You may have realized by now that I never do anything the easy way! I had to stop taking the second medication because of difficult side effects. After a lot of research and discussing everything with my doctor, we have decided to try another medication. The meds they want me to take will help stop the breast cancer from returning, although it is no guarantee.
There are 3 drugs classified as aromatase inhibitors, which basically rid your body of all the estrogen and starve the cancer cells. I will start the exemestane this weekend (after my scheduled Friday colonoscopy). The risk/reward ratio is substantial enough to give it a try. If I experience adverse side effects again we will stop this medicine also, and move on to one last similar drug.
Tamoxifen has been around much longer than the above mentioned aromatase inhibitors. Tamoxifen is in a class of drugs called selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). It works differently. It binds to estrogen receptors and blocks the hormone from fueling cancer cell growth. My mother took this medication back in the late 1990's.
I will try exemestane first and stop it if I run into problems again (I will know within two weeks). If I need to, I will start the Tamoxifen and do the same two-week trial. If I cannot tolerate either of these, then I will be carefully monitored, and if the cancer returns, they will recommend doing the double mastectomy at that point.
I am still managing one day at a time. It is well with my soul. I am enjoying every minute with my granddaughter. Life is pretty good, even in the midst of these trials. Glory be to God!
Until Next Time~
Shari
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