Need Reassurance

veronican

I wondered if I could get some reassurance.

I was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer estrogen positive 6mths after having a baby, 8mm, no lymph involvement but evidence of lymph vascular invasion. I had a lumpectomy to remove the tumor. My oncatype score was 29 so I am doing 4 rounds of TC chemo , following that will be radiation and tamoxifen treatment.

In between surgery and starting chemo I did fertility preservation and harvested 5 embryos. I really struggled with making the desision to do it as had concerns regarding the hormonal aspect it. I was reassured it was safe for me to do. I was advised on taking lezatrole to keep my estrogen levels low but I made unfortunate mistake on not taking the correct dose. The first five days I was only taking 2.5mg instead of 5mg and my estrogen levels at day 5 were over 2000. I panicked and spoke with my oncologist and she said it was ok, not to worry and to continue with it. I took the 5mg of Letrozole from that point on but my estrogen levels continued to rise throughout the next 7 days, on day 7 over 3000, and on day 9 it was 7000 on the last test. The total treatment took 12 days. The fertility doctors were not concerned and 4days after finishing my levels returned to normal and I started Chemotherapy straight away. But I can't get it out of my head how high my estrogen levels were and I regret doing it as I have so much anxiety about it now. I am on zoladex now while on chemo and it's going well.Struggling with my peace of mind on doing the fertility preservation. Before this happened I was very positive about my prognosis and wasn't overly worried about the cancer diagnosis. Can anyone offer any advise on trying not to panic too much on it?

gb2115

Hi veronican,

I don't know much about the fertility preservation, so I'm not completely understanding what you are worried about. Forgive my ignorance. Is it because your estrogen levels were high and you are worried that will cause more cancer?

veronican

Hi,

Yes I am worried it will cause more cancer. I have no peace of mind at mo. It’s keeps going around my head. I started chemo very quickly after so hoping that will prevent anything.. I feel really guilty when I look at my baby and think that I might have put myself at further risk of recurrence by my own actions. Throughout the treatment I was reassured the Letrozole was working and I was responding very well. There was 14 follicles and so there was a big response.. my oncologist who is well regarded said to continue even though the levels were high.. I wish in hindsight I just stopped at day 5 when I realised my levels were higher than normal.

Anyways I have to make peace with it as I can’t turn back time and trying to stay positive but finding it very difficult. Just looking for some reassurance here on the forum..

gb2115

I think maybe remembering that your levels were only high for a short time would ease your worry a little. Plus that was after surgery (cancer removed already right?) and before chemo. So rogue cells will be killed off. And then taking the letrozole, that will starve remaining cells. You will be on that for a long time as protection. My understanding is that bc doesn't grow that fast. I would think if your estrogen levels were high for a long time that would be more of a concern.

veronican

Thank you GB, your response helps. Yes it was after surgery and before chemo so I just have to focus on those positives. Thank you for taking the time to get back. I just have to learn to let it go and stop beating myself up about it. I finished with Letrozole 4 days after as levels were normal. Will start tamoxifen after chemo and radiation therapy. Happy to be going on it given it’s success

I hope you are well!

gb2115

:-). I am glad it helped. Have a nice holiday weekend!!