Really worried about my mom

Kkmay

Hello ladies

The stats below are of my mom. She had a mastectomy for her left breast on the 29/8/2019 followed by radiation and xeloda. She finished six cycles of xeloda and two cyclesare remaining. She suffers now from backpain, rib pain and side pain. The pain alternate between these areas. I’m really worried that the cancer has spread to the bones. I need reassurance please😭

etnasgrl

((((Hugs)))) I know how scary this is. My mom also had breast cancer, so not only do I understand the survivor part of breast cancer, (since I am one), I also understand the daughter of a survivor part. Honestly, I think that may be worse because you want to help your mom, you want her better, but are really so powerless to do very much. It's a hard place to be.
I understand your fear and worry......anytime we experience pain after a breast cancer diagnosis, our first thought tends to be that the cancer has spread. While that could be true, it could also be true, (and VERY probable!) that it is something minor and not cancer related. Chemo can be so taxing on the body and can come with a laundry list of side effects, including pain.
I'm sure that your mom has an incredible medical team who is monitoring her closely, especially considering she is still in active treatment. Maybe the next time she goes in, you can raise these concerns with her oncologist?

Yogatyme

Kk, I had bmx on 8/13 and I still have rib pain and at times some back pain. I think it takes more time than we imagined it would to fully recover. A friend told me that it took 2 yrs before she felt completely normal. I also think this can be influenced by age. I would highly doubt your mom has a recurrence

Anonymous

Mets usually make themselves known in one particular spot or not at all. The pain doesn't alternate between spots or sides.

I had a breast reduction many years ago and they really whonk you around on the operating table - I felt like I had run a marathon for about two weeks after with soreness to the whole body and I was 22! It took me 6-8 months to feel like everything had readjusted to 'normal'. Muscles, ligaments, etc everything needs to work in harmony and if one thing is not being a team player for whatever reason it can pull on other stuff and cause pain. It could be her body working out how to compensate for the weight of the now-missing breast, or chemo effects (can't speak to those).

Bonnie7

Hi Kkmay,

This may be musculoskeletal pain, side effects of your Mum's treatment. Yr Mum could try some anti inflammatories just for a couple of days (can be hard on the stomach) if she is able/safe to take these - these may help abate her pain and put yr mind at ease!

Sure your Mum will be just fine!

Big hug to you for caring so much! 💛😘

KBeee

Definitely mention it to her oncologist. It's scary when new symptoms developed. We all can relate.

Kkmay

Thank you all for replying ❤️

Her MO gave her a painkiller (cataflam) and will conduct a PET scan just to rule out bone mets. He said that her posture (hunched back) after the surgery might have caused her backpain. As for the rib pain, it might be caused by radiation. He also mentioned that this could be a side effect of xeloda.

Please share your similar experiences if any