Single Met to Sternum?

sueper13

I had routine CT/bone scans on 7/26.  Came back with an  area of concern on the sternum.  This area has been there all along, a canoe fell on it once, so the uptake was attributed to previous trauma.  All of a sudden this time, it's bigger.  So, had a PET scan.  PET came back today, "highly suggestive of isolated met to sternum".  Biopsy early next week.   Anybody have anything like this happen or have advice for me? Pretty terrified and VERY pissed off....

steffief

I also had a single met to my sternum. After I finished chemotherapy I had a sternum resection and when I healed from that I had 6 weeks of radiation. I was diagnosed 3 1/2 years ago and have been NED ever since. I am on Tamoxifen and Zometa infusions every 3 months. I have also had reconstruction. Where in Texas are you? I am in Houston.

otter

Hi, Sue.  otter here.

I am thinking about you as you work your way through this mystery.  (I'm hoping you get more personal stories like the one steffief just posted.)  Have you thought about getting another opinion, maybe at MD Anderson?

I'm putting the cart ahead of the horse, though.  First, we are going to hope the biopsy turns out to be "osteitis" or "chondritis" or one of those other benign "itis's".  In the meantime, I'm doing some on-line research and will get back to you with anything interesting and/or useful.

Big hugs to you!

otter 

cp418

I think PET scans are very sensitive and pick up on areas that have cellular activity. These areas do not always mean cancer activity.  For me, there were some "artifacts" in my lungs particularly a large nodule. After biopsy, it was identified as fibroma due to multiple hx of bronchitits and respiratory issues (never smoked). So maybe any type of scar or injured area may be more prone to show some activity.  Sending hugs your way.

barbe1958

Sue, count me in on the 'itis' team!! You are in my prayers, sweetie!

sueper13

Thanks, all. Stteffie, I am just north of Fort Worth.  Otter, I feel the hugs.  I will definitely be going for a second opinion, unless the biopsy comes back benign.  Love to all of you.

Sue

revkat

Sue, I remember you from May2008. I had chemo April2008 and followed your much more active group until you all left for facebook. I have no information to offer but I just wanted to tell you that your are not allowed to have mets so don't even think about it! (Ok, I'm not in charge of it, but that's just how I feel). I'm going with the one's who are hoping for somekind of itis. Especially since this is an area that's ben injured in the past. May you find a place of peace through the biopsy (and then be really mad at the docs/technitians/etc for making you go through all this for nothing!)

sueper13

revkat, I remember you too.  Thanks for that (not allowed to have mets!)  Biopsy early next  week....how are you doing?

revkat

I'm doing pretty well. My onco convinced me to switch from tamoxifen to anastazole this summer and while I feel less depression, fatigue, and mental fog, I've been having some ahem, personal, ahem issues, so I've been reading through all the long threads on that here at BCO and saw your post. It's scary, isn't it, to have something like this pop up? I know the women on this board are not a random sample, but it just seems like such a crap shoot how it all works out for us. 

Hope you are finding a way to keep cool down there in TX. 

NancyD

Hey, Sue! As revcat says, mets not allowed! Keeping you in my thoughts and sending lots of positive energy.

barbe1958

revkat, long time no-see!! Why don't you think we're a random sample??? I would say this board IS. Ladies from all around the world, ages, races, health issues, etc. Pretty much everyone has computer access that is actually monitoring their health. I'm sure darkest Africa with no lap tops aren't having mammos either.....

So don't you think we're random???

revkat

barbe, I do think we are an incrediably diverse community. I just like to think (hope?) that there are all the women out there who had treatment for breastcancer and never have another worry about it. Here I suspect we do tend to get more of the stories of bad side effects, and worries about recurrences, and other complications. But I haven't done the statistical analysis (and I won't be, believe me!) 

barbe1958

Well, there's almost 100,000 listed as members. Some have passed of course. Some lurk and don't post much, others, like myself stick around and play some of the game threads as well (adds up posts!!). I would think we have a pretty good panel of mets/no mets. There's been some ladies diagnosed more than 10 years ago that are posting, and they don't have mets. It's not just the metsters that stay, infact, I'd say they are the minority. But with 44,000 women dying of breast cancer in the USA every year, I guess you're right....I had to bring that number into the mix to see your point.

So, yep, there are a lot of women out there that can just move on, and a lot of women out there who die, and then there's us here at bco.org!

AnnNYC

Sue, I'm just another chiming in to say I remember you fondly from "the old days" and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for benign "-itis"!

