or downstairs to minimize how many trips up the stairs I have to make in a day. Walking just a little way also wipes me out and I have to stop to catch my breath, and walk very slowly.
I forgot to mention that my a1c is now 5.2 so I’m not pre-diabetic after all. I’m still researching in case it comes back in the future.
The ” club” that nobody wants to join. I’ll probably post this again in March, when I got my cancer free news. But I wanted to post now because of all I’ve been through so far: chemo, double mastectomy, and reconstruction. I want to celebrate the progress I’ve made so far. This progress has not been made on my own, I have an incredible support team!! Love you all, and thank you!!
I can hardly believe that it is already October! This time last year I was in the midst of chemo and all that entails. I have endured 6 sessions of chemo, having a double mastectomy and most recently reconstruction surgery that involved my abdomen and both breasts.
I’m feeling good overall, just having to work through the anemia I have had since chemo. I have had an amazing support system that helped both of us get through this. I am entering this October cancer free (since March) and hanging on and holding on to God, my faith, my family and loved ones.
