Bone Mets Thread
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Hello GiGi - You have added to what others have said, and I really appreciate it. Every little bit helps. It's sounds like although your scans and biopsy were scary (of course!) you got through them OK, so that is reassuring to me. Interesting how the Letrozole hasn't helped some of us for very long. You did 18 months, I've done 3 years, but then got the mets. Like you too, I think some of this has actually been going on longer than what's showed up on the scans. The spine met they are most concerned about is directly behind where the original large (5.5-6 cm) tumor was. I think that tumor was there quite a while before I went and got checked out too. I think those cells had a long time to spread to other areas and that they are just now showing up. They were real surprised at the time of my initial diagnosis, that no spread showed anywhere, given the size of the tumor. I think it was out there, just not showing.
Yes, I can see how the Xanax could help discern from what's "in your head" (not that that isn't important!) vs what is an immediate medical issue. I'm still debating whether to take that Ativan or not, but I'm also considering taking some Claritin too, and I read that the "downers" can interact with antihistimines, so want to read more and weigh more about just what I want to do here.
Thanks so much for your good wishes, Gigi. I wish nothing but the best for you too!
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threetree I take an antihistamine every night, along with a low dose of the Xanax. They don’t interact enough to make a big difference. I also read that Ibrance might heighten the effects of the Xanax. It does maybe slightly, but I take a low enough dose it doesn’t make much difference at all. I welcome a little extra calm. Like you, I react quite strongly to medications, and before I was diagnosed Stage IV, I wouldn’t even take Extra strength Tylenol. It took a lot for me to get those first injections and to take that first Ibrance. I do like to take the Ibrance with dinner, which is my biggest meal of the day. I have had no tummy troubles at all, however. Soon you will have your answers and your plan. I was just reading the thread on here of 5+ years survivorsmof Stage IV. It was very inspiring.
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threetree,
For anxiety you might want to read about and consider trying GABA Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid. It's a supplement. I tend to be pretty cautious and conservative about supplements, but I took Superior Source GABA 100mg, sublingual for a while. It's available on Amazon. The effect was very subtle, but I think it helped me be a little less reactive, more calm. But after about a month of taking it I started to develop mild headaches and since I couldn't figure out why, I decided it might be the GABA so I stopped it - and the headaches stopped. I think it is safe, and it might be worth trying.
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threetree,
I also have had a hard time with anxiety. When I was diagnosed with MBC my family wanted me to start an antidepressant/antianxiety medication, but I was not interested. Someone (either my MO or my Primary) suggested a consult with a therapist. I mentally resisted, but agreed. It turned out to be a very good decision. I've been seeing my therapist (psychologist) every 3-4 months since 2019. He lets me determine the frequency and has told me I can call for a sooner visit if needed. Each visit is an hour. How many health care providers give you an hour any more? I started out with in-person visits, but since covid all my visits are by video and that's been just fine. He listens well, has gotten to know me (that's a biggie since when I go to oncology I feel like a number), and he offers insights, feedback that I find helpful and supportive. After my last visit he suggested that I let him know the results of my next scan. He's definitely in my corner. You may want to consider looking into this kind of support.
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Gigi - Nice to hear that you have no problems with an antihistamine and Xanax. I guess the problem is that they both can cause drowsiness, but if you are taking them at night, that's probably not a problem. Like you, I can have problems with Tylenol. It can make me feel like a zombie or that I have blunted emotions or something. I actually took an extra strength one the other day, and used it along with a lidocaine patch, and I wound up miserable. As soon as the Tylenol wore off and took the patch off, I felt a hundred times better. Drugs can make you feel worse than what your told to take them for. I read that 5+ year Stage 4 Survivor thread too, and it was indeed inspirational. My whole day went better. I could use another good read like that this morning.
WeninWI - After what you wrote, I looked up GABA and it looks like it does provide a nice, quiet calm, so to speak, but headaches were listed as a side effect. There were a few other things that concerned me also, but I will still keep it in mind, because with all that's out there, and with everything having it's bad side effects, it could still turn out to be better than most. Divine had mentioned Buspar, so I looked that one up too, and wow, what a load of scary side effects - even tardive dyskinesia! I'm glad that it's helping her and that she apparently has no problems with it, but I think I'm going to have to cross that one off my list of possibilities. Most people who take it probably have no problems, but I don't think I'd want to risk that one.
