If you are not Stage IV but have questions, you may post here
Comments
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Misswim I'm so sorry to hear that news and I can understand your fear but let me reassure you that with treatment mets to the lung can and do disappear or stay well controlled for quite some time.......even years. The point to look at right now is, that the met has yet to be confirmed and it is still possible to be something else.
Take on board what your onc has said and wait with her until all scans and tests are done.
Hoping for you that it is still something else.
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
Misswim,
Hope the PET proves that your nodule is a nothing. Here is some advice I wish I'd taken on board earlier: you can't read anything into your doctor's tone of voice - especially on the phone. There are too many variables (she's just told a patient something bad and she's blue; another doctor cheesed her off, etc.) And, you can't "read" your techs in a testing situation either.
I usually wait to hyper-ventilate till I'm right in front of the doc. They know me, and have the smelling salts handy, as I slump over at the slightest provocation.
Save yourself the fear. Let us know how the PET went.
Jennifer0 -
i am getting no surveillance from my docs. just physical exam every three months.
what do youll think of no scans, tumor markers etc for stage three s?
i know its whats recommended.
i think it would be better to treat mets if you catch it early.
found doc who will scan and do tumor markers. just irritates me my local docs arelike this0 -
Fran, doctors seem to be between the devil and the deep blue sea on this question. We as the patients want the scans because we feel we need to see what's going on and the docs who have to balance exposing us to extra radiation which in itself can be a cumulatively dangerous and making sure we are monitored. They usually opt for the scan if symptoms show up. As for the bloods, markers are a notoriously unstable way to monitor BC. For some they are a good indicator but for most they show nothing so most docs choose not to do them.
If you are not happy with how you are being monitored then by all means go to the other doc.........remembering we are always our own best advocate.
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
hi there: Was able to get in for the PET Tuesday on a cancellation. Good news is that the module, whatever it is, had a very low SUV. We will monitor it but the report says "unlikely a metastatic lesion". Breathing a sigh of relief. Thank you ladies so so much.0 -
Dear Misswim!! That is wonderful news!!! Have fun today!!!0 -
misswim - That is awesome news! So very happy for you.0 -
I have been sitting here worrying about where I should post. Then I decided to quit worrying about where and just post. I went to a f/u with rad onc today. They asked if I was having any pain as they always do. I mentioned the tender lump I have on the outside of my lower leg. This is the same 2-3cm lump I mentioned to the beat surgeon and med onc over the past couple months. The rad onc wanted an US and I had that today as well. He said it her thought it could be something venous. The US determined it isn't anything venous. They are calling it a nodule and they dont know what it is. While waiting and watching its an option, they are recommending an excisional biopsy. The rad onc says it would be unusual for this to be cancer but " given my history" he thinks this would be a good idea. I have less than two weeks of FLMA left so I am hoping I don't need much time off if I do it. I have been referred to a surgeon.0 -
oh Misswim that is wonderful news! I'm so glad for you and now you can relax.
Sharon, so sorry that you are in the worrying position right now but having that lump excised is a good thing to do as it will be sent to pathology to find out exactly what it is. As you doc says, it would be most unusual that it be a met but it's much better to be sure than sorry. I'm sure you will have healed enough in the next two weeks that is won't interfere with your FLMA.
Love n hugs to you both. Chrissy0 -
My US report says " concerning for metastasis".0 -
Sharon, right now they actually don't know what it is and the 'concerning for metastasis' on your report is exactly why you were sent in the first place and why your doc is recommending you have it excised so it can be sent to pathology. I know you are very worried right now as it is truly a worrying time, please be kind to yourself and try not to worry too much until you know exactly with what you are dealing.
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
Sharon - chrissy is right. Try not to borrow trouble. I know that is easier said than done, but it is the best thing you can do. Hope all comes back clean as a whistle.0 -
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Thanks Chrissy and Barsco. I get what you are saying and it makes sense.I have an appointment with a surgeon on the 18th. I wish they felt comfortable doing something less invasive. I guess it would be nice to to have completely out and examined.0 -
Sharon the 18th is only a couple of days away so that's good. I know how you feel as we all like things being less invasive but in this case it really is the only way and as you say, better that it be gone and examined.
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
Appointment with surgeon moved up and saw him today. Excisional biopsy will be tomorrow at noon in the OR.
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Dear Sharon!! Hoping the biopsy goes well!! Sending you hugs, Kathy0 -
Sharon, I'm pleased to hear that your biopsy has been moved up as I know you will feel a whole lot better when you know what that thing is. Deep breath, almost there. Hope it all goes well for you.
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
Like. A lot. Thank you for posting.0 -
Biopsy done. Definite abnormal and appears to be cancer. Surgeon and pathologist cant tell what kind under the microscope. Need to do special staining. It is quite unusual to have bc spread to soft tissue of lower leg. Could be a different cancer. How much does it suck that a different cancer would be good news? May know more Monday.
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Oh dutchiris. Sorry you didn't get better news. Keep us posted on how things go on Monday.0 -
If this indeed mets in my lower leg, would they do scans of any sort to look other places?
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Oh dang Iris! If it turns out to be mets they will do a full workup of scans to make sure it is nowhere else. As with anything, you need to know with what you are dealing before it can be dealt with correctly. It is so very rare for soft tissue mets on the lower leg that as awful as it sounds, I do hope it is something else.
Hang in there, we are here waiting for news.
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
If your cancer was highly ER and HR positive, you are on hormone therapy and have hot flashes, are you likely to have a recurrence while experiencing hot flashes?
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Racy are you asking a question or answering one? Sorry, I didn't quite understand but if you are asking, the most common time for recurrence is between three and five years no matter what your cancer is or treatment being undertaken. That is why we are usually monitored closely for the first five years.
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
Chrissy, my three year cancerversary is this Sunday! I had mild back pain today which prompted my question. Does this make sense?
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Wondering if anyone had recurrence while experiencing hot flashes?
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Racy it makes perfect sense. Back pain can be caused by so many things even something simple like turning the wrong way. Just monitor it and if it gets worse or stays around for more than a couple of weeks please go get it checked out but I wouldn't worry too hard right now.
The hot flushes are just your body trying to turn on the estrogen so it is possible to have a recurrence while experiencing them.
I know we are always looking for symptoms of recurrence and our mind takes us there each and every time we feel an unusual pain but 99.999999% of the time it is just aging and has nothing to do with BC. Hope your worry passes soon as well as that strange back pain.
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
Thanks Chrissy, I think I may have over-worked at the gym!
Wow, I didn't know what you explained about hot flashes. I thought they indicated that the hormone therapy was working.
Thanks for your prompt replies!
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Racy, they do but the way I stated it is the simplest way of understanding them. Because your treatment is working your body is depleted of Estrogen but that doesn't stop your body from trying to turn it on........ the result is a hot flush/flash.
Love n hugs. Chrissy0
