If you are not Stage IV but have questions, you may post here
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Sandilee,
I just went to my family doctor on Monday & was diagnosed with Costochondritis (inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone). I have to admit, I was scared when I went to doctor and was somewhat relieved but I still have this nagging feeling that theres more going on. I was given a steroid shot and a course of oral predinisone, also labs were drawn to check CBC & calcium levels. Pain has lessened, but still feel achy tenderness. This is on my non-mastectomy side. Pain was severe. I kept a pillow against my side, strangely enough, pressure helped somehow. Like you, I have (had) been exercising hard. My next visit with Onc is June 26th and am wondering if I should call now or just wait til then? Labs should be back by Friday, June 7th. Thank you so much for lending an ear to us who need someone so desperately! My husband thinks I'm worrying too much, but if I hadn't been so persistent pre-diagnosis, well it's just untelling how long it would have been til I found out.
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hello mmizerak,
what did your doctors say about your rib pain? I hear you on the not wanting to call about every new ache or twinge, I'm the same way even after everything I've been through. My pain was front side of rib all the way around to my back....very fatigued, which I hadn't been experiencing since starting my exercise regimen.
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Psalm 121...I called yesterday and they scheduled me to have x-rays and an exam tomorrow. I haven't seen her yet but will post what happens tomorrow when I am done. Yours sounds almost exactly like mine! On my right side, about 4 inches below my armpit, it is very tender to the touch from the edge of the breast around to my back. It would undoubtedly be one of th uppermost ribs if that is where the pain is originating from. I can feel it if I so much as let my arms down completely at my side. I am also having some pain in my hip and knees (on the right side moren than the left) so they're going to x-ray the hip area too. Based on those results, they will decide if we do a PET scan and/or a bone scan. I am not pleased as I am trying to get prepared for two Races for the Cure as well as the Dalas 3-Day in November and am annoyed that this is holding me up. Good times!
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i have a very good friend who just had a double masectomy, she went thru chemo had the surgury, had reconstruction during this time they found another lump but didnt know what it was and couldnt investigate because of its location. that was about a month or so ago. she was then supposed to start radaition. over the weekend she was admitted to hospital w/ fever, extreme hot and cold because of the fever that has now lasted 6 days. up until now she was doing great, she is a very strong willled person, you would of thought she just had her tonsils removed, no big deal. well she just got her results back from a scan and the cancer has moved to her liver. she has been a rock and down playing everything, my question is how serious is this and what can i do for her.
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Thank you to all,
I just got back from having my scans. I wont know the results until Wed, another week. I will just have to pray on it until then. I will surely have may Onc run a CA-125. I will keep you posted. Have a blessed day.
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Hi Bufferholly and welcome. I'm really sorry to hear about your friend. This journey is not an easy one and she will need you just to be there for her.
As the. Feast cancer has metastasized (travelled) to her liver she will now be classified as stage IV which is terminal. Don't panic at those words, they just mean that eventually if she doesn't die of something else first, it will be the cancer that will take her life.
There are many treatments available and depending on her tumor status, that is ER/PR+ or -, Her2+ or - her docs will with her input decide what will be the best one for her.
The thing with being stage IV is she will always be on some form of treatment as there is no cure, just control. She will be able to lead a fairly normal life but it is going to take some time for her to get her head around all of it. You might like to suggest she come here if she would like to talk to others who are in the same place as she now finds herself.
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
Hello Chrissy...
could you please read my previous post? Am anxiously awaiting your thoughts on my situation. Had replied to Sandilee, with no response yet. Thanks for all your time & consideration0 -
Hi Psalm so sorry that you are having this problem. You said your next appointment with your onc is 26th June and that is only a couple of weeks away and it is not that long to wait.
Rib pain is a common thing after mastectomy as the surgery changes how everything fits together and works. Inflammation of the cartilage is also quite a common thing because of these changes. Sometimes while trying to resume a normal life we push a little harder than is good for us and so can trigger these things. Having said that, it is always prudent to get these things checked out properly. Did your PCP do any tests or scans? If not, and for your peace of mind, I would bring up the issue with your onc.
I hope it all turns out well for you.
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
Hi Chrissy...my PCP did not order scans & haven't learned results of labs yet. So, my rib pain is on non~mastectomy side, what's up with that? & it's getting worse again....still on oral pack of prednisone. I am exhauusted, took a nap yesterday & slept maybe 5 hours last night before pain woke me up. It feels like a deep bruise & heavy, which sounds weird even as I type it but there it is.
