Stacy Watson’s life took a drastic turn 6 days before she turned forty-five when she was diagnosed with triple-positive breast cancer. Her journey was filled with challenges that tested not only her physical endurance but also her mental and emotional resilience. Her story is beyond one of survival, but one of thriving after breast cancer through hormone therapy.
The Battle Begins: Diagnosis and Treatment
Once Stacy was diagnosed with breast cancer, she decided to undergo a double mastectomy. The way her doctor described her condition, she felt like she wasn’t left with many options even though she desperately wanted some. The choice was not an easy one, but what choice was there? Her battle was far from over. Her oncologist told her that there was no time to “dilly dally around” and that she needed to undergo surgery and chemotherapy. All the vigor Stacy had before her diagnosis was going to be stripped away. Her libido would decrease, there would be significant hair loss, and her overall quality of life would not be what it was.
Stacy felt a wave of fear and urgency leaving the oncologist’s office. The weight of her diagnosis settled heavily upon her, but the thought of her two young sons fueled a fire within. She knew she had to fight, not just for herself, but for them. With newfound determination, Stacy decided to embark on her chemotherapy journey.
The Aftermath of Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is an essential part of treatment for many breast cancer patients, but its impact on the body can be overwhelming. Stacy faced intense side effects, including fatigue, brain fog, and bouts of low mood. As she put it, “Not only do they kill the cancer, but they also kill everything else in your life—your mental health, your drive, your ambition, your goals.” For Stacy, these side effects felt like an added burden, stealing away the life she had known before her diagnosis.
Stacy found it difficult to find hope with the incredible amount of mental toll she was undertaking. “I honestly got to the point where I just could not see how to move forward,” she recalls, highlighting the emotional and psychological toll it took on her.
Discovering Hormone Therapy
After battling the debilitating side effects of chemotherapy and the fear of recurrence, Stacy’s husband empathized with her struggles and decided to do some research to explore other options to improve her quality of life. Stacy’s husband went to an EvexiPEL Hormone Replacement Therapy training hosted by Dr. Terri DeNeui, where she spoke about a holistic approach to healing through hormone therapy. Through her work with an integrative medicine specialist, Stacy embarked on a new path that would drastically change her life.
Hormone therapy, although not as commonly discussed for breast cancer survivors, has been shown to provide relief for those who suffer from post-treatment symptoms. For Stacy, it was a game-changer. After a year of being on hormone therapy, she felt better than she had before her cancer diagnosis. “Each time was a little bit better,” she said, ” I’m a year out, and I feel better than I did before the diagnosis.”
The Impact of Hormone Therapy
The positive impact of hormone therapy on Stacy’s life cannot be understated. It significantly improved her energy levels, helped to clear the brain fog, and lifted her mood. But perhaps more importantly, it gave her a sense of hope and control over her life once again. Hormone therapy helped Stacy regain the parts of herself that chemotherapy had taken away.
Stacy’s experience is a testament to the power of hormone therapy in helping breast cancer survivors regain their vitality. While it’s not the right option for everyone, Stacy’s story is a reminder that there are alternative therapies that can greatly improve the quality of life for survivors.
Moving Forward with Hope
Stacy’s journey is not just about survival—it’s about thriving after breast cancer. Her experience with hormone therapy highlights the importance of advocating for oneself and seeking alternative therapies when conventional treatments fall short. It also serves as a reminder that every woman’s journey with breast cancer is unique. What works for one person may not work for another, but the key is to explore all options and have open conversations with healthcare providers.
For women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer or are currently undergoing treatment, Stacy’s story offers hope. There are options available beyond conventional treatments, and hormone therapy could be one of them. However, it’s crucial to consult with a doctor before starting any new form of therapy, particularly after cancer treatment.
If there’s one takeaway from Stacy’s story, it’s that breast cancer survivors should never stop seeking ways to improve their quality of life. The battle may be tough, but there is always hope for a better tomorrow.