Elevated calcium, scheduled for more testing

StaceySue2U

I'm supposed to have my BMX with tissue expander placement on 2/25. I was feeling better because I finally had a diagnosis and a plan. My biopsy had come back with a ki67 of only 1% and they were telling me I didn't need chemo and this is a super slow-growing cancer and I was really feeling positive. I thought I'd get the surgeries done and take the hormonal therapy for the rest of my life and that I could think about going back to work soon. Now my calcium came back at 10.9 and my MO has scheduled me for a total body bone scan and CTs of the chest, abdomen and pelvis on Monday to see if I have metastases. I got my blood drawn for parathyroid hormone and vitamin D test but they didn't call me today with any news on that so I'm assuming that came back normal. Now I'm back to waiting for results again. This time I think I'm going to knock off all the finger crossing and wishing and praying and hoping. I'm sick of this already and it's just beginning.

StaceySue2U

Anybody out there who's had low grade cancer and mildly elevated calcium and came back positive for mets?

StaceySue2U

Thank you very much for the reassurance. Are you getting chemo or anything that makes it high?

snorkeler

My MO does bloodwork every six months, and a year ago my calcium came back high at 10.9 like yours. I went back in a few days later to have it retested and also to test for ionized calcium (a different way to measure it) and parathyroid hormone. MO was concerned about my parathyroid. On the retest, calcium was down to 10.6, and the other values were in the standard ranges, so my parathyroid was fine. I was told to stop taking calcium supplements. I did and the three blood tests I've had since then have all come back normal.

I remember at least one thread somewhere on these boards about elevated calcium. I'm sure it'll come up if you search for it.

lintrollerderby

There are a couple of threads on here about the co-existence of elevated calcium, the parathyroid, and breast cancer. It's quite interesting. I'd suggest doing a search of the boards that way you can read any threads or posts that strike your interest.

ICanDoThis

I had one of those slow-growing cancers with no chemo, etc, and elevated calcium, and low vitamin d.

It was hyperparathyroidism, and I am now years out ofcancer, 5 years past parathyroid surgery.

Doctors offices often don'T call, so don'T be surprised by a lack of information. Hyperparathyroidism is not uncommon, and far more likely than Grade 1 mets.

Luck to you

StaceySue2U

Thank you so much for the reassurance. I feel like I've had so much bad news lately that I'm just waiting for another shoe to drop. I actually hope it is my parathyroid. I searched on here like you all suggested and I definitely have had all the signs. If an easy surgery would make me feel better taht would be great.

StaceySue2U

Yay - the bone scan and CTs show no metastases.

jenjenl

Awesome news

EstelaLorca

StaceySue2U, That's great news!!!

KBeee

great news!!!