Somewhere here in early December I've passed my five year mark. Living five years past the date I was officially diagnosed with breast cancer.
As far as anniversaries go, it's a biggie in cancer survivor land. I suppose party hats and cake were in order. Instead I'm forced to mark the occasion with anemia, caused by my four years of tamoxifen treatment.
That means I'm tired. More tired than at any time over the past five years, in fact. If I ever felt sick with cancer, now is the time.
And this makes absolutely no sense to most people. They say: "What do you mean you feel bad now? The five-year clock just struck, you're supposed to be dancing in the street and what-not."
Well, let me remind you again--as I have been reminded again--that cancer doesn't follow the Hallmark Channel script we've all internalized.
It's a bitch for a long, long time. If you're lucky enough to get that time.
12 comments:
Thanks for this sharing!!!!!!!!!! List of medical centers in Germany for Uterine cancer treatment
are they going to put you on Epo?
So did you develop the anemia while you were still on Tamoxifen or has the anemia come on recently, after you stopped taking it? I am also curious as to why the docs think your anemia is due to the tamoxifen, as I did some searching and couldn't find anemia as one of the major side effects of tamoxifen (althoug there are certainly many other side effects).
I developed it about six weeks after I stopped the tamoxifen. That's when I started shedding an endometrium lining 3x as thick as should be, thanks to tamox. The number they follow for anemia went from 13 to 9 in a few days' time. They offered D&C and ablation or iron pills. I'm entirely anti-surgery, so I chose the longer route of iron pills and continued ultrasounds. There's been some concern that epogen can act as "miracle gro" for tumors, so I'm avoiding that route.
OK, that explains the anemia. I thought it strange that your anemia started after withdrawal off tamox, but that makes more sense now - I was worried that you might be having bone marrow suppression for an unexplained reason. In my work, I deal specifically with lots of drugs that cause hematological disturbances, but it is usually coincident with starting or taking the drug, not when coming off. I knew tamox could cause low white cell and platelets, but didn't see low red cells as a side effect as often. I think you've made a wise decision on the iron pills and ultrasounds. I would up your red meat intake as well, as it is the best bioavailable source of iron, much better than vegetable sources (like spinach). BTW, send me your new contact info so we can catch up!
ps. when you take your iron pills, think about washing it down with some orange juice, or something else equally acidic. It will help the iron stay in the form that is best absorbed by the body. :)
It's a "bitch." That's putting it mildly. I love this post. Thank you. But I'm still glad you've reached this milestone. Milestones are over-rated though, don't you think?
You are one most inspiring survivor, I have ever come across.
Thanks for the information. Keep posting.
Lopsided Blogger,
Just wanted to let you know I am sharing this post on facebook. I really like how you can say so much in just a few words. I tend to be too wordy! I think this post says it all. Thank you.
Thanks nancyspoint! And I think you use just the perfect number of words everytime.
Excellent post, reminding us that there is a price for all "treatment." I'm sorry you are suffering from anemia. Everything cancer-related simply sucks.
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