Bone Mets Thread
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Gracie, I also had that done, they took the sample from my sacrum. Like the others said, it wasn't that bad. I got an IV, they gave me oxygen and as soon as I went into the scanner they shot in the sedative. I remember being scared to death then very surprised when it was over. Just small discomfort, no pain. They did make me stay in the short procedure unit for 6 hours after it was over to monitor me for bleeding, my hospitals protocol. I had no bleeding or after effects.
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Gosh I hope that's what happens with mine, Lynnwood
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I've had a bone biopsy from the lumbar area (at KU med). No problem. They have me that light "twilight" anesthesia, so you wake up feeling fine. The most discomfort was from lying on my stomach with my neck turned. They needed a massage type table! Also had a bone biopsy from my pelvic bone. Same anesthesia. No problem. MUCH less painful than any of the breast biopsies I've had.
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I too had a CT guided bone biopsy, not in my spine but in my sternum. No problem, because it is CT guided there shouldn't be any problem coming close to your spinal cord, they will put you in & out of the scanner a number of times to make sure they know exactly where to take the biopsy from. It was not at all painful for me, like someone else said, a bit of pressure. I was given only local anesthesia, like being at the dentist. DH & I left on a vacation immediately afterwards, with my little tiny round bandaid on the incision. But I was pretty stressed about it before hand, I didn't think to ask here about it. cheers, dee
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Thanks ladies for the reassurances😊 Hoping it goes well and they get what they need the first time. Also that I don't have to stay six hours afterward! Heavens!!!!
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Kaption you aren't very far from me. I'm down south of Wichita
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Gracie, do you go to KU Med at Wichita?
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No I go to the Cancer Center in Wichita at St. Francis
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Sorry that should have been Cancer Center of Kansas at St Francis
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I hope you have a medical team you love!
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Gracie, I had CT guided bone biopsy on tumor in T-10. The tumor was pushing on my spinal cord and I was fine. They only used local anesthetic, and the CT is for exact needle placement . They may give you IV Versed, which is conscious sedation as used in most colonoscopies. I'm allergic to it so can't have it. The procedure is fast ( 20 min or so) and I just felt pressure. Band aid and I was out of there after 2 hours of lying flat. I'm sure the radiologist who does it will be experienced. Since I was awake, they played music for me!
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Kaption I do have really good oncologist.
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Lindalou, thanks for that I guess I need to call the nurse at my onc office and ask her how long I will have to be there afterward...just never thought about that until I started reading.
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I guess I don't really have a team just my onc. But I do have a gastro in Wichita and my internist is in Winfield. My rheumtologist left Wichta and I haven't found another one yet. I also have several other health problems. My cardiologist also has retired so I need to find another one just haven't gotten there yet.
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Gracie, I do really like my MO and RO both. When I was first dx with bc in 2005, my cancer center was part of what was called Kansas City Cancer Center (several offices in the metro). When KU Med was seeking NCI accreditation several years ago, the acquired KCCC and it became part of KU Medical Center Cancer Center. My MO is Dr. Elizabeth Ng and met RO is Dr. James Coster. Love them both.
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My brother goes to OU medical for his cancer and they are just awesome. My insurance won't cover out of state though so going anywhere else wouldn't work and I live on a very limited income so very much travel is out of my sphere of affordability. So I'm hoping for the best. My onc has been treating me since my first cancer in 2007.
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Yes, Gracie- hope your care is wonderful!!
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Thanks Kaption
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hello everybody, just giving an update.
My wife had a biopsy of her L5 which came back as cancer. The final results are not back yet but the initial results show that it is the breast cancer that spread to the bone and that it is triple negative just like her initial cancer diagnosis in October of 2015.
Looks like the next step on her treatment plan is to do radiation to her lower spine and pelvis area to alleviate the pain. Her MO and the oncologist we spoke to a Beth Israel recommended an oncologist at Dana Farber who is doing a clinical trial, so we will be meeting with her the week of the 15th.
In other news it is my wife's birthday today. After meeting with the mo on Friday we went away for the weekend.
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You women give me such encouragement. Lynne, thank you for your posts and your caring. Amy, I am so very sorry your daughter lost her baby and that dream, but also know you were of tremendous comfort to her. I will be thinking of your both, praying for peace.
It has been three weeks now that I got my Stage IV diagnosis and Ibrance has been ordered but it still has not shown up. The pharmacy says that they are waiting on Medicare, although my secondary insurance has approved it. I just want to get this show on the road. Have been on Femara now for three weeks.
My right hip is aching. That is the place that showed up one of nine places on the PET scan, ribs, spine and pelvis but not in soft tissue. Since the hip hurts, should I stay off it (yes I limp a bit with it) or should I forge on and keep walking even though it hurts? I know I should keep up exercise, but might walking exacerbate the bone into breaking? I just don't need a broken hip right now. Please chime in as toan answer to this question of weight bearing on a hip that cancer has been chewing on.