Thanks Chrissy, you are so sweet....love & hugs to you0 -
Psalm I realize that your pain is not on your mastectomy side but your balance of muscle has been interfered with.
When do you get the results of the bloods that were taken?
Once you have those results you will either have your current diagnosis confirmed or you will need further investigation. In the meantime take your pain meds so you are as comfortable as possible.
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
aahh, Chrissy, I understand what you're saying now. I'm always learning new things and appreciate your input. My labs should be ready for me to pick up tomorrow. I plan on taking them with me to Onc appt on June 26th, unless they are abnormal and will then request PCP to fax reports. As far as pain meds, all I have is OTC and it's just not helping. Thanks again....you and the ladies who help us on this thread are invaluable!
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Psalm if the only pain meds you have are OTC then please ask your PCP for something stronger. You need to be as comfortable as possible.
Love m hugs. Chrissy0 -
Psalm, I think that it is good to not have only OTC pain medications so that you do not over do the exercise again. The ca blood level will also help tell if it is bone mets. The PCP got things started for your oncologist.
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Today's Washington Post reviewed Pink Ribbons, Inc. I think the last two paragraphs of the review are worth sharing:But the most persuasive interviewees by far are a group of stage IV breast cancer patients who bear articulate, dignified witness to why those mylar balloons, silly hats and you-go-girl slogans are so insulting to the fatal reality they face every day.Everyone needs to see "Pink Ribbons, Inc.," if only to hear these women's voices, see their faces and remember them the next time we're asked to Think Pink.Here's a link to the full review:www.washingtonpost.com/gog/mov... I heartily recommend this film.0
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I will definitely go see if if it ever comes to Seattle. It appears to be playing only on the East Coast???? (I never did like that Pink Ribbon stuff....)
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Gardengumby,
It open in Seattle July 13 according to playdates page.
Here's a link to the playdates page:
http://firstrunfeatures.com/pinkribbons_playdates.html
They also have a mailing list that will have inforamtion about the movie, and DVD release information.
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Thanks!!! I looked around on the internet for dates, but obviously didn't look deeply enough.
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Chrissy & ma111:
thanks for the posts & concern for me, appreciate it much! Good news: Labs are normal! Pain is better, so maybe the steroids are finally helping. I'll be taking a copy of my labs to Onc for his review.
Hadn't heard of the "Pink Ribbon, Inc." movie. I do have some pink shirts/items that I picked out myself, but sometimes it's a little overwhelming to constantly get pink stuff as gifts! I think our friends identify their love and concern with those symbols and use it as a way of support for us. My personal favorite shirts are the "Life is Good" brand. I ran across these after diagnosis & before surgery, when I was looking for comfy post-surgery clothes. I considered finding those shirts as a gentle tap on the shoulder from God to remind me to always be happy, be thankful and remember Life IS Good!
A movie I recommend is "One for the Money" based on series of books by Janet Evanovich. I read them during chemo. They are hilarious, racy, sexy....whew! May have to re-read them
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When I had my first diagnosis (Stage II), I also had a friend with Stage IV lung cancer. What I did that bothered her was not allowing myself to be scared and upset about my own cancer. She finally told me, "I am your friend, too. Allow me to comfort you when you need it." I believe that all of us with Stage IV just want some normality in our lives and feel like we still contibute to the happiness and support of our family and friends.
And Debbie... that is a lovely note that anyone would be touched to receive. In actuality, take out the cancer parts and it would be a lovely note for even a healthy person to receive.
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Thanks again to all you amazing stage IV ladies, for taking time to answer our questions and concerns. You gave me some great advice earlier, so I thought I would pick your brains again...
My initial diagnosis was right breast DCIS; at lumpectomy, the BS found 2 tumors that did not show on the mammogram. At the mx, there was a third tumor; none of these showed on my mammo's. They ranged in size from .5 cm to 1.1 cm. Took 4 nodes and 2 were positive. When I asked my MO why no scans, she said the node activity was so small (.4 mm tumor and 30 cancer cells) that it is considered micrometasis. I start my chemo this Friday but I am sitll just kind of frustrated that there isn't any follow-up on the node discovery. In my mind, when you combine the tumors not showing on mammo's with the nodes, there should be some kind of scans.
Am I being paranoid or should I trust my very accomplished MO, whom I like very much?
