Bone Mets Thread
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Thanks Gracie. How are you doing today?
>Z<
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I’m doing ok. Just waiting to have my scans to see if the beast has moved
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Fingers grossed for nothing but a dead beast.
>Z<
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Prayers for a dead 'beast'!! Fingers and all body arts are crossed too
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Prayers for "dead as a door nail" beast! And peace from any scanxiety.
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Gracie, add me to the crowd of us hoping for a dead beast on your next scan. Until then, wishing you peace and comfort and hope (I know, easier said than done).
Z, sending you good vibes for the next step, and looking forward to seeing your name on the NED thread (I read that one often for the hope if gives all of us). This must be hell, not knowing, maybe never knowing, and yet here you are, encouraging and kind and helpful as always.
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Hi Daniel,
In relation to a bone biopsy, it would depend on the procedure. In my case open surgery was required, as the anomality was seen in the proximal part of the bone marrow, which meant doing the biopsy whilst under general anesthesia. I needed pain killers for 5 days p.o. and was prescribed ‘no strenuous physical activity’ for 8 weeks. I have been hobbling around, but now approx. 8 weeks later, I am walking fairly normally again 😊. So not ‘a walk in the park’ but doable.
I hope your oncologist can provide some sound answers concerning the mri, i.e. if it can dismiss a met/mets, then it sounds reasonable to go for that option (first) and hopefully determine that a biopsy is not necessary. I hope you get some answers soon and clarity.
Best wishes, Meja0 -
Daniel, My mets were diagnosed thru MRI with contrast, then the biopsy. For my biopsy, I was awake but in no discomfort at all, the whole procedure took 20 minutes, but the MRI came first.
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Girls I am having a blood transfusion Friday as my hemoglobin has dropped to 71 due to progression to bone marrow. After 18 months of being stable Letrozole has failed . I am now on exemestane combo to see if it can kick in and stop it in the bone marrow. If it doesn't it's chemo 😔Has anyone else done well with it progressing to bone marrow? Feeling very low atm
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Delvzy, sorry to hear about your low hemoglobin. I've looked to your comments often as you're the only one currently on the boards that I see with bone marrow involvement. I started Taxol April 3 and I'm doing well. Chugging along more like it. Platelets bumped from 42,000 to 51,000. Great! Then next week only up another 2,000 to 53,000. Disappointed to say the least. Hemoglobin up to 8.7 then down to 8.4 last week. It's exhausting. I was confused when I saw you starting your treatment as my onc said only chemo would get it out of my marrow. I will go back to AI with Ibrance when done with chemo. I hope you find the right combo and kick its butt.
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Meja and BigPeaches - thank you for taking the time to answer.
Everyone, I am sorry if I keep posting question after question but I often feel confused about procedures and right paths to follow.
Soo, they scheduled my wife's mri w/ contrast in a few weeks. Yesterday we saw an orthopedist surgeon because the lytic lesion in her upper femur puts her at risk of breaking the bone. Told us they would consult with onc before deciding on next move. They called today telling us they think it'd be best to replace the area with a prosthetic implant. Surgeon said onc will evaluate when the right time is bc my wife is on Ibrance and as we know, it lowers WBC. He didn't mention if they intend to radiate the met at all or if that's even possible to do afterwards. I know this is going to sound stupid, but doesn't surgery put one's body in a vulnerable position that could potentially allow cancer to get the upper hand and find its way into progression?
Does anyone have any insight?
Daniel
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Daniel, my right hip, femur and pelvis have been seriously compromised, too, but MO doesn't want me to have surgery (Sx) for the same reasons...my platelets and wbc's are low, and Sx would be risky.
I'd see what they can do as far as rads go. If you can, I'd try to get a 2nd opinion too. It never hurts.
In the meantime, I’m wearing a hip/thigh brace to add a bit more stability and i use my cane everywhere, even in the house. If i fall again it won't be a good thing.
