How long have I got?

[dozydora]

4 years ago I had breast cancer which ended in total mastectomy 17 lymph glands removed, chemo and radiotherapy. I had always presumed that with all that treatment and taking Arimidex meant I was in remission. Yet I read an article by Kylie saying she lived in fear of hers coming back, a thought which had not occurred to me. I do not want to ask my consultant. x

[cruella]

dozy
Any person who has suffered from Cancer always has that fear of it returning.
I am sure with all the surgery and treatment you have had, you Consultant would have explained all this to you. If they told you are in remission, then try to forget about it. Chances are it will not return.
Consultants are normally very up front with patients now, as they feel a patient has a right to know about their condition.
If you are still worried, then I suggest you voice your concerns to your Consultant or your GP
No disrespect to Kylie, but all this is publicity.
Most of us have family who are or were fighting Cancer. People get on with their lives the best they can.
I wish you all the best. I am sure there is not a lot to worry about. xxx

[dozydora]

Cruella you have eased my mind

[Whoever]

dozy - why don't you want to talk to your consultant. He is on your side and is in a far better position to give you the information you want to hear (or don't want to hear) than any of the speculative stories about other people you read in the press. Of course it's natural that you should fear the cancer might return, but you are having the best treatment possible and have a very good chance that you have beaten it. Don't let these worries build up in your head. Talk to some of the experts who are familiar with your medical record. They are used to dealing with questions of this nature and will be honest with you if you tell them that is how you want to be treated. But try to make the most of every day and enjoy what you have now. Remember that "worry is the interest paid on something that might never happen".

[Dollie]

I agree with the two answers you have had entirely - I work in a hospice and do see plenty of people who's cancer has unfortunately returned - breast of otherwise. Having said that, for every one of them, there are likely ten others who's cancer never returns. It really isn't worth wasting your life worrying about it, as you may fail to get enjoyment from the 'here and now.' I hope you are one of the lucky ones Dora, but like Kylie, anyone who has had it will always face the possibility of it coming back. Good luck xx

[burbie]

13 years ago I too had a mastecomy, removal of eleven lymph glands.
I had chemo and radiotherapy,
I took Tamoxifen first and then when it came available Arimidex.
You have been well for 4 years now, which is quite a long time since your treatment, so there is good reason for you to be very positive.
I have two friends who have also been in this position.
One had it ll yrs ago, and the other 15ys.
There are a lot of us survivers out there, so dont worry about it for too long.
Ive been away for the bank holiday, so Ive only just seen your post. Best wishes.

[Ice.Maiden]

Dora - my friend had a double mastectomy, and was on medication for 5 years afterwards. She still has blood tests every so often, to make sure that there's nothing untoward, but 9 years on, she's as fit as ever. You're bound to think, now and again, but I think you have a very good survival rate! Best of luck to you. xxx