Hugs,

Ann

ICanDoThis

Sue

ICanDoThis from the class of Spring, 2008 here.

Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers of all of us, and so sorry that you have to go through this worry.

Another Sue

prayrv

Sue,

I remember you as well.  You're in my prayers for "itis" results.

Trish

Anonymous

Hey Sue, I have not been here in a while either and decided tonight to check on some of my fav old threads and came across your posts! Remember the old shovel brigade???? Well I keep one handy just in case, I have no advice but can only offer you a hand to hold or hug when needed and a shovel to clobber anything that is pissing you off! Your in my heart and prayers......always.

Viv........your crazy Canuk!

sueper13

Thanks, women.  It helps to hear from all of you.  Still waiting for the doc who is doing the biopsy to call and tell me when.  Starting to pace the cage a little bit from this but what can you do.  May be time for strategic applications of Ativan.

Love,

Sue

P.s. ..or shovels.

sueper13

Biopsy is August 18th.  It's a go-to-sleepy procedure.  Has anyone had one of these?  What should I expect?

revkat

I'm so glad you have that scheduled. Waiting is the worst. I was afraid we were going to have to come down there with some shovels to get this taken care of.

No idea about the procedure except I know people have them. Someone should come along who has some experience. If they don't soon enough, start another thread just about a sternum bone biopsy! Keep us posted.

Anonymous

sueper13, I know you scared out of your mind.  Most people go to sleep easily...not me.  I was awake during my colonoscopy, port when put in and when taken out, and also the biopsy of my L1.  I was on my belly where you will be on your back.  They gave me versed, fentynl, and something else I believe.  Most people are KNOCKED out with these drugs.  The doctor who did the colonoscopy said he could have given me more, but that I was doing find..LOL  That's cuz I didn't scream and yell.  I thought if Katie Couric can do this while awake, so can I.

After the procedure I did not have any pain.  I was just glad it was over with. 

I have great faith that you will be in lala land.  I'm just unusual. 

sueper13

Thanks, Shirley.  La-la land it shall be, and I am grateful.   Waiting sucks.  I will be fine and then just have a wave of like bottomless fear.   Here is what anti-anxiety drugs were made for, and I have them!!    Love to all of you and thanks for the good words, revkat.  Hopefully it won't take a shovel brigade to get the results of the biopsy!

Love,

Sue

Padiddle

Hey Sue:  I've never had a bone biopsy so can't help ya there.  Wanted to wish you well though.  I do have met to sternum but we won't assume anything till you have your results.  Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers as you wait.  Oh waiting..........  Jean

sueper13

Jean, thanks.  Yes, oh waiting.  The crazy monkeys have been loose at my house for three weeks!  I am going on vacation next week no matter what happens with the biopsy, so there. 

I.  am.   pretty.  scared.

Sue

Anonymous

Thinking of you for your biopsy Sue! Lets get those monkeys caged and throw away the key! Prayers for you girl.

Viv

barbe1958

Of course you're scared Sue!!!! If you weren't you wouldn't be processing this properly, IMHO. You will puke with relief at a B9 diagnosis but you will be prepared if it's not.

Like they say, prepare for the worst, but expect the best!

sueper13

So had the biopsy this morning.  I was not asleep.   After the biopsy, Scary Biopsy Guy came into the little recovery room and said this: "I fully expect this to come back as metastatic breast cancer."  I said, "Why." He said, "Well, just from the PET scan." (Tone of voice was like, well, duh...)    I did not ask him at any time during the procedure what he thought we would find.  I don't understand how anyone could think that is the right thing to say, or a necessary thing to say,  Let my own doctor tell me if that is  how it has to go.   I haven't stopped crying all day.  I HATE THIS!   Now we wait for the biopsy results.  With, oh, yeah, a weekend coming up.

sweetbean

Sue,

 I am so sorry that he said that!  What a f***.  I am praying for you that it is nothing. 

ICanDoThis

Ah, Sue!

Hope he has nightmares.

Hugs

37antiques

Hoping for good results Sue!

My doctors fully expected it was some sort of degenerative condition or perhaps trauma to the chest wall, irregardless of what the scans showed.  So we'll hope that's what it is, since it is a probable answer.

Think V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N-~!!!  And that tech is very deserving of nightmares!

Sue

Anonymous

Ah Sue, what an insensitive jerk!!! I'm sorry he made you cry.........where's that shovel?? He deserves a big clobber! (((HUGS)))  Lets hope he's wrong!