When I was up at the ER the other day, the staff did suggest to me that I look into drugs and counseling, and like you, Wen, I resisted, but took the information they gave me with names, programs, etc. I always have doubts about just how much help a counselor could really be, since they can't take away the cancer. I find this group super supportive and helpful, and I also find talking to a couple of real good old friends helpful too. I'm not sure how a counselor could top these things, plus you have to get all dressed and drive somewhere to see them. It seems like a hassle when family, friends, and boards like these might be just as useful. Also, I don't know how much of any of that Medicare would pay for. I am struck by your saying that you just check in with someone every 3-4 months, and by video. That might be something I could see myself doing. My mind kind of sees all this as Stage 4 cancer being incurable, no one can give me enough drugs or "talk therapy" to make it go away, so all I'd really be doing with anyone is venting, and maybe getting a little moral support. Again, it seems like friends, family, and people on this board provide plenty of that. What we all need is "THE CURE!"
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Threetree- I tried counseling a few times- I felt like a geisha girl- when she said she was worried about death also- i realized it wasn't what I needed. when I spoke to a friend of mine who is a therapist she told me that it sounded like I needed a friend who was in my same situation to have lunch with and just talk- I have met a few BCO friends who lived nearby and it was really wonderful to talk with someone who Is in my situation who isn't horrified or feels sorry for me, we just talked about our cancer issues like any other subject. Getting support is the key - sounds like you are open to people's suggestions re help- and a few of the suggestions could be just the right thing.
Hugs!
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Nkb - Thanks so much for your insights and more. Doesn't sound like your counseling experience went very well, and I'm not surprised since it really doesn't seem to be "the answer". I think your therapist friend was spot on and what some of us just need is some friends who are going through the same thing to meet up and have coffee with. I told the staff there at the ER the same thing. Two of the women from the social work department came in to talk to me and we just got to chatting about life and everything and anything (including metastatic diagnoses), and I told them, "This is what I need." It diffused my anxiety so much, just having the casual chat with them. I told them I just wanted an informal, casual conversation and coffee sort of thing. Even the "support groups" that they have at the local facility seem to all be very structured with planned agendas and topics. They seem to be the antithesis of the free flow conversation with other patients that I want and need. Maybe if I just dig around here in my local area some more, I can find a group that gets together for lunch or something.
Hugs back to you!
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threetree - Perhaps you would benefit from one or more of the MBC Zoom weekly meetups. It gives us a place to connect with others in our situation. It might be very helpful. I am in a rural part of Oklahoma and don't have any support groups near so this is one of the things I try to do each week when time permits.
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Cowgal - Thanks so much, that is a possibility for sure. Are the MBC Zoom sessions "led" by a moderator and structured in some way, or are they actually a group get together with others in this situation who can have a "freeflow" conversation, without being "guided" by a moderator or someone who isn't in the MBC group?
Also, I just got done with a telehealth appointment with my regular PCP and he was strongly advocating for seeing a counselor. He was just real sold on the idea, and wanted me to promise him I would call a number he gave me when we were finished. Well, I did call the number, but the person I am supposed to speak with was out. They told me to start with the social work dept, because it is "free" for one thing, as a routine patient of my facility, and then they thought I could talk to them about just how helpful or appropriate it would be to "see someone" as they say. The person I spoke with wasn't sure that Medicare would cover visits with a psychologist, but said that all the counselors do Zoom. That was a plus for me - doing Zoom and not having to look "presentable" and drive somewhere once a week or whatever. I decided I'd make that initial contact with the social work dept, and just see if more formal counseling is anything I want to pursue.
I've spoken above with others about the benefit of being able to talk about all of this with friends and family, plus others in groups like this, and have doubted how much more, if anything, a professional counselor could do or add. I told the PCP the same thing and he said that while all the friends and family and social groups are helpful, that he truly believes that talking with someone who "doesn't know you" has it's own separate advantages. He said he thought that the insights and input of someone "who is thinking of you, but not worried about you" is beneficial. He seemed to think that the friends and family, etc. have a personal stake in your well being of course, and that that colors the situation with them a bit differently than with a third part counselor. I don't know, I'll just have to see.
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Threetree, there is a facilitator on the Zoom calls, but I think you would find this may be just what you’re looking for. There is no agenda at all. We all feel so connected and are able to talk about anything. I have not been to a counselor, but I hate missing a meeting. I usually go to the Monday meeting at 2 eastern and sometimes Wednesday at 4 eastern. They also have some that are later in the evening for those who work and one for people under 45, I believe. You could always pop in and see if it would be a good fit, and if it isn’t, that’s okay too. I’ve made a lot of good friends on there, and I am one of the original attendees when it first started.