L
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Daniel, I put off a major recon surgery because the plastic surgeon told me as part of the process from surgery through recover all of my cells would become activated (research angiogenesis) which could include healthy plus cancer cells. He said they don’t have a strong evidence base for how this effects cancer patients, but there is a small risk.
At that point I decided what was truly an elective surgery from a physical point of view wasn’t necessary for my survival (know that I’m not judging anyone who chooses otherwise). The ability to walk and stay strong is an entirely different scenario and I second Lita’s advice for a second opinion. If they are planning to remove that part of the bone then I doubt they’d do radiation but I’d suggest asking about that and also whether radiation post-surgery would have benefit (if it turns out to be MBC Mets in that bone).
Lastly, ask us a million questions. The women here are amazing. Glad you found us
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Grriff my onc said 50/50 that the hormone treatment and Afinitor will do the trick. He has met with some very good breast oncologists and that was the general consensus , I hope it does because I don't want to have to go thru chemo after 9 years again . Which chemo are u on
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Delvzy I'm on Taxol. Had infusion yesterday. A little disappointed because my platelets fell from 81,000 to 63,000. Other blood work looked good. APRN said not only does chemo kill the bad cells it can kill the good cells both of which are rapidly dividing. Hemoglobin up so that's good. Next week is my off week so they hope my platelets go up then. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Hope your treatment works wonders as I'm heading that way after chemo.
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Woke up with that awful joint pain again. Instead of pain med, I decided to try mj just to see if it’d help. Disappointed to report that it did not. I’m relaxed, I could definitely go to sleep, but my joints still hurt
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Hi to everybody! While I am waiting for the doctor I could ask a question if someone knows. From the PET / Ct scan report it says " interval increasing metastatic lesion right humeral head. No evidence for additional prominent " He made me do x ray to see better. No new lesions in the body. I hope I don't need to move to a different treatment. Thank you in advance for some thoughts if you know
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interval increase means lesion has enlarged in size between one imqge to the next.
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Gumdoctor, thank you.that's what my MO said, but what is next?
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That is up to the MO.
I had interval increase on a L4 lesion over 3 CTs. That triggered a biopsy. Biopsy came back positive for mets. That's when I was diagnosed stage 4 and he started me on first-line therapy of Ibrance/ Faslodex.
Your MO may want to wait for another interval increase before changing regimens. Mine made me wait 6 mos, 3 CTs before calling it stage 4 mets and switching me from Arimidex to I/Fas. But I was going from bilateral stage III to stage IV.
I wish you the very best with this information. And hopefully you will end up with a great outcome.
I am learning new information does not jecessarily mean good or bad news. It is just information until decisions are made on the new information.
Warmly, V
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My stage 2 breast cancer dxd in 2002 has come back. No lymph node involvement. 8 rounds of chemo, and 28 rads. On arimidex for 5 yrs.
SCARED to death. Had a bone marrow biopsy 2 weeks ago which is when my onc called and said BC back. Not too much other talk about it because obviously don't know much more. PET scan scheduled for Mon 5/21. Through the bone marrow biopsy, does that mean it is in my bones? Most bothersome for me right now is shortness of breath and some very low pain in back, which is hard to tell if it is from picking up grandbabies, playing golf or cancer? I know I have a recurrance of bc. Can you have chemo, or radiation again. I know alot depends on what my onc & PET scan says, but I really feel pretty good. I do seem to get tired alot easier, but the shortness of breath is the worst. I just need some comforting, I guess. I was on the boards yrs ago when first dxd. You all are for more knowledgeable about all this than researching on internet, which has me gone in two months! I've seen alot of good friends from these boards fight and fight. Some have lost.
crisssy50
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How do I change my username
**username change. Swess is now SheliaMarie. Time to be me again
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Gumdoctor, great nformation. Thank you. I hope Ibrance will help improve. I think he doesn't have enough reasons to change treatment, but he'll watch to see until the next scan. I like to have information and I hate if I can't get it.
