Zoladex (goserelin) implant injection
I had my first Zoladex (goserelin) implant injection today. The needle was large, but the nurse, Fiona, was efficient and calm, and she used numbing cold spray beforehand. The injection itself didn’t hurt much in the moment — she pinched some tummy fat and it was done quickly — but a few hours later the area is quite sore.
Free
I’m fortunate to receive pain relief and other medications at no cost. When you are treated for cancer there are often supportive drugs provided, which has been a real help. My background in pharmacy has been useful too — knowing about medicines has made this easier to navigate.
Zoladex implant every 28 days
I’ll need a Zoladex implant every 28 days. The implant releases goserelin steadily into my bloodstream and suppresses ovarian function, effectively causing a medical menopause by stopping the ovaries from producing oestrogen. It sounds futuristic, but it’s a standard treatment to reduce hormones that can fuel certain cancers.
Although the side effects can be difficult — hot flushes, sweating, and other menopause-like symptoms — this treatment increases the effectiveness of other medications used to lower the risk of recurrence, so it’s worth it for the benefit it offers.
Menopause
Women already post-menopause often have more preventive medication options available, which can be an advantage. I feel for younger patients who haven’t had children yet; for me, having completed my family means I’m able to accept ovarian suppression without worrying about fertility preservation right now.
Herceptin
Many people ask what Herceptin is and how it works. It’s used when a tumour tests HER2 positive. HER2 is a protein that, when present in high amounts, can make cancer more aggressive. Because my cancer was HER2 positive, we needed to know whether it would respond to treatment before surgery, so chemotherapy was given first to see if the tumour would shrink or slow down.
Unfortunately I had to stop chemotherapy after two sessions because my body couldn’t tolerate more; it would likely have been dangerous to continue. The good news is the tumour did respond to those two cycles of FEC, so that tells us the cancer is sensitive to treatment and Herceptin may be effective if needed again.
NHS information
Here is a clear summary from the NHS about HER2 and Herceptin:
- HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) is a protein present in all human cells; in some cancers its levels are unusually high.
- High levels of HER2 are found in some breast and stomach cancers. These are called HER2 positive cancers; around one in five breast and stomach cancers are HER2 positive.
- Herceptin helps control the growth of cancer cells with high HER2 by blocking the protein’s effects and helping the immune system target abnormal cells.
- Herceptin does not cure metastatic breast and stomach cancers, but it can slow growth and extend survival time.
I receive Herceptin by infusion every three weeks for a year. I’ve just had my sixth treatment. For me the pattern has been feeling quite unwell for about 7–10 days afterwards, then slowly recovering a bit. Everyone reacts differently, but right now I’m in the phase of starting to feel better — which is encouraging.
Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy
I often get asked how I know Clare from Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy. Early in my diagnosis a friend, Hannah, cooked for us and shared Clare’s cookbook as her secret. While I was in hospital, Hannah told me about Clare’s Facebook page, so I requested to join and bought the book. We clicked straight away — I love the recipes and use the book all the time. I often adapt the recipes for my family, but it’s the easiest cookbook I’ve used, and the wipe-clean cover is a lifesaver.
Meeting in real life
We had never met in person until recently. Last weekend Clare treated us to lunch, and Hannah and I brought Freya. It felt as if we’d known each other forever. Clare also brought gifts — including the most delicious carrot cake and lemon drizzle cake I’ve had — and we left feeling very spoilt and grateful. It’s been a reminder that kindness from others can be a huge comfort when you’re unwell.
Family and relationships
Several people have asked for an update about the young couple in our family. Nathan and Paige are doing well together; she visits every Sunday and feels part of the family already. It’s lovely to see them getting along and supporting each other.
How do I feel?
Physically I still ache and remain very tired. The fatigue can make me feel much older than I am, and I know it’s difficult for Phil too. I try to keep busy because staying mentally engaged helps me cope. Work keeps my mind active, though it can be taxing physically. I’m grateful to colleagues and friends who have been caring and supportive.
One improvement this week: I managed to roll over in bed without intense pain in my reconstructed breast. It still feels bruised and numb, but that small step felt like progress.
Design
I’m considering a tattoo to cover my reconstructed breast — something beautiful to transform a reminder of cancer into a sign of renewal. I’m thinking of five butterflies to represent my family and new beginnings. We plan to visit the East Coast Tattoo Convention as a family project. I’m open to being photographed or filmed during the process, and I’ve even applied to TV shows, although I haven’t heard back yet. I may need sponsorship to cover the cost, so any ideas would be welcome.
OCTOBER 16, 2015 ~ TRACEY BRITTEN
Zoladex (goserelin) implant injection