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nkb, how unhelpful of that therapist. It's about as helpful as hearing, "Well, we're all dying, so what's the big deal?"
I called a Christian counselling center one time because I was feeling distraught. The guy I spoke with had my treatment plan all lined up before he even met me. Never went there. I was so disappointed. I just wanted to TALK with someone who could tell me if I needed counselling, medication, or ??? I was really disappointed.
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threetree - you can participate in as many of the weekly Zoom meetings as you want. I’m still working so the Tuesday evening at 7:30 PM Central time works best for me. The moderators will also send out links to information we discuss and also send a follow up email with a recap of some of the things discussed. This is a place where I think you will feel like you can really open up about what you are going through, learn from others and feel supported as well as supporting others
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Candy-678 - In answer to your question I asked my MO about it. I only see him and get scans quarterly but I get Xgeva and Faslodex monthly. I'm also in a small town and live less than 10 min from my cancer center so that makes a difference travel wise. My MO was very resistant to spacing out Xgeva. Since I have been stable on my regimen he is very hesitant to change anything. It's been really interesting to hear different approaches to treatment though. It makes me think and offers more questions for me to ask when I do see my MO.
Threetree - it's a fine line deciding to go to the ER or waiting it out to see if it's panic. I think you did the right thing. I have a compression fracture at T8 that encroaches on the spinal cord. I occasionally get zings and tingling like you describe. I tend to have an avoidance pattern when it comes to ER. I will go if I'm near death, otherwise I will track my symptoms and wait. That hasn't always served me well. My symptoms get triggered by too much lifting and too much sitting or bad posture. I think if I had developed numbness or weakness though I would have gone to the ER like you did. The neurosurgeon I talked to about it made a specific point to tell me not to ignore numbness or tingling with my fracture, particularly if it doesn't go away.
tld2017 - I'm sorry to hear your news but I am glad you are finding some comfort here. This has been the best place I've found to feel "normal" as best we can define that word. My diagnosis is not the same, I am HR+ and HER2-. I developed mets up and down my spine and to my right hip and femur. Three years later my oncologist considers me in "stable remission." I have never heard that bone mets to the spine or elsewhere is a bad prognosis, it's usually the opposite. Bone only mets is statistically a good prognosis. When mine were found I remember my MO at the time gave me a rough estimate of 10-15 years but also said that new drugs were constantly in trial and not to give up hope. I appreciated that. I figure God only knows and I live my life as normally as possible. I will say that I've had to make an effort not to feel like I'm waiting for the next shoe to drop sometimes.
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Part of living with MBC is getting a complementary therapies team together. Ive got a therapist and PT sorted, now just need to get a masseuse sorted out. I may not always use them all the time, but its good to know I have people I can trust and use when needed. But it takes time and it took me almost 2 years to see a therapist, and that was more to deal with anger than anxiety. It helped a LOT though, and Ive been on an even keel ever since.
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emac- Thanks for posting what your MO had to say. Yeah, if you are doing well, then you hate to change things. I get that. I like hearing what others are doing with their MO's. So, I was getting scans every 3 months, so I got Xgeva every 6 months-- every other visit. Now, we are going to space out my scans to every 4 months since I am stable. Instead of me keeping the Xgeva every 6 months, thus having to go in just for the shot those times, we are moving my Xgeva to every 4 months-- each time I go for scans. I will be there for scans, labs, MO, and Xgeva. As I posted, my MO read that the ESMO recommends INDEFINITE use of Xgeva in MBC patients-- no treatment vacation. But.... the timing of dosing,,, monthly, 3 months, 4 months, 6 months seems not to be so definite. Hum... I wonder what is really the right thing to do. Does anyone really know??
