Joanne stayed on hormone therapy longer than she would have liked because she wanted to feel that she had done all she could to avoid a recurrence.

Written testimony

January was 4 years that I have been on Tamoxifen or Aromisin. So I said… that is 4 years, this January, just passed, I was going to go off, I was still blaming the fact that I was taking these drugs for all these body changes that was going on. I had my gynaecologist tell me no Joanne some of these effects will still be there. It is not the Aromisin and not the Tamixifen. So I really wanted to go off just to see. Anyway, I had my friends talking to me to stay on it for the fifth year because most research says 3 to 5 years doesn’t make much difference. So I stayed on it as they said “What happens if your cancer comes back in 2 or 3 years? Would you be wondering if you stayed on the drug for one more year would you have to not have it come back?”

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More content

• Alternative and complementary therapies -Joanne (B)
  The tingling in her hands was treated with deep tissue massage and that brought relief for Joanne.
• Endocrine (hormone) theraphy – Joanne (B) (2)
  Joanne blamed her weight gain on the hormones until her surgeon told her truthfully that it was not only the hormones.
• Endocrine (hormone) therapy -Joanne (B)
  Joanne changed hormone therapy after a hysterectomy, including the removal of the ovaries, and it is a bit better now but has had strong doubts about continuing.
• Chemotherapy -Joanne (B)
  Joanne explains what the chemo was like in practical terms and how she would visit the hospital for testing, go home, and receive chemo the next day.
• Surgery -Joanne (B)
  Joanne describes how it was to see her chest for the first time after surgery
• Managing within the health care system – Joanne (B)
  After her mastectomy Joanne was asked about her breast complaints during screening, Joanne responded with humour.
• First symptoms – Joanne (B)
  Due to her recent ectopic pregnancy, Joanne's doctor was not overly concerned about her breast tissue changes.
• Sexuality, femininity and intimacy -Joanne (B)
  Intercourse is a bit less spontaneous since Joanne needs to prepare herself.
• Work and finances – Joanne (B)
  Initially Joanne thought she would be the type that continues working but realized she needed some time to think.
• Follow-up care and the risk of recurrence -Joanne (B)
  Joanne stayed on hormone therapy longer than she would have liked because she wanted to feel that she had done all she could to avoid a recurrence.