Hormone Therapy

22 February 2023, William Harvey Hospital

Started the week back at WH, seeing my oncologist. An appointment that I normally dread.

After being in survival mode on the treadmill of treatments for so long it’s hard to put my hands up and say I’m really struggling. I’m the worst at always saying ‘I’m fine’ and to keep pushing on through.

Whilst most people would probably assume that things just go back to normal after finishing chemotherapy & radiotherapy but this couldn’t be further from the truth.

With my breast cancer being oestrogen driven I have a long road ahead of me with hormone therapy. After being put in a medical menopause for the last 7 months, recently introducing Tamoxifen on top might have been my tipping point. Combining both of these 2 drugs together, experiencing side effects of hot flushes, night sweats, broken sleep, weight gain, brain fog, mood swings, lows & a couple of other delights it’s A LOT.

But the worst one of all is the fear of feeling myself drift into this really dark place, not remembering the last day I got through without crying. It’s scary losing sight of who you are.

And so we have had to make some big decisions. We are stopping my Zoladex injections completely and taking a small break from Tamoxifen.

Feeling bloody relieved and grateful to be able to give my body a little rest from it all. For having an amazing oncologist who can read me even before the tears started flowing. (again, for the 10000th time) And for the chance to reset and start again hopefully in a better place.

🙏🏻