Persistent Sternum/Rib Pain

sunflower71

I am trying very hard to not let my mind wander off into "is it mets?".  I have had persistent rib pain underneath my left breast since last summer.  Sometime in the fall my sternum began to hurt.  It only hurts when you touch it.  If someone touches the spot on my sternum it is an 8 on the pain scale.  I ended Herceptin in late November.  I am a year out from rads.  I had a lumpectomy with 3 nodes removed.  One had micromets.  I had 2 areas of LVI. 

My onc ordered rib x-rays in December and nothing showed up.  So I ignored the pain for a few more months.  At my 3 month check up she asked if it was still there.  I told her at a recent acupuncture visit I screamed when the acupuncturist touched the sensitive spot on my sternum.  She sent me to my rads onc.  The rads onc said that the pain is outside the field where the rads targeted.  She did not think it was related to rads.  She wanted a scan.  My onc called me yesterday and told me she is concerned and is ordering an MRI.  If the MRI does not pick up anything, she will order a PET.

I keep telling myself that my chances of it being nothing are greater then it being something.  But then the voice in the back of my head says "Hah, that's what they told you when you were first diagnosed."   Here I am again, in the waiting game, and it sucks. 

Karen3

Hi sunflower71

I just want you to know that I am thinking of you - I cannot offer you any words of insight on this but I fully understand your fears. You are right - the waiting game is awful. But, it seems that your medical team have ordered the necessary tests and you will know the answers soon. I think the not knowing is the worst part. I am wishing B9 results for you but while you are waiting try to distract yourself as much as possible - especially when you start to dwell on those negative thoughts. Please let us know how you get on.

Karen X

ma111

Sunflower, So sorry. I don't know what else to say.

sunflower71

Thank you Karen and ma for the support.  I am trying to stay in the land of optimism. 

Karen3

Hi sunflower71 -  the land of optimism is better than the alternative when we worry about what may / may not happen. I always think that mets is a possibility for all of us - but fretting and worry will not change that. The best that we can do is get on with our life and highlight any issue of concern - which you have done. Now the wheels are in motion and the tests are ordered and now you must wait. I have been there too - and it's awful. I have had times when I have been almost consumed with fear BUT try not to let the fear of cancer spoil your life in the here and now. I will be thinking of you and wishing for good scan results X.

sylviaexmouthuk

Hello Karen3

I was browsing through some of the threads and saw your posts. I was glad to know you are well and posting such  good support.

Warm wishes,

Sylvia.

Karen3

Thanks for that Sylvia - I suppose I did go a little quiet for a while!

I am doing fine now - back at work teaching over the last couple of months and getting on with life after my latest encounter with BC. We are on our Easter hols from school at the moment (back at work tomorrow) so I have felt more relaxed over the last few weeks - hence being more 'active' on the boards. I will pop back on to the UK TN thread and catch up with everyone there. Karen X

sunflower71

MRI was scheduled for the 4th.  Now to keep myself busy for 10 days....

Karen3

Hi sunflower71 - thanks for the update and just to let you know that I will be thinking about you X

Anonymous

Sunflower, i too have a concern with some rib pain I am having. I just had surgery a month ago (abdomen lipo with fat grafting to the breast). I am trying to convince myself that it is due to the surgery and compression garment I have been wearing 24/7. but I am not convinced. I have been released from the garment now, so I am giving it a week before I make a call. I have a spot around my shoulder blade that is slightly sore, but not like a bruise. The rib pain is one spot, sensitive to the touch. Ugh.

sunflower71

Fluffqueen-  maybe try taking NSAIDs on a regular schedule for a week to see if it helps.  My onc had me do that back in December before ordering the rib x-ray.  She told me if it was inflammation a course of NSAIDS would help.  Don't you hate the fear?  It constantly makes me hear zebras not horses.  Fingers crossed for you.

momx3

Sunflower, I PROMISE I'm not following you!!! LOL

Anyways, I hav had rib pain ever since my BMX in Mar 2011. No one seems to have an answer and YES it is very painful. In certain places, it is an 8 or 9. The sternum is probably the wosrt though.

Good luck with your MRI. The waiting stinks!!!!! I just went though that (pituitary) and even though I knew they were knocking me out!!!! 

sunflower71

LOL Momx3, thanks for the advice on both issues!  I am looking forward to putting both things behind me. 

sunflower71

I thought I was handling this well, yet the day of the MRI I could not sleep and woke up around 4:30.  The MRI is set for 11:45 today, hopefully I get some good news next week.  I keep hoping it's related to the lumpectomy somehow. 

momx3

Good luck!!! Let us know the results!!!!

Karen3

Hi sunflower - wishing you a clean MRI. let us know when you hear anything!

NNBBFL

Wishing you the best but telling you to listen to your inner voice. It was rib pain that caused me to go to the doctor in the first place. I kept thinking it was where a broken underwire in my bra kept poking me. Since it was my rib bone and I could feel no lumps in my breast I was certain that it could not be breast cancer. I was sooooo wrong. I was dx Stage IV with bone mets, my tumor is 3 cm and none of the doctors or me can feel the lump because it is 5 inches down but it managed to move into and fracture the rib bone.

dragonfly1

Sunflower I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that you get benign results and that you find out quickly to put your mind at ease! The fear of recurrence sucks and never seems to end. I'm finding it easier to deal with the further out I get but every lasting pain spooks me. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

sunflower71

B9!  The pain is a result of a fairly large seroma!  I will have to see my BS to dicuss my options on dealing with it.  My original tumor was located in the upper right quadrant of my left breast.  It laid very close to the chest wall.  I am so thrilled to have an answer.  Thank you everyone for all of your support!  The onc mentioned that the MRI happened to get my liver in the pictures and that I have some nudules there.  She did not seem concerned but would like to play it safe with an ultrasound.  I am not worried either. 

Now off to rejoin the land of the living.  My DB and I are taking a year sabbatical to travel.  I had mentally convinced myself that we would not be able to go because I would need to be in treatment again.  The fear of this disease is a complete bitch sometimes.

shadylady1

Sunflower - I normally don't post a lot but I saw this and wanted to congratulate you.  Such wonderful news!  This disease is a bitch but I am so thankful you are well!  I am so jealous you are getting the opportunity to travel for a year!  Enjoy yourself!  Emily

sunflower71

Thank you Emily!