Estrogen

Joellelee ... if what you wanted to do was discuss tamoxifen and trade information about the pro's and con's of taking it, then that's what a few of us were trying to do.  However, discussion usually entails the give- and take of information, not the complete- and utter rejection of anyone's opinion but your own.  Yeah, we got that you were scared of tamoxifen.  Loud and clear!  And you posted the source that concerned you.  A few of us looked at your source, read through the material, and tried to discuss that, perhaps, that source wasn't the most reliable and that you should, maybe, be widening your research before rejecting tamoxifen out-of-hand based on a questionable source.  A few links were provided for you to peruse.  At no time was anyone trying to tell you that your decision was wrong; we were only (trying!) to point out that more research may be a good idea.

Unfortunately, every time you responded, you shot yourself in the foot and revealed your agenda.  You had no intention of taking tamoxifen (which is entirely your right) and, moreover, you wanted everyone posting to agree not only with your decision, but your reasons for doing so.  That's okay too.  However, when you started inferring that those of us who made different decisions and used different sources were destined to a early, horrible death (by either tamoxifen or chemotherapy), you crossed a line.

There are a lot of new women to the boards who are struggling with the fear of a new diagnosis and information-overload.  The tactics you chose to take in putting your point across were upsetting for those in the process of designing their treatment programmes and comtemplating tamoxifen.  Yes, you are entitled to your opinion.  Yes, you are entitled to make choices regarding what you are prepared to do.  But, geez, woman!  Don't scared the bejayzus out of people with your claims that conventional treatment is going to kill each and every one of us!  Learn to tread more gently.

Believe you me, mind reading was NOT necessary. 

Joellelee - why no comment on the LifeMath figures? They do show an obvious benefit from chemo/hormone tx in your case.

My onc never mentioned LifeMath, but seeing I can't speak to him, it is a useful tool to calculate possible recurrence. I'm sure the computer programmers put a lot more effort into it than you think NattyPatty - being one myself, there is no way they would make stuff up. Incidentally - it was spot on with the recurrence rate my onc gave me.

Joellelee - I think your onc or you may be mistaken - 7 positive nodes is very serious.

Suzie, so sorry to hear your current doc is using Lifemath. You must be scared. I'm sure you can find a doc who doesn't use a theoretical program. Are you near a city? Hang in there.

J - I guessed your age as being 45 and then 50 - both of those ages with your diagnosis showed an improvement of survival of 18% and 15% when adding chemo to the hormone therapy.

A 50% chance of survival without treatment sure wouldn't help me sleep at night.

Suze, so sorry your doc is giving you inflated figures. You need to get the studies yourself and get the absolute risk numbers. Bring them here okay? Then maybe find a new doc.

Joellelee... will you PLEASE just STOP.   I agree that you seem to - somehow - be getting off on being confrontational.  This is so not cool.  We have, all, recognized your right to your opinion and beliefs, so will you PLEASE quit coming back and stirring the pot with your comments.  You are making an awful lot of statements that have no basis in truth and are bordering on inflammatory.  "... the shattering consequences down the road ..." with regards to taking tamoxifen is akin to fear-mongering and is completely irresponsible.   Even if it's your own post - and you keep reiterating that - you still have to be accountable for what you are saying.  Scaring newly-diagnosed women to death is NOT providing information and support.  Opinions are always welcome if they are posed in a respectful and compassionate manner with an eye kept to the fact that many women are facing difficult decisions and do NOT need to be bombarded with statements saying, for example, that conventional treatment will absoluately kill you down the road and that you are shocked that those of us who do choose conventional treatment are willing to risk such an outcome  This is neither accurate nor kind... and the LOL's and the little smiley faces cannot disguise that.

Kudos to you for feeling so confident in your treatment plan.  I think that's lovely and I wish you all the best.  Now, please, just be quiet and go away and follow your preferred treatment plan.  You are not making any friends with your combative and insensitive approach.

I use complementary treatment such as magnesium drops. I also have done a lot of research into alternatives and I'm afraid it just doesn't stack up.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22863642

I hopped into this forum to get more info on estrogen and what the hell I'm supposed to be eating and not eating with my breast cancer...is this the place I'm supposed to be? Seems like I walked into a hornets nest of another kind!

Sun, I just looked at the thread thinking a little of the same thing, that perhaps I would learn something about recurrence, etc. All I see is arguing.



From what I can tell, Joelllele started this thread, she is correct.



I am thinking there are plenty of other threads that address the tamoxifen issue and the complementary approach in conjunction with, or separately.



Rather than just read pages of arguing, lets seek those threads out.