A blessed Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time of year to reflect on our lives and count our blessings, one by one, as the hymn goes. I have just been advised to stop taking Arimidex, an anti-estrogen daily pill I have taken for over six years. My former oncologist counseled me to stay on this pill for life, but my new doctor believes there is no further benefit, and there are even risks, in taking it longer than needed. So I will be stopping it starting in the New Year.
Since I had a recurrence two years after I got off tamoxifen in 2001, I am a bit apprehensive about discontinuing my daily Arimidex. It’s like a security blanket, but with prickly side effects. My doctor said I could take Evista (raloxifene) for a further five years to ward off my anxiety. But the possibility of experiencing deep vein thrombosis, stroke or other nasties from this tamoxifen-like drug do not seem worth it. And like Arimidex, this drug has no generic equivalent. So it would further drain my bank account as well as my estrogen.
This Thanksgiving I’m resolved to throw my fears out the window, to be grateful to God that I no longer need any adjuvant drug. I believe I’ve done all I can do to reduce my risk of another recurrence by enduring a bilateral mastectomy, two aggressive courses of chemo and a year of Herceptin.
Perhaps being off Arimidex will be like pressing the “Pause” button on my post-menopausal symptoms. Maybe my hair will have a chance to thicken and my night sweats, hot flashes and joint pain will subside. Maybe I’ll even lose weight! What a wonderful blessing all that would be. But if I don’t recover any youthful traits, that’s okay, too. My heavenly Father knows best. And for that I am the most grateful as we wrap up 2009.
A joyous and blessed Thanksgiving to one and all!
Jan
Dear JAn.
I enjoyed meeting you yesterday at Lyons. It was a very well organized, thoughtful reception. Mingling with other authors and exchanging experiences was really enlightening. I am sorry you are going through such a difficult time. I have known a number of people, friends, who had cancer but still lived to a ripe old age. There is always hope.
Best wishes,
Helga
Dear Helga,
I likewise enjoyed meeting you at Lyons. The reception was indeed very well thought-out and pleasant. I learned so much from other authors, both tips and interesting anecdotes. I especially liked your stories of Germany in the sixties. Thank you for your concern about my cancer. Many cancer survivors are living longer than ever. And you are right: there is always hope.
All the best to you,
Jan