Scared Shit----

dragonfly
dragonfly Member Posts: 77
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

I am scheduled to have a needle bone biopsy tomorow am, and am having a real hard time with surrendering to this procedure.  I refused conscious sedation and pain meds via IV because I can't stand the sensations produced by these drugs, so I am going on 1-2 mgs of Ativan hoping that'll get me through it. It will be cat scan guided, and I have become so scan phobic.  I think I have Post traumatic stress d/o from undergoing all of these procedures and treatments - I've had enough.  Help me to get my head straight so I can get myself there and get through this please!!! Yes, I do have someone taking me.  FYI - Stage 4 Bone Mets, or so they thought, this will determine if that dx. is accurate.  If not, then I can stop taking Femara, OH YEAH!!  So, this test is important, still, hate the thought of it.  I am off to work today for distraction, will check back when I return.

Thanks,

Debra

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2009

    Debra

    Im sorry your so scared but DEFINATELY associate with what you are saying....Im not stage 4 and hope never to be, but to date I have refused ALL scans for followup care. I will have them when and if I have symptoms and only then...I know this may sound crazy, especially since Im trying to not make that Stage 4, but I cant mentally get myself around all these doctors appts and testings....I fortunate that my oncologist is one who believes the high stress level of waiting for test results is more damaging than helpful unless there is a reason (Like with yours) to have the testing....

    My thoughts will be with you that their original dx is NOT CORRECT and that you can ditch the Femara....

    Hugs

    Jule

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  • dragonfly
    dragonfly Member Posts: 77
    edited April 2009

    Thanks for your reply Julie,  funny how we all approach this so differently.  I changed Oncs because my previous onc didn't want to do all these tests, and now I am agreeing with him, but have this new onc who wants me to get this done.  Things happen for a reason I guess.  If I were still with the old onc I'd be getting treated for Stage 4 ad infinitum, maybe I'll have a whole new lease on life with good results on this, and if I don't, I will be thinking long and hard about how much treatment and tests I want to subject myself to, because I am worn out from it all.  Its just too much.  You know you can have PTSD from all this?

    I'll let you know how it goes.

    Best

    Debra

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  • TenderIsOurMight
    TenderIsOurMight Member Posts: 4,493
    edited April 2009

    Clonazepam is a quicker onset, shorter life anti-anxiety pill (1 mg to 2 mg should help) if you have the choice. If you use Ativan, remember to take it well in advance so that it has enough time to truly relax you before your procedure or you may find it works more after it's done.

     Good luck. Fully understandable that after enough procedures, post traumatic stress may result.

    My best tomorrow.

    Tender 

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  • dragonfly
    dragonfly Member Posts: 77