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Blueshine, I had mixed results from my first set of scans after 3 months of I/F, but now 10 months in am seeing overall improvement. Wishing you good luck with this regimen, but if it isn't working, it's always better to know and course correct.
Chrissy, welcome to this thread. Needless to say, we wish you weren't here, but hope you find wisdom and support. I actually haven't heard of a bone marrow biopsy being the first diagnostic, so can't offer any help there. You are in the very early stages of a long-haul marathon, but in many ways it's the hardest part. You've got no answers, all kinds of questions, and aren't feeling that great for the battle ahead. Know that once you settle on a treatment plan, you will feel better physically and mentally, and things will get better. Keep reading these boards and internalize the impressive results you'll see living here day in and day out. Stay away from the internet - it's outdated material and doesn't reflect all the new advances in therapies. Most of all, keep asking questions and you'll be better informed when you meet with your doctors.
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Chrissy, I am sorry that you have MBC, but this is the best place for you to come. I remember how I felt when I was first diagnosed. The fear, the sorrow, the confusion, the overwhelming sense of loss of control were difficult. I made the mistake of googling at first, but I soon learned to ignore those meaningless statistics that are out there. The waiting is the worst part. Once you have completed tests and learned the results, you will know what you are facing. Then you can pick yourself up, start treatment, and get on with your life. We will be here for you every step of the way. I am sure that testing will determine the cause of your shortness of breath since many things can cause that. I was suffering from shortness of breath when I was diagnosed, and it was from severe anemia. The symptom went away when I started treatment and the anemia became less severe. It sounds like you lead an active life including fun with your grandchildren and playing golf. As far as treatment is concerned, yes, some people do have radiation and/or chemo for MBC, but the chemo is not as harsh as it is for early stage bc. Many of us, including me, have not had radiation or chemo. There are many different treatments available, and yours will depend on your cancer's type and characteristics. In the meantime, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, and you will be on my mind on Monday as you have your scans. Big (((hug))) to you.
Hugs and prayers from, Lynne
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Welcome here Chrissy - so sorry you are dealing with this new dx. I was diagnosed in Feb after 15 years from stage 2. I have a single bone met in my rib, which I did have radiated. I am now on a combination of 3 drugs - none of which have the side effects of our original chemo. My cancer is ER and her2+ so that’s driving my targeted treatments. The side effects are totally manageable most days.
50s girl is right that you are in the worst stage of this process right now. Once you have a complete picture and a solid treatment plan, you will feel more in control and hopefully get your shortness of breath under control too. The pain in your back may also be unrelated. What prompted the bone marrow biopsy?
Stick with us and we’ll see you through these difficult days. Brighter days are indeed ahead!
My thoughts are with you.
Lauren
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I had my annual Physical Exam from GP. She did blood work and my CBC showed low white and red blood cell counts. She thought that I might have anemia. She referred me to my Hemo/Onc for further evaluation. He suggested the bone marrow biopsy. He originally thought that I had mylelysplastic syndrome. He told me that, that could be caused by the chemo & radiation I took years ago when BC was first dixd. I could have fallen off the chair. I compared it to "friendly fire". I did tell him then that I had some bone pain, which comes and goes. When the pain is there so is the tiredness. So, hence the bone marrow biopsy which lead to finding the BC has recurred. That where I stand now, waiting to take the PET scan, then meeting with him to get some very hopeful results. You gals are great and a wonderful support system. I will keep you all in my prayers, as I hope you keep me in yours. Hopefully waiting.
crissy
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Chrissy - You are in my thoughts. The waiting for the damn diagnostics ... just the pits. A great time for distraction and denial. Clean out the garage closet?
>Z<
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Welcome Chrissy! This is a knowledgeable group of people who will be here to encourage you. Having a treatment plan in place will help things feel more normal. Those first few weeks after Dx are tough. Hang in there.
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thank you ladies for taking the time to shre your experience with taxol. May we all shock drs with positive results more and more!
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