In 2007, I survived a traumatic brain injury that forever changed how I navigate life. Then in 2020, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer. I thought the hardest part would be surgery and radiation. What I didn’t expect was how a little white pill—Tamoxifen—would nearly break me in a way cancer didn’t.
After my lumpectomy and radiation, my oncologist prescribed Tamoxifen. I was already on Prozac and, like any responsible patient, I made sure to tell him about every medication and vitamin I was taking.
Still, the prescription went through.
The moment I started Tamoxifen, I became someone I didn’t recognize—overwhelmed with fear, anxiety, and a haunting sense that something was “off.” I had survived cancer and a brain injury, yet this medication made me feel like I was losing my grip on life.
When I asked my doctor why he would give me Tamoxifen while I was on Prozac, he shrugged and said: “Oh, I must have missed that.”
That one sentence crushed me. I had trusted that my voice mattered, but in that moment, I realized it hadn’t.
So, I made the hardest but clearest decision for myself: I stopped taking Tamoxifen. It wasn’t because I wanted to give up—it was because I wanted to live fully, without the crushing weight of fear and anxiety that medication had brought into my life.
What I learned is this: You must be your own advocate. Doctors are human, and sometimes they miss things. But your body, your mind, and your life are too important to be ignored.
If you’re on a treatment that makes you feel like you’re not yourself, speak up. Ask questions. Demand to be heard. Because survival isn’t just about fighting disease—it’s about protecting your quality of life.
✨ “God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
Let’s Talk 💬
Have you ever had a doctor miss something important in your care? How did you find the courage to speak up for yourself? What advice would you give to someone afraid to question their doctor?
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Your story might be the encouragement someone else needs today.
