Metastasized to spine after 19 years in remission.

CMHA22

I'm looking for some feedback. My Mother is a 19 year breast cancer survivor (she's 62). This was all over. Recently she's been having back pain And incidentally they found a tumor, just one, on a vertebrae in her spine. Everything I'm reading sounds horrible. Can someone give me a little hope? She feels great. The back pain and even, for the most part, subsided. She's not sick. But now this. I'm terrified.

Thanks,

CM.

LisaAlissa

CM,

I'm so sorry that you needed to be here. I am a little uncertain about a few things: Has the tumor on her vertebrae been biopsied yet--has a pathology report been issued on the tissue from a biopsy?

I gather the answer is "yes" since you're posting on the "Just Diagnosed" board. If so, I'm so sorry that she (and you) have to deal with this. (If not, you won't want to get ahead of yourself until you do have a pathology report with the details of this tumor.)

First of all, don't spend any time with "that quack, Dr. Google." You'll find old, outdated and sometimes simply wrong information. You need to be very selective about where on the web you go for information.

Second, does she have an oncologist? (Clearly she would have had one at one point, but after 19 years?) If not, you'll want to get some referrals and do some interviewing. She needs to find someone she can have confidence in and a good relationship. There are potential treatments (if this is BC mets), and you (and she) will begin to feel better when you have a plan in place.

Third, you may want to start a thread on the Stage IV board here, as there are lots of women here who are living with mets.

HTH,

LisaAlissa

CMHA22

Thank you LisaAlissa.  She did have a biopsy which confirmed cancer cells.  She sees an oncologist tomorrow.  She had a lumpectomy and lymphnodes removed, chemo and radiation 19 years ago.  Everything has been great.  Healthy.  Clear mammograms.  Regular blood work ups.  This came out of no where.  Thank you for responding and for the advice. I will definitely check out the Stage IV board.  

CM