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Hi Nancy,
Thank you for your kind words. Regarding hip pain and cancer in your bones, I lived and hobbled around with a pathologic fx of my pelvis for about 8 weeks before knowing the reason. I didn't do anything different nor use a cane but in hindsight a cane would have been helpful.
I'm now hobbling around due to left hip arthritis and have been told to get a hip replacement. I just picked up a rather stylish cane and don't mind relying on it, especially on stairs.
Your worries are justified however I don't think a fx is imminent. Just take it easy, and get in to an orthopedic doc if your oncologist doesn't have suggestions. Please keep us posted on how you're doing.
Amy
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Thank you Amy, I'll just keep walking and look for a "hip" cane ... stylish, that is...
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Ken, Thanks for sharing the results. I am glad you got away for the weekend-- Please share with us what trial they are considering and you and your family are in my prayers.
Hugs, Carol
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Kenny, I'm so sorry about your wife's confirming biopsy results, but relieved to see that you are going to DF to explore what they can offer in the way of a new trial, as well as getting away at such a stressful time! Please tell your wife Happy Birthday for me!
Nancy, I concur with what Amy said. I also had leg pain that worsened in the weeks right after I was dx'd. I assumed for many months it was just par for mbc, but long story short, it turned out to be pathological fractures in both my femur and pelvis. So, they can and do happen, as other women here can testify. I definitely wouldn't push yourself right now -- no strenuous hiking, for example, which you probably don't feel like anyway -- and I would ask your onc or an ortho doc to review your most recent scan for any previously unmentioned issue (such as a hairline fracture), as well as ask for an MRI (to help pin down the cause) if the pain continues, and especially if it worsens. Has your onc mentioned Xgeva to you? It, or one of the other bone building drugs, can do wonders for our bones right now. And what about pain meds? Do you have/need something until the Femara + Ibrance kick in and start the healing?
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Ditto to Deanna's comments above. Great advise, as always.
Well, I'm glad my MO said we are ignoring TMs until after the August 30 scan, because I just got last week's and it's another all time high. Hoping it's the response lag. Now, 3 weeks to not think about it!
I'll hold onto your scan results, Deanna!!
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Happy Monday, everyone.
Dee, I hope your blood test results were good today and that you are able to resume taking Ibrance tomorrow.
Kenny, I wish your wife's biopsy results had been better. As you are undoubtedly aware, DF is a great place for your wife to go for treatment. Let us know is she does enroll in a clinical trial. We will all be interested in the details. Wish your wife a happy birthday from all of us.
Nancy, I hope your pain is under control soon. You have received some valuable information from others here.
Kaption, I know that the three week wait for your scans will seem like an eternity, but it will give the treatment more time to do its work, so maybe the results will make the wait worth it. Apparently TMs can be tricky to interpret with so many things having a potential influence on them.
Lynne
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Amy- I was so sad to hear about your daughter's and your loss. My daughter miscarried last year at about this time and I was devastated. She's not married but I so wanted her to have a child (She's 38 years old) It is hard.
Babs
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I am officially off Arimidex and onto Faslodex and Ibrance. Surprise, surprise! I will have my first Faslodex injections later this week and will begin Ibrance as soon as it has been approved by insurance. I am sad to leave Arimidex behind because I had no problems with side effects. Unfortunately, I have had some recent progression, so I am on to something new.
I am now officially a liver mets-er as well as a bone mets-er. I thought I would be devastated by the news, but I am not. I had a long conversation with my MO today, and I left his office feeling much calmer and more comfortable with the situation than I was when I arrived. He did not rush us. He answered every question that my DH and I asked. He explained everything we needed to know. The liver mets are tiny. I still feel and look very strong andhealthy. My MO still thinks that I will probably be around for a long time. He was impressed with my knowledge of Faslodex and Ibrance, btw. Of course I learned everything right here on the boards. Thank you all.
I was planning to invite you all to my pity party, but that has been cancelled. I have regained a positive attitude and am moving forward. Instead of a pity party I am celebrating the fact that I am still here and have treatment options available to me. Please join me in celebrating life.
Love, hugs, and prayers to all of you.
Lynne
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Dang Lynne, a party even if it is pity is a part-tay nonetheless! But we can have a celebration to life instead and to the quality of our lives. That means the most!
Hugs and love back to you -
Amy
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(((Lynne))) It sounds like you have an amazing MO! I can't help but be upset for you about the progression, but you said a few days ago you had a feeling it might not all be good news and were prepared for it. Hopefully Faslodex+Ibrance will nip those nasty little liver invaders in the bud! Much love going out to you, and I truly believe the change in meds will be exactly what you need! Deanna
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