~* The Waiting Room *~
Comments
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Thank you, mmm5. I truly appreciate that. And blessings and prayers to all of the rest of us who are waiting!
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Home from the CT Scan - now the fun part begins - WAITING!!!
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Oh, Kim, boy can I comisserate!!!!!! Had a CT scan last Friday - seeing my med onco to get results today - hang in there, enjoy a figurative (or literal) cocktail, sit back and know we are all in here together and supporting you!
Maria
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ok - it's my turn to wait. I had a TVUS this morning to monitor a "cyst" on my ovary. They don't know if it is 2 simple cysts or a septated cyst. Also have fibroid and/or polyp that is being monitored. I definately hate the wait for the results. Someone pass a glass!
Trish
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Hi,
Well this is reult of MRI....
...high T@ marrow signal at superior lip of the acetabulum..Edema in the femoral head with subchondral cystic changes. There is a slight edema in the femoral neck and intertrochaneric region as well.
No evidence for avascular necrosis. No metastatic lesions are identified. There is a small increase in amount of fluid in the left hip joint. Soft tissues surronding the hips are normal. No evidence of bursitis or muscle tears. These findings are probably degenerative in origin. Clinical correlation is recommended. No suggestion of fractures. Posttramautic changes cannot be excluded. Considering the history of breast carcinoma underlying tumor cannot be entirely excluded. Further evaluation is helpful.
I went to the orthopedic surgeon with this today and he said he doesn't know what is wrong. He says I don't have enough arthritis for me to be in the pain I am in. He feels it could be either degenerative or metastatic in nature. He also says the chemo and radiation could have damaged these areas.
He won't due the injection now until he has a clear diagnosis. He is sending me for a CT scan. Waiting for approval from my ins co. He can give me a pain reliever but I dont want them...they all make me nauseas and sick.
In the meantime, my onc called after receiving the report and says all is ok and to follow up with ortho surgeon. I told his nurse I did do that today and was dumbfounded when I told her what he said. She was gonna talk to the onc and get back to me. The ortho Dr told me to take 4 motrin 4 x a day for pain .
So what do you all think cause I am friggin confused.
hugs and prayers
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Well, I have some good news - my CT scan was totally clean - the spots on the pancreas and lung disappeared! And the left ovary has shrunk to its normal size. My med onc was totally flummoxed but of course very pleased! However, I need to get a biopsy of my left breast (the non-BC one) next Thursday - what they saw were beaucoup calcifications and want to be sure there is nothing else amiss (deep breath) - so I course I will be here again next week, waiting waiting waiting . . .
Trish, I know how you feel! I had a similar test earlier this year and happily, the results were ok, as I am sure yours will be. When did they tell you your report will be ready? Keep us posted!
Candie - my goodness - what's the story with your onc? My gut reaction after I read your post was "get a second opinion" if you are able to . . . and I hope your insurance will approve the CT scan, as MRIs are known for false positives and showing stuff that usually turns out to be nothing - CT scans are usually more conclusive, as I understand it. In the interim, I hope someone on this thread will be able to give you some more insight into your report - perhaps someone with a much better knowledge of medical terminolgy than I have . . .
Continued prayers and blessings and a tray of martinis served by a gorgeous cabana boy to everyone who is waiting . . . save me a seat - I'll be back next week!
Maria
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Maria,
This will be my 3rd TVUS this year. I had a yearly one in May, then one in June (with saline - ask me about that someday!) and then the one today. I've always had problems with my periods, so I've had yearly TVUS and since taking tamoxifen my endometrium has gone from 10mm to 41mm (growing fibroids/polyps). But it is the cyst(s) that concern me. The term septated is somewhat scary to me. I'll keep you informed and send that cabana boy my way (when dh is not watching, of course!)
HUGS to all,
Trish
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Maria, I am loving the cabana boy!!
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Great News Britt! Glad your scan is clean! Hope all is well with you next set of tests regarding your breast. Fingers crossed!
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oooooh, Britt a cabana boy. hm.......now that is something to sift my toe in the sand and think about while I wait.
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Hello again everyone,
Thanks for your welcoming messages.
My God, so many of us in such suspense! Just received the results yesterday from my CT scan from Monday...the first after 3 months of chemo and the original metastatic diagnosis of bc to liver. I have learned to listen very closely to my doctor because she speaks in very specific language. She kept telling me, before the scans, that she was not expecting bad news.
So I did not get bad news. I did not get great news, but rather "no bad news." The CT scan showed that there was no further evidence of cancer spreading to any other organ or body part which is the good news. However, I still have a "burden of cancer" in the liver. She did not have the final radiology report because apparently they measure each tumor, each lesion from the firsts scan to the next one to determine how much tumor shrinkage, if any. She said the result will be either "stable" meaning no change in tumor size or "regression" meaning there is tumor shrinkage. She's thinking there will be some shrinkage in the tumors. All liver enzymes, bilirubin, and tumor markers are way down and normal. She is calling this a "partial response" to the treatment so far.
Still on chemo and will be for awhile. I must admit to being disappointed that I did not have a "total response" to the treatments, meaning no evidence of cancer, but my doc told me it can take 6 months or more before that happens.
This disease is cruel in its unpredictability.
To all of you still waiting.....and waiting....and waiting....my thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Be strong.
Linda C
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ok I am waiting with all of you. not only for myself but for you all too. This cabana boy is oh so cute!!
Maria, I love my onc. I was a lil upset when he felt differently about the MRI. But my DD says in his defense, he has done everything so far, good for me. Also, his job is chemo, other dr's find the cancer. Anyway, we all wait together for different results....holding hands with all of you and hugging and prayeing.
