On my last appointment with my oncologist this past March 2025, after finishing over 16 months of brutal cancer treatments (chemo, surgery, blood transfusions, radiation), she recommended to me that I needed to take an additional drug (Zometa, click here) to deal with my anticipated bone degradation. Apparently, my being on Letrozole (click here) for the next five to ten years, would result in me developing osteoporosis due to the hormone blockers the Letrozole utilizes, thus lowering my calcium levels. She sent me for a bone density test and it concluded I did not have osteoporosis BUT I did have the preliminary osteopenia**.
As a precaution, my oncologist advised that I should take an additional drug infusion this upcoming June that would help in my bone protection. I hesitantly agreed at first till I did some research and found out the drug she was recommending, Zometa, was to treat bone cancer.
I called my oncologist and asked her this simple question: "Do I have bone cancer? Is there something you're not telling me?" She responded and told me I didn't have bone cancer but one of the advantages of Zometa was that it would pre-treat the osteoporosis. "But I don't have osteoporosis either" was my response. I didn't see any benefit in taking another cancer drug that wasn't needed for any specific health matter. The side effects alone of Zometa, added in with the side effects of Letrozole made the combination, to me, totally uncalled for and overkill. Literally.
These are the side effects of Letrozole:
And here are the side effects of Zometa:
Let's face the facts. Despite what these cancer doctors tell you, your remission (as my breast surgeon claims I am) your cancer, one day, WILL COME BACK. Period. Maybe in a month. Maybe in a year. Maybe in 10 years. There's no guarantee. My oncologist says my cancer has metastasized. My breast cancer surgeon says it has not. You tell me: who should I believe? Neither one of them. They both put me through hell and to tell you the truth I never felt as if I had cancer in the first place. I never felt any lumps in my breasts but all the tests they prescribed said otherwise.
Oh well. So here I am now. I suffer greatly from the side effects of Letrozole. I'm weak. I'm dizzy. I can't drive. I can't go to functions. I get confused at times. I get depressed. It's a challenge just to tie my shoes on in the morning. But I muddle through because I know the end result, death, might come faster than I want it to if I don't take my meds. The type of cancer I have/had was aggressive. If and when it comes back it will either be in my brain, my lungs, my bones or my blood. It will be Stage IV (4) and there will be no cure. Just more and more cancer drugs to keep me alive.
Is this any way, I ask myself constantly, I want to live?
Right now, my answer is yes. BUT if it gets any worse or if my quality of life declines any more, I want to get off this train wreck and be left alone. I told my oncologist I will NOT be taking any more un-needed cancer drugs. The Letrozole is quite enough. She gave me a hard time at first but then later had her assistant call me back and inform me that they cancelled my June infusion. I want to be left alone. I don't want to go inside any more hospitals. I don't want to be on any more infusion lines. I don't want to sit next to another fading infusion patient and see those desperate eyes just begging for yet another day of life.
I'm done. I'm 74 years old. I'm happy with the quality of the life I have right now. I'm eating right. I'm exercising. I lost 42 pounds and am keeping it off. I'm lifting weights (which help increase bone mass). I'm happy at home. I'm happy with my family. I'm happy walking and playing with my dog. I'm happy tending to my garden, paying the bills, buying our needs, saving money, doing the family bookkeeping. I want to enjoy every single second I have left on this earth and I am not going to spend one second of it vomiting over a toilet bowl in hopes of another day on this earth. I will NOT again, lose my hair! Life on this earth, to me, ain't what it used to be. (Don't get me started on that! LOL) But life on this earth is sure a lot better than the alternative.
Our town pool opens up this Memorial Day. I've already contacted my 'pool buddies' and we're meeting at the pool by noon. I'll be wearing my new swim suit while showing off my new, 42 pound lighter physique. I've also got a backyard potluck BBQ the very next day in my neighborhood. I'll be laughing and having a good time with all my friends, family and neighbors once again. That's what I want. That's what I have and I am not going to give up this good life for anybody or anything. I paid my dues. I did my time. I believe my breast surgeon that I'm in remission and cancer-free. All my tests came back negative. NED (No Evidence of Disease) Let's hope and pray the good Lord up above gives me more time. That's about the only commodity I have left in this world: time. Time well spent.
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| Me, this morning, as I write this blog post. |
** "Osteopenia is often described as "pre-osteoporosis" because it is a condition of low bone density that is not as low as osteoporosis. While osteopenia itself doesn't always lead to osteoporosis, it increases the risk of developing osteoporosis and fractures."
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I hope you enjoy your life to the fullest. I am starting to wonder the true purpose of all this medication pushing. I have been dealing with something similar from my physician lately.
ReplyDeleteHi Ms. Sandie. It's no secret that doctors get a kickback from the pharmaceutical companies. This is my gut feeling from what I experienced with my oncologist: at first I told her I would take the bone infusion. She explained to me it would help with my bones. I swear, when I told her yes, I swear to God, that woman looked like she just had an orgasm. I'm sorry for being graphic. But her elation was noticeable. When I got home, I called her office and asked her assistant for the name of the drug. When I did my research, I was astounded at what I found out. The drug, for me, was totally unnecessary. I found the whole matter very disconcerting. We have to be our own advocates. Do the research. The internet is more viable, especially now that AI is available. We'll get the truth and the facts. Also, I know we're not doctors but we do have gut feelings. Trust your gut. Thanks for your comment. I wish you well.
DeleteHi Cindy. First of all I'm so sorry you had to go through all of this. Something like this is so physically, emotionally and mentally exhausting.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you've been given the all clear by your breast surgeon.
The side effects of so many of these drugs are horrible and cause more problems. I don't blame you for deciding not to take any more nor to spend any of your precious time in hospitals and infusion centers. Quality of life is what is important and I pray you have many, many more years of quality life doing what you enjoy with those you love.
Hi Lori. I think I suffer enough under the letrozole. I'm always dizzy, have to hold onto the walls sometimes when I walk around the house for fear of falling. I get brain fog, bouts of depression and am tired, tired, tired. I have enough to contend with. I don't need or want anymore. I can just about keep up with my chores etc. I can still fend for myself and occasionally I can drive, but it must be local. I'm NOT giving up any more of my freedoms. Or my quality of life. I can handle what I'm going through right now. Did I mention my hair is thinning? Darn!! Anyway, all is good. Thanks for your comment.
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