10 years out and looking at bioidentical hormones

snapple7

lmartnc-

Wow! Bless you! Thank you for taking your time to respond so thoroughly and share your journey! You do write beautifully! Thanks for your support! I hear so many familiar feelings in your words. I also have a family history of depression. It’s a whole other disease that compounds every aspect of breast cancer. And yes, the well meaning suggestions of friends when you are being sucked down by that demon are like catching feathers in a wind storm. You cannot understand it unless you’ve been there-like most really difficult life experiences. To wake every morning to feel one of your favorite things about your body is now not only your least favorite, but is now hard to even look at...even though doctors, nurses, breast cancer friends tell you your reconstruction is one of the really great ones....and I was 42. Only married 10 months first marriage. Same thin-from healthy high libido to zero. I tell my husband he’s the victim of false advertising! He is the most wonderful man though and I’m very blessed in that.

I went 8 years eating no soy...avoiding anything that could possibly give me estrogen in any form. I did it all by the book. Only I did not do the AI treatment after 4 years of Tamoxifen due to terrible side effects. I also have hypothyroidism, although not as hard as your experience. I had a full hysterectomy 4 years in due to reoccurring polyps from the Tamoxifen. I will say, I never had an issue with wetting myself again after the removal of my uterus and ovaries, so I didn’t regret that.

I’m so sorry for your own terrible time. You’ve really been through it. I won’t begin to give advice or suggestions. But I will offer this, you aren’t alone! This is a terrible disease and to add other diseases on top like depression and severe thyroid disease...it’s just life changing in a very negative way. I do believe you will find your path through it, however. You sound like a very strong person! It’s a grieving process. Getting through grief and not stuck is the goal. It takes some of us longer than others. I’m at peace finally with my decision, although I do think about the what if sometimes. But I can honestly say I’m at acceptance. Finally. I do love this site. It truly saved me from day 1. I’m so grateful to be heard and understood. To find answers snd friends who get it. Thank you for your words! I’m praying this morning that you will move more swiftly though this process than I did and find ways that are right for you to get back your joy! God Bless!!!

Jons_girl

Well said Snapple...We have to all make the right decisions for each of us. Everyone is different. We just need to support each other and respect others decisions. This thread is really wonderful. Thank you for sharing your experience Snapple. I appreciate that.