Nerves?

[Chick44nzrn]

After 3 months on letrozole the bone pains and aches are more bearable now and generally life is happy , interesting and busy with a new position as governor to a local school for children with autism , but I seem to struggle with anxiety with pelvic twinges a bit like period pain , a very painful shoulder ( old op for rotator cuff injury( for which I take pain meds at night or I don’t sleep. So many symptoms increasingly seem to be saying gloom and doom and even though 2 months ago the blood tests were fine ( no tumour markers) etc I’m not coping so well. Had I v zoledronic acid for bone density which had ( of course) side effects : each drug needs another to counteract the side effects of the previous one!. In 3 weeks I’m flying to Auckland to my sons wedding 13 hours to Singapore /change planes/13 hours to NZ , a trip I’ve done a dozen or more times but now have lost confidence , and frankly am v nervous of the long journey , but of course seeing my 2 sons , daughters in law and little grandchildren will be lovely. With 2 daughters and 6 v small grandchildren here I guess the huge worry is being 12,000 miles away if my health goes downhill . I know I have so much to Be grateful for and I feel a bit ashamed to be complaining when so many other brave women are in a far worse place . I very rarely feel miserable and anxious but things seem to have overwhelmed my normal positive outlook! Love to you all

Denise

[VicReg Partner]

I don't think there is anything to be ashamed of, we are allowed to have bad days and acknowledging those days is beneficial to your overall well being. Life is about balance that includes balancing our emotions, when all we see is fear, we rarely see joy, but without fear/sadness, we also can't appreciate that good in our lives.

Fear after a breast cancer diagnosis is normal, especially if you aren't that far out from treatment. Fear/anxieties tend to creep up when around big events like long trips, weddings, births, etc. Especially when you'll be far from your medical team. You have to trust that you'll be okay and enjoy the time with your family celebrating life.

[Chick44nzrn in reply to VicReg]

Thank you for your reply . It was helpful and I know the “ what ifs” have to be coped with ! I think the impending big journey leaving behind my oncology team, my daughters etc raises inevitable worries

Best wishes to you x

[LotusAFlower]

I saw an interesting study by John Hopkins on TV the other day regarding the experimental use of LSD / mushrooms in a controlled therapy environment and how after just one treatment some cancer patients have a change in how they view their lives and feel more connected to the world and less stressed and fearful about death from cancer. I am not advocating anything and as a breast cancer patient myself I find myself feeling stressed and less confident from time to time...I wish you well and a fantastic journey with loved ones..

[Chick44nzrn in reply to LotusAFlower]

Thank you for your reply , which is appreciated , and I m aware the big journey looming will trigger anxieties : leaving my oncology team, my daughters and small grandchildren , even though I have 2 lovely sons in Auckland , and their little ones .

It’s the “ what ifs” that’s praying on my mind !!

X best wishes

[kduck]

Are you only taking letrozole? What time of day do you take it? Like you I also work and trying to find a good time to take it because it makes my body achy

[Chick44nzrn in reply to kduck]

Hello! Thanks for your reply . I take Letrozole at night along with Brufen retard

So the joint pains don’t keep me awake , but I still wake 2/3 times; not too bad . This last year has definitely changed my general mental and physical well-being but Im constantly trying to do most of the things I did a couple of years ago !! . It’s a struggle to fight against staying in bed too long , but I’m cooking for a get together for friends before my trip on Nov 3. . It’s next Saturday ..these latest scary symptoms and impending ct scans have been a worry!

X Denise

[Abshobha2709]

Hi Denise you are brave and always have a positive thinking you will fly to your kids without any problems and spend lot of time with your grand children. Enjoy your stay with them.

[Chick44nzrn in reply to Abshobha2709]

Thank you for your kind thoughtful words . It’s a v long journey as you know (26 hrs) and I pray nothing horrible goes wrong so I miss my sons wedding ! X Denise

[RLN-overcomer]

Sister/warrior do enjoy your sons wedding, don't worry about anything, but I do pray you will have a wonderful time. XoXo