Candie
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Candie - It's all so difficult to wait and wonder and never know when you'll KNOW! And especially when you hurt at the same time! I didn't read back to get the details of your pain, but thought I'd try to share a few thoughts about the MRI report.
"No metastatic lesions are identified. There is a small increase in amount of fluid in the left hip joint. Soft tissues surronding the hips are normal. No evidence of bursitis or muscle tears. These findings are probably degenerative in origin." Try to focus on the POSITIVE aspects here - no met lesions, no muscle tears - this is great! Findings are probably degenerative in nature - one of the possibilities your ortho mentioned. This means the joint has gotton "older" and has been used! When the bone is not smooth and young and new, this rough surface rubs against the other rough surface in the joint and can cause some fluid build-up. Bone has alot of nerve endings, so joints that have rough surfaces hurt - alot! The Motrin can help if you can take it.
"Considering the history of breast carcinoma underlying tumor cannot be entirely excluded. Further evaluation is helpful." I really feel that this is a common radiologist statement. True, NO ONE can entirely exclude one little tumor cell somewhere. But remember, "No metastatic lesions are identified." MRI's are very sensitive and it's good that no lesions are visible.
So, deep breath, take one step at a time to figure this out, and know we're waiting here with you!
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2Hands4Me.,
Thank you for your encouraging words. I am trying real hard to keep remembering the positve parts of the MRI. and I am taking the motrin, Dr said 4 motrin 4 x a day. Will see how that does.and how quickly they will do a hip replacement.
Thanks again for waiting with me as I wait with you and others.
hugs and prayers
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Got some news after 10 days of waiting.. Doctor says so far so good. After AND surgery no new lymph node involment seen plus so far margins look clean this time. Doctor is waiting for a few more stains. I guess I am happy with the " so far" news but would like the final answer to know if more surgery is needed or if chemo will happen this month!!!!
I will spend the weekend with a smile of good news rather than dread possibility of bad news
Glad some of you got your news ---wish it could all be good news
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yeeehaaa jeanl151----Now it is time for a toast!!! Or a good ol hug.
i will have my mammo on the 12th and probably a blood test to see if my wbcs have gone up. I hope so.....Anybody else have issues with low wbc counts 5 months after chemo and two months after rads???
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Oh, and btw, can't the cabana boy help us celebrate and at least help us feel better as we wait?
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jean, so happy for the so far so good...and it seems it is leaning to the good..so go ahead and smile. we look forward to more good news for you!
Jrg, good luck with your mammo on the 12th. I never had low wbc, but I am sure someone will come along who has. Have a great day !
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To my breast friends,I got unwelcome news from the oncologist today. Skull and spine mets causing my pain, fevers may be from tumor growth. Another MRI, monthly Zometa and perhaps radiation to the spine in my immediate future. I should start feeling better as the tumors are treated. Still waiting on chemo schedule for the PARP inhibitor branch of the trial.Pray for God to grant me grace to get through the pain until the chemo and Zometa start to work.Bette0
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Bette, I dropped by with a plate of brownies (all calories removed of course) to find your unwelcome news. So here I am with the plate in hand, saying a prayer for you. Grace in abundance, flowing over, and the knowledge that you are in our thoughts.
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Hang in there Bette, God will most cetainly give you the grace. I haven't posted in years but just checked in. I am in the waiting room myself - going for my check up this month and the scanxiety has kicked in. A prayer is being said for you in New York. . . . . . .
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Awwwwww, Bette. I hope the Zometa and radiation will kick in soon and give you some relief.
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I too just came by with some cider and pumpkin cake and saw your post Bette, I will pray for your pain to rapidly disipate while you wait. Hugs xxxxxx
Ozzi I hope all your test's are boringly B9.
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Bette, I am here waiting with you too. I will be praying for you to tolerate the pain. And praying that this all goes smoothly for you.
Ozzi, praying for god results for you.
I am waiting for results of CT scan of yesterday. I can't take the anticipation. I am crawling out of my skin with fear. I wait here with all of you where I feel safe. Our prayers help one another as do our friendships.
Love you all!!
hugs and prayers
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Hey everyone!
Just heard back from my onc about my CT scan from last week! CLEAR!! YAHOO!!!!
Thanks to all who kept their fingers crossed for me!!! Keeping my fingers crossed for all who are still waiting!!!
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Jess..........you asked earlier if anyone else had a low WBC after chemo and rads........... did not have chemo but did have rads and the blood work I had 3 months after rads did show a low WBC and they said this does happen. They said they would check it again in 6 months and would look further if it was still low............... it was not. Hope this info helped.
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Yahoo..Kim....happy days!!! I am doing the happ
y dance!!!!0 -
hmm---Thank you.
Yes Kim!!!!! happy cabana boy dance!!!!
Still waiting and hoping the best for all of us. Mammo on the 12th.
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The spine MRI was incredibly painful, both in the noise surrounding my headache, and in keeping still for 45 minutes with what turned out to be cancer at levels T9 and T12 and a small compression fracture at T9. The radiation oncologist said they can do rads for 10 treatments to reduce the pain on the spine, but that the procedure of radiating the skull would involve radiating a lot of soft tissue and scary SE's. The docs have to discuss the timing of the rads, before, during or after chemo, and then we will have to make a decision.Tomorrow at 6 AM we leave for VA to start Cycle 3 of the clinical trial. I will start Zometa then as well. Then on Tuesday we go back there to get the PARP inhibitor, BSI-201.Tom has been very sweet today and is teaching me the safe use of my new wheelchair. I could not have navigated the hospital today without it.Bette0
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Bette, I wish you the best with the clinical trial!!
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