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To this interested in the Xgeva dosing frequency topic, I found this SMALL study from 2022. Why oh why did they stop at 37 patients? Grrr. In the discussion section, they refer to a previous study with 97 patients. These studies seem to be focused on dosing frequency and not how long we should stay on these drugs. For anyone interested, here’s the article: https://watermark.silverchair.com/oyac066.pdf?token=AQECAHi208BE49Ooan9kkhW_Ercy7Dm3ZL_9Cf3qfKAc485ysgAAAsowggLGBgkqhkiG9w0BBwagggK3MIICswIBADCCAqwGCSqGSIb3DQEHATAeBglghkgBZQMEAS4wEQQMTw8Gyxp2umXGjqsJAgEQgIICfbqWuey6amQgoatuMY83c-5TJfJ7IwCDaPGsu6d_B5Eyb2awWAbSMD7yPO4wCL5_v3WetCwRoKzdRgCX4AvmNPmkIZXSSilsZVY7MDoDa0HM8JBGU35MuDX-pPSAmSenLEPBlcU5SF61yyXqFqDzRrlWaKJNdIStiBEf_BGAlKetlSKHGGRcrOSqsuYfK4mUYwT2tjERnKCUF2IquNuAe7153ucI6Z5jnzmpjreCD69lXb4il335yxm3Z_BEXClog0Oe6GTPEHBzal1UGlWUDJLDLk-Vw5Ep6QozhMQ5VbNBBEBvhVKn657iJpFkVIKdwbzkua2xQYaGVO0Q2fcsfSUwQL2jT6IewnTC1xFVqzoyVWnc8w0X_60taUaP1mCgHsB0UrIUzaJyp9CFN-2kwbK_z04BDXoQluJMlenKnlbIm5oJDpUuAZXkC3sPgIwa9gYIzGhWr5z343iNxxuPOnCkdse2pQ2r8zu86k1IQDFnFHjFv_avYZkIPl8hULVxM8eIJ4h9gIQ1pAe8cYfMZgfjO9LsK71g0uumYtliOhMWA-5RumKGcXOvLM8rHXySN9Riy_yM9mq_wN77uKsEC2ytcLYwEZW22Scsphy-e8ZeyFiYe1k3OQmB0EjeS5B0EmBSXNi5mDiRbDd3hgCWREdga-HyC1Z2xGJ-WNE4kLQSkn4V1yF_RODLwOHpNl-537NU_HuWhaAp5ZVa0C6B0wU84ZToyNGAF5rQBjXNcVruIXwOXC9oPVFohHAVI_2-GSm2X5zdw2VuIUCAA4ESQOY60A6sB-p89ydXAa8ZGKhXeZqZboa-OjiOw87koEPoMP55Sj37gNj7MC4dRlA
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I'd like to dispel the myth that my advice to try a small dose of Ativan will somehow morph into taking "pills, pills, pills" to cope. This seems to imply some kind of addictive, out of control behavior to numb difficult feelings that some of us have from living with metastatic breast cancer. I never suggested swallowing pills like candy. And it's not about zoning out or tuning out or drowning out feelings and not feeling anything at all. I still feel all the emotions: happy when I find a good bargain, excited to go on vacation, enjoyment from a great movie, frustrated with poor service, irritated by bad drivers and on and on. I still get into disagreements with my husband. I still cuss under my breath. I still love to hear gossip. I love flowers in bloom and a beautiful view.
What an antianxiety medicine does for me is helps me not catastrophize every little situation and blow it out of proportion. I might still get a wave of anxiety, but I do not get stuck in it or go down the rabbit hole of fear, fear, fear. I am able to get busy and move on with my life. I take one small dose of antianxiety medicine in the morning and get on with living. That does not translate into pill, pills, pills.
Each of us must do what we think best. I wanted to make sure that those of us who use antianxiety medicine or antidepressants aren't looked upon as if we have checked out. If anything, the meds help me live much more fully and presently.
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Divine - I hope that you are not thinking of me in regard to what you've just written above. If you are, that is not what I meant at all, i.e. that taking a small dose of Ativan would lead to pills, on pills, on pills. I also never got that impression from anything that you said. I think you said you were using a little Buspar and that it was helpful. I thought that was good, and did not equate what you'd said in any way with pills, pills, pills.
My concern about the multiple pills on pills issue is that the doctors themselves often just suggest more pills for side effects and anything you might complain about (e.g. pain, pill side effects, emotional difficulties), and that if one isn't careful, they can wind up in a real negative situation. My job takes me to a lot of nursing homes and adult family homes, where I see our guardianship clients given pills, on pills, on pills, and over the years, it has really rubbed me the wrong way, that so many wind up in this situation, and I can't help but think, "They've got to find a better way!". My issue with pills, on pills, on pills has nothing to do with taking a little something for relief, or something like an antibiotic for an infection, etc. I'm truly sorry if I gave the wrong impression.
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I dont take anything for anxiety, a really important point is getting it prescribed by the correct person and having a care plan, and following up with a psychiatrist specialising in Psycho-Oncology.
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Threetree,
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Nkb - Thanks so much - that's a good one!
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Nkb, haha! Funny cartoon!
threetree, first, I agree with you 100% that this forum provides amazing support. I don't think I'm cut out for one on one therapy. The work required to find the right counselor who'd grasp the depth of what I deal with would exhaust me and I don't care to waste the time trying.
