Hi Nella, I'm still on Tamoxifen after 5 and a half years. Originally they'd said 5 years and then they decided 10 would be even better. When I started I had hot flushes which were really annoying but after a while they settled down and now I am not aware of any side effects. I have asked about stopping Tamoxifen just because on an emotional level I would prefer to not be taking drugs any more but the doctors recommend that I keep taking it and I also feel like I need to do everything I can to prevent cancer from coming back so I'm still taking it. Good luck with your radiation ... View more

Congratulations Harker! I've always loved your writing on this site and look forward to reading your book. ... View more

Congratulations Harker! I've always loved your writing on this site and look forward to reading your book. ... View more

Hi Barb, I'm glad your nurses are so nice. My nurses were all wonderful too and made the hospital a pleasant place to be. I liked my Herceptin visits - it was just a relaxing morning hanging out in a comfy chair, chatting to friendly staff and eating free food. There was the needle in my arm but nothing's perfect and it was no bother. I am a runner and my running is going quite well at the moment. It is much nicer now that daylight savings is here. I work as a computer programmer and we are working hard on a new version of our software. Just found out I have to go to interstate for a week in December to train a new customer. I've never done that before so that will be exciting. (I try to think "exciting" rather than "scary"!) Making Christmas cards sounds fun. I used to always do that when I was little, with coloured cardboard and texta and stickers. I'm sure yours are much more sophisticated that mine were! I don't really worry about the cancer coming back. I feel safe that it is all going to be ok now. Having said that, I am having my regular mammogram & ultrasound this week and I will glad to get some good results from that. Best Wishes Alli ... View more

Hi Barb, I guess you must be around your first anniversary of cancer now. I just had my third anniversary. I remember when I finished treatment how odd it was because it was obviously a happy thing but also it was weird being cast adrift from what had become the routine of going to the hospital. I had chemo & a right-side mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. I'm have Triptorelin (monthly injection) and Tamoxifen (tablets) for another 2 years and 2 and a half years respectively. I had menopause symptoms due to the medication turning off my ovaries - hot flushes in particular - but they have mainly subsided now. I started anti-depressants 2 years ago and I have been weaning off them over the last few months. I am very nearly off them - this week might be the week I stop them. I am pleased about that, I feel better without them. I am still seeing a counsellor but while I used to cry buckets while talking to her, the last visit the only time I needed the tissues was when I had tears from giggling so much. Sometimes when I think 'hey, I had cancer' it is such a weird and unlikely thought that I can hardly believe that it happened. But, mainly I think I have accepted it and absorbed it into my life. What treatment are you having? I hope it is going well. That's great news that you are cancer-free now. Best wishes Allicat ... View more

Thanks for sharing your story. Very true is a good way to describe it. ... View more

I do not mean to defend Lance Armstrong because I think he is a scumbag, but he still did survive his cancer and so in that way he can still be an encouraging story. ... View more

Hi Glenys, How are you going? Has talking with the psychologist been helpful? Often, after I have talked to my counsellor, I want to then talk to someone else about the counselling session. Best wishes Allicat ... View more

Hi Glenys, I don't think your husband can say it's taking you "too long" to recover as there surely not any rules about how long it should take. All of us have our different problems which are hard for each of in different ways. But for your own sake it would be good if you were able to accept your surgery and move forward with less of a burden. It is good you are going to see a psychologist. I go to a counsellor and I think talking with someone is very helpful. I hope you will find it helpful too. When I was going through treatment I used to say to myself "One day this will all be in the past" and a while ago I realised that I have gotten to that point emotionally. Cancer no longer dominates my thoughts, and no longer has any great impact on my day-to-day life. Best Wishes Alli ... View more

Hi Glenys, How are you? I hope things are going ok. I had my hair cut recently as it was getting annoying as it took so long to wash and dry and comb etc. So my lovely curls are gone which is sad but I think it looks quite cute now (shoulder length) and it is much easier to deal with. I am feeling quite well and happy with life at the moment. A few weeks ago I ran my first marathon. Alli ... View more