I am so worried about my friend. She's on chemo, but her T8's fractured. She's having surgery on Tues and the disk's being removed and a 'scrape' being done to the vertebrae and then a plates being put in. I told her it's being done before, and I've heard about it in our support group. Thing is, I keep thinking I am next and it's so on the cards with the state of my spine, and does this mean the beginning of the end ?

She's in so much pain, and I tried to explain that its mechanics, and once the cancers surgically removed, she need not worry about it in that area. I know I am sounding simplistic, but I am trying to be positive all round.

My surgery on to remove the skull mets has knocked me for a six. I am due for a CT on my C2, and I can't face it. I need to have a serious talking to to myself.

(Just venting).

love River

hi river,

i am so sorry of your friend.

I dont have much to add to help, but what I DO know is as that I have had 3 back surgeries, one on my L 4/5 and 2 on my neck, all that had herniated..

what I want to mention is that the low back was the first.

The 2 others in the neck, as i found out the hard way was that the first one as i had an excellent dr back then, on both the neck,now he is retired..but he was great...

want to explain, that if ANY bone needs to be made to insert into the will be empty disc space, please try NOT to have them have to use the pelvic bone, as when they did that, sure my neck healed great and i was almost healed more quickly on that as that was my 2nd..the first when they used MY bones, as they said it would ahear more quickldy, not too sure about that, as the 2nd surg I made them use a cadaveras bones to carve into a disc, which in long run, was like a sinch....as even today 18 years later I stilll have problmes with the right hip and can feel a huge hole where they chunked out the bone...it is possible to use a cadaveras bone, and the healing and the longivity of the hip after the first could of been elimated..

Just FYI, as Id hate anyone that went alongwith their own bones.

I'll be thinking of you.

Ter

River,

I am so sorry to hear about your friend. I know that pain all too well! I have had several compression fractures in my spine--at least 3 were identified in the months immediately following my dx with bc. I did have one surgery (vertebroplasty) to my L4 when the pain from the fracture landed me in the emergency room. Last month, it was my T1 causing the trouble. At first, there was discussion about doing surgery but I ended up doing 10 rads sessions and taking lots of bedrest. The pain is virtually nonexistent in that area now.

Obviously, walking around with active fractures can be scary--and probably more dangerous than the doctors led me to believe! After my L4 was repaired, the other fractures were left alone. My monthly ZOMETA infusions have kept any problems from those particular fractures but scans still refer to them as fractures. The T1 fracture just recently seems to be a mystery and probably related to progression of my bone mets as they become resistant to hormone suppression therapy.

I certainly wouldn't call a fracture and surgery the beginning of the end! My first (identified) fracture was 25 months ago and I'm not planning on going anywhere soon! The biggest danger with bone mets located in the spine is when the tumors begin encroaching on the space where the spinal cord sits. The tumor can compress the spine and create all sorts of problems. For what it's worth, my doctors have told me that bedrest is often sufficient when there is no danger of cord compression. Radiation can be (and has been) very effective for pain relief. Surgery is sometimes necessary as in your friend's case. It does seem that the higher up on the spine, the more danger that the tumor(s) can create serious problems. The biophosphonates like ZOMETA can help.

I believe this particular surgery is the one that LuannH has been talking about with her doctors; hers is not because of mets though. (I could be mistaken on that--my brother just had back surgery too and I might have them confused!) The recovery from the surgery is tough, but good pain meds and a competent medical staff help.

I hope you are feeling better soon! And SCANXIETY--we all understand that. You and your friend will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers. This is a rough rides with lots of twists, turns, and surprises.

((((HUGS))))
Diane

Hey River,

I'm sorry to hear of your friend...the surgery should eliminate most, if not all of her pain.

No, it does not mean that you will have fractures too! You've been through alot River....keep your chin up and find your big girl panties (I'll even loan you a pair) :-)

I'm sending hugs and good vibs your way. Can you feel them?

XX

Joy

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with me.

Ter and Diane, interesting info, especially about the cadaver bone Ter. I think the Neurosurgeon will be using a 'plate'. My friend is in denial and is angry as she has some social engagements she wants to go to. Cancer doesn't wait I've told her.

Diane, I've had rads but not on C2. My Onco's not keen. I'll have to hope the chemo works for that. Are you on Ai's ?