I get your point about nursing home residents often seeming to be overmedicated. But elderly patients who can't live by themselves is not the demographic of this forum. I've been a member of bco.org for years, and can say that overwhelmingly, the majority of women here diagnosed with breast cancer are often in the prime of their lives. Some haven't even hit their prime because they are diagnosed so young. For many of us, one of our first thoughts is, “I don't have time for this!" because our lives are so full and busy. We're not looking to be overmedicated. We want what the medical field has to offer us in terms of keeping us alive, of course, but also engaged and letting us flourish and get on with the process of living.
We have a stage iv member who graduated Harvard after learning she had mbc. Another mbc member traveled to Australia and climbed the Sydney Harbor Bridge. A year after I had chemo for mbc, I rode the fastest roller coaster in the world with my husband and son at Cedar Point, Ohio. I was gleefully screaming, “Whose idea was this??!!!" the whole time. (It was mine.) There are countless other stories like this from other women with mbc.
It took me many, many months to adjust to the new reality of mbc after I was diagnosed and since then, I've had to continually reassess and make adjustments. Among other things, one of the very best supports during it all has been the camaraderie I share with members here. And that small dose of daily Buspar helps, too.
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Divine - Thanks for the info and the stories. It gives me some hope and inspiration. Interesting to hear that you said it took you months to adjust to the MBC diagnosis and that you continue to make adjustments as you go along. That's something I've been wondering about a lot, i.e. do just finally get to where you put it somewhere in your mind in an "acceptance" sort of way, and if so, how long does it take; or do you have to keep adjusting, re-evaluating, reassessing, etc., and for how long? I keep hoping I will get to some place of "acceptance" or "resignation" or whatever and just live my remaining life from that place, but I'm afraid that's not how it's going to play out in reality.
I don't know that I would be able to put in all the time and effort of finding that "perfect" one on one counselor either. I'm not sure that that person even exists. I think we get a little bit of good information from all kinds of people and then we put that together in a way that resounds and works for us as individuals.
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threetree, imo, I think when someone is still so very new to the diagnosis of mbc, like you, there's a rawness that is felt. You are still getting tests done and waiting to learn what kind of treatment you'll be on, isn't that correct? Once you know more, it helps. Of course, everyone's situation has its uniqueness. But even tho you'd been diagnosed with bc before and now are dealing with mbc,and in my case I was dx with mbc from the start, both situations suck! I learned to frame it as living with metastatic breast cancer, not dying from it. I read that as time goes on, it becomes sort of like riding a big wave where you're learning to keep things balanced. Even before mbc, I was always one to periodically reassess, in a casual way, what was working in my life and then figure out what wasn't working and get rid of it. So I still do that. Now it's easier because I have less time for the bs. (I'm still learning to place value on myself and my time.)
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Divine - Yes, you are right that I was stage 3 for about 4.5 years, and now just crossed the line to 4. Having new scans this week, then biopsy and meeting with the dr at some point in the next couple of weeks for new plan. (Follow up appt with the dr is March 1). I can wrap my head around the idea that I am "living with metastatic breast cancer", but it's the "for how long?" and "in what condition?" that is bothering me the most. This mets to the spine business just sounds really nasty to me, and I conjure up all sorts of thoughts and images of severe pain, paralysis, and more. Interesting about "riding a big wave" and keeping things balanced. So far, I have likened this all to a roller coaster - both emotional and physical, with totally unbalanced emotional and physical symptoms. Can't tell what is what, and then what is yet still the old Letrozole side effects. I'm just a jumble of physical and psychological symptoms that I can't sort out. I'm hoping that any new plan the dr comes up with will help settle things down a bit, but I"m very uncertain if that will really happen. Yes, I think we do all stop and re-assess periodically and shift gears in life, no matter what our situation, so like you, I imagine I will be doing a lot of ongoing re-vamping as time goes on. It will be interesting to see if I too just want to cut through the BS and get down to business with whatever time I might have left.
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threetree - From ER visit to first day of treatment was 10 days for me. 10 long days of the unknown. If I’m not mistaken, you will be waiting over a month! Girl, if anyone deserves a pill to take the edge off, it’s you. Yes, things slowly got better for me as I stabilized on treatment, healed from femur surgery, found this group for support and started practicing gratitude. I had to force myself to focus on the good in my life and it slowly helped me heal. It took about 4 months of grieving to get stabilized emotionally. I don’t like to take more medicine than necessary but I say use EVERY tool in your toolbox to help you get through. If the pills don’t help or you don’t like them, then stop taking them. This diagnosis is a sucker punch. Do what you have to do to get emotionally stable. If you don’t, you will be wasting what time you have left. Hugs.
