Grace's Breast Cancer Journey

Celebrating Three Years

It has been three years since I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a double mastectomy on May 10, 2017. That was followed by chemo and radiation. Details are available on previous post.

I’m happy to report that I’m doing quite well. The transitions off of Letrisole, which was causing bone density loss, and onto Tamoxifen, a different anti-estrogen drug, have gone smoothly. The only side effects from either of them have been a few hot flashes: none that last long or are frequent and mostly at night. I am now also taking Alendronate, which is a bone density builder.

We did take a three-week trip to Ireland in Sept./October, 2019 and really enjoyed it. The fact that it rained much of the time did not stop us as we are Oregonians. The third day after arriving, however, I tore a cartilage in my knee, so I spent the remainder of the trip on crutches. I didn’t let that slow me or the others down. It seems to have healed and is not giving me any trouble. I did have to quit my aerobics class that I had been taking and transition to working out on machines in the gym.

Since the middle of January we have been at our place in Green Valley, Arizona. I was able to teach all eleven of my classes at the camera club, all but one of them on iPhone Photography. They were very popular.

Then came the Covid-19 virus and everything changed. I have to say being here isn’t as much fun as it is when we don’t have to stay home and we can meet with friends or go to the pool. We plan to return to Portland mid May. By then we will be really tired of the 90 -100 degree weather.

In July I am scheduled to see my oncologist for my 6 month exam. I have also been accepted as a patient by an endocrinologist who specializes in bone density loss, and I will see her in July as well.

I will report back in a year unless there is something noteworthy to share.

That is all for now. Check the main website for pictures and other activities.