Joy, I am a big girl, so I'll have to slip on my big girl panties. I've kept my operation quiet, slipped under the radar screen. One gets a bit tired of being the centre of drama. (I hate it).

XX River

What is all this surgery talk about? I have bc mets on my skull and 4 places on my spine? I never thought surgery was going to be necessary. I am having back pain on the lower right side near my waist.Does that mean that things are starting to get worse? I have had 5 treatments of Faslodex and remain on Zometa once a month. Motrin stops the pain quite a bit. Tiger balm just helps for a short while. I am really scared. Thanks, Greta

Response to Lu
AnnH

I didn't realize that my ER status could change.  I was on Letrozole until they found the mets to the bone and liver and then they stopped the Letrozole.

No biopsy has been done.  I've had radiaiton to my sternum and spine on the 18th of April.  Initially the pain flared up and then went away--for about two weeks.  Now, yesterday and today, I am in pain again.  I'm wondering if vigorous exercise could activate the pain or....I don't know what to think.  I just feel quite sick....Nauseous and full on pain in my back....maybe it's also something else.

Having cancer seems to take over everything.   JM86

Oh how right you are that having cancer takes over everything. It is a huge cloud over our heads all the time. I am becoming very resentful. I was exercising quite a bit with mets to my skull, hip, rib and spine. I stopped and the pain came, so I believe that it is probably important to keep the bones as strong as we can. However, of course, you need to discuss it with your Onc. I am going to take a Yoga class today and see what happens. As you see from my other post, I am very frightened. Good luck to you. Hopefully, you slept the wrong way and all will be well. We deserve a little peace once in a while. Greta

Greta, Please don't be worried. I had a choice of radiation or surgery and my Onco preferred surgery for my skull mets which I've had for 4 years. They were getting bigger and pressing down on my Dura and she didn't want it to become a problem. Please remember, there are so many of us in this forum with bone mets. some have had them for many many years. Many with skull mets as well.

Please don't worry,

take care,

River

Thank you so much. It really did help to have a valid explanation. The Onc does not think the pain in my back is due to the mets in my spine. I remembered that I had a pedicure and allowed the chair massage my back. I did not think it was a good idea at the time, but I did it anyway. Maybe I bruised myself. He said to take Motrin and take it slow and see what happens in a few days. Thanks again, This site is the best. Greta

A follow up of my friend with the collapsed T8. I went to see her today in ISU. She's had her surgery and she's doing amazingly well. She's in a lot of pain and us using a pethidine pump. Her PET results came in yesterday, the day of her surgery and it showed a marked improvement of her soft tissue mets on Avastin. I was SO thrilled for her. She 's on her way to a good recovery now. She's HER2- pos.

I thought it's important to share great news.
X River

A follow up of my friend with the collapsed T8. I went to see her today in ISU. She's had her surgery and she's doing amazingly well. She's in a lot of pain and us using a pethidine pump. Her PET results came in yesterday, the day of her surgery and it showed a marked improvement of her soft tissue mets on Avastin. I was SO thrilled for her. She 's on her way to a good recovery now. She's HER2- pos.

I thought it's important to share great news.
X River

Thanks, River, for the great update - you're right, it's SO important to hear the good news!

I Had that exact surgery 10/07!! I am so happy to hear your friend is doing better. Unfortunately, I did have major complications because my spinal cord was accidently "nicked" and then they incidently found skin cancer while doing that surgery, which later necessitated another major surgery. I am still recovering but doing better and better every day! It has been over 6 months. I had my T-8 disc removed and metal supports fused to the spine due to a herniated disc that had calcified and was pinching my spinal cord.All of this was very scary and hi-risk surgery-but I am able to walk and care for myself ( which I would have lost the ability to do without the surgery) The presurgery pain was so bad that I had just assumed it was mets, but an MRI proved that not tobe the case. I am still NED, though somewhat  "battle scared and battered"  I was dx 9/04 aggressive IDC with 30 positive nodes.Had mast,chemo,rads,herceptin and  BC Vaccine x2( in trial).

Your friend is lucky to have your support. This surgery is very BIG deal.Please encourage her to not be discouraged. I will have your FRIEND to my prayers. Billie