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Rk2020 - Thanks so much for your comments. They are helpful for sure. Yes, from ER visit to treatment is looking like it could be 6 weeks. They are all backed up due to Covid, staff shortages, etc. All the stuff so many places are experiencing these days. I guess they figure it's not super urgent at this point. At my first diagnosis 4.5 years ago, it was the other way around. They kept wanting me to steadily move along, and I kept stalling and was wanting to get through the holidays first, etc. Big turnaround this time. I do still have the bottle of Ativan sitting on the counter, but have been trying to not take it if I can. Good idea about maybe having to "force myself" to look at the good, and stop dwelling on the bad. I'm terribly afraid of sinking into a self pity mode - not at all what I want to do or feel is healthy. Wow, 4 months of grieving. I'm not surprised though, given how I've been feeling the last couple of weeks. I absolutely agree that I need to get this under some sort of control, so that I can function and enjoy whatever life there is left. Hugs back to you also!
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threetree, I was a jumble of emotions at the beginning, too and it took me a long to time to sort out what I was feeling. I was prescribed antidepressants and felt worse. Then I finally noticed that when I took the Ativan for nausea around chemo time, I was calmer. I finally put two and two together and realized what I was feeling wasn’t depression but severe anxiety. I was able then to work with my pcp to find the right medicine, the buspar.
Another thing I learned to do was to stop projecting myself, my thoughts, into a far off future that I could not predict, and to live more in the present moment. It’s more about living the fullness of one day and then do that again tomorrow. Rinse and repeat. For me, it’s learning to live with uncertainty and along with that, I try to stay openminded. Anything can happen, and that includes good things. It’s a process, not always the easiest thing to do and I can veer off track. But it’s a general coping thought mechanism that helps.
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I have been quiet here with posting but check this forum multiple times a day to read messages. Threetree, I think I remember reading that your scans are tomorrow? My whole body scan and ct scan are on Wednesday, starting at 8:30 am. I have long periods of time where I'm busy and try not to dwell on things but other times, like at this moment, my hands are shaking so badly I can barely type. I wonder too, why my oncologist said my prognosis would not be good if it is what he thinks it is. It seems as though so many of you are doing well with treatment. Is there something about me, my particulars, that he thinks will make me not do well? I have no idea. He said it is in such a bad place, he is not even sure if they can biopsy it. Is that a normal thing for these spinal tumors? Is this an automatic chemo and radiation type of treatment, since it is in a spot that is not operable according to him? I am just working this out in my head here out loud, and I know that you probably can't answer those questions... Just grateful to read positive messages here and to know that I am not alone. Grateful for all of you!
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Hi tid2017 - So very sorry to hear of your anxiety, but very understandable and I can relate "big time". A week ago, I had a morning where I had to write out a whole lot of checks (for other people, not myself as it's part of my job), and I was in such a bad way that I could barely write them - had to stand up, then sit down, then go try in another room, just for the change of scenery; pacing and frantic all the while, etc. I noticed that I was such a mess that it was altering my handwriting and I kept messing up with both the checks and the envelopes. I honestly didn't think I'd be able to get it all done, but I did. It was 2 days later that I went to the ER to ask them if this was from my spinal mets or a panic attack - they said panic. I don't know what a person is supposed to do in this situation. I guess like the others above have said, it takes some time, and it's always a balancing act, but it does get better once "on a plan".
Re your questions about the spinal tumors. I just have no answers and have been wondering some very similar things, but have no way to know myself. I do hope you get answers to your questions from someone somewhere. I was wondering if others on here with spinal tumors might not come along with lots more information. I really fear severe pain and paralysis. Like you, I would love to have a lot more information about this spinal situation as it is very scary to me.
Yes, my scans are tomorrow morning at 8 am. A little worried about having to go up there, because we are having a sudden drop in temperature, so it will be still partially dark and likely icy for the drive. It's not too far, about 15 minutes, but I'm sure not looking forward to it. I'm absolutely dreading the results and terrified they will find more than they already have, and that it won't just be confined to bones.
I hope with all my heart that your scans go well on Wednesday. Please let us know what happens. No, you are not alone, and just as you say you are grateful for all of us, I think I am not wrong if I say that all of us are grateful for you too - I know in my case, I definitely am!
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