Oh, also, let me add this; there is 'atypical hyperplasia with lobular features' in the left breast, discovered when I had my lumpectomy and reduction/reconstrution.
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Vicki, I am a 3er, not stage 4, but it seems to me that your situation would warrant a breast MRI with contrast. I would at the very least demand to get a good and thorough explanation for why the doctor does NOT want to do this.
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Hi to all the beautiful women on this forum, and again thank you for it!! I will get to the point, I have been stuggling with arm pain, from slight lymphedema.. .However, on that side , my left, I have been having pain in my shoulder close to my neck and also shoulder blade....i It comes and goes. My husband blames it on leaning on my left arm so much while on the lap top in bed, yeah, thats his way of coping with any other possible things it could be.......I guess I would be concerned about bone mets???? I did have a bone scan about a year ago, hip pain it was arthritis..... It seems like a strange area to me, although I know BC is sneaky and nothing is off limits....It feels like a pinched nerve, advil will help but it does come back... strecthing helps massage, it all seems temporary....I am scared and I just went through surgury on my uterus to see if I had the big C there.. I have already had an OOPH.... I think I am just asking if this sounds to you ladies like it could be mets or maybe my husband is right..... I see MO at the end of the month. Oh, its been about three weeks with the pain...... I just don't want a scan............. Sorry for the ramble.......
Thank you all, You are all so amazing, I pray everyday for us all...............
Steph
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Vicki - what kind of scan do you think you should be getting? I had CT scans of my chest and abdomen and a bone scan when I was initially dx'd to be sure I was still early stage, but I had 4 positive nodes and a large tumor. Have you had any of those scans? I'm not sure about scans for very early stage disease, but I would imagine that the risk of distant mets is very slim, especially if the positive nodes had very little cancer in them. You removed all the cancer in your rt breast and nodes, and chemo will take care of anything locally that was missed in either breast. Will you also be taking Herceptin? That will give you added insurance as well. I hope I've helped and not confused you further...I just wanted to give you a response before you think you were being ignored. Good luck with everything!
Cynthia
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Thanks, ma111 and all the others. My cough has subsided a bit, though it's hanging around a bit. I hear that's going around in general. It didn't interfere with my exchange, so I am now pretty much 'done' except perhaps for tatoos, etc. I appreciate having people here to check in with. All the best to those of you awaiting scan results.
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Hi Steph
I have lymphadema..started every so slightly in February and they it just got bigger and bigger. Did wrapping for about 4 weeks. I had been having pain in my arm/shoulder for a while...just assumed it was my LE. I did find 2 lumphs under my arm and that started the ball rolling. I have about 8 lymphnodes in my shoulder/pec area that are with cancer on top of a few in my axilla. So not to freak you out but I wouldnt hurt to call your MO and see what he thinks. Grant I had noduels but I had no idea that the lymphnodes were probably the cause of my pain
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I was wondering if anyone could post the symtoms they had before they found out they had mets. I had ILB 4years ago dbl mastactomy and reconstruction.I have a chocking cough persistent.and a lump on my sternum or breast bone I would appreciate any feedback of how you go diagnosed with mets.The doctor says my bone pain and leg pain is osteoarthritis.thanks
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No symptoms at all, I'm afraid. I had mets to pleura, liver and bones, but none showed any symptoms (it was found purely by a random remark that I made to my gastro-enterologist-that I had a tickle under my ribs.If your doc is confident that you have osteoarthiritis, then I would accept it as a very reasonable diagnosis.
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boobuddy - I also had lung mets, no symptoms. Mine were discovered on baseline pre-chemo scans. BTW they were completely resolved by the chemo!
Rachel - congrats on your exchange! Take care of yourself!
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Thank you alisontom, I am freaked out but, I asked the question.....My arm hurts though, I can't hope to think its from my arm, and lack of excerzise these days..... I will talk to my doc....May i ask what treatment you had for your lymphnodes???? I had many pos. lyphnods in my axillary......they removed 17 all together, have had trouble on and off since surgury 2 1/2 years ago...... dont you think the fact that it comes and goes is good or no.....
Thank you so much..
Steph
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ElaineD:
I'm curious as to the "tickle" under your ribs...would you care to tell me more? Did you have pain as well? What did this symptom indicate to your gastroenterologist? Did he refer you back to oncologist with this symptom? I've been having "twinges" in left rib area just below breast (non-mastectomy side). Thanks!
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