7 years on.

Next month it will be 7 years since I was first diagnosed with grade 3 breast cancer. The chemo I had was very aggressive and I now take a hormone based tablet to prevent a return of the cancer which is causing my arthritis to get worse and has also now caused my bones to start thinning. I am in a lot of pain because of arthritis but am reluctant to stop taking the medication as I am quite frankly scared that the cancer will make a return if I do, so I am in a no win situation really, constant unremitting pain of arthritis or the constant fear of cancer coming back. My oncologist told me that I have a better chance by taking the medication and so I would prefer to do so, but I am getting to the end of my tether some days with the pain I have. I cannot sleep well, due to pain, and am back on anti inflammatories and pain killers which I did not want to start taking again. I have now had to start taking calcium and vitamin D3 which I suspect is making me have pains in my stomach which is not good as I presume I shall have to take it for life. I have also got oral thrush, caused by the steroid inhaler I take for asthma, so I am having some vile tasting medicine which I have to keep in my mouth as long as possible, then gargle with and swallow so it could be that which is making my stomach hurt. I hope it is the thrush medication rather than the calcium as I only have to have it for a couple of weeks until it has gone so I shall wait and see. Knowing my luck it will be the calcium which is long term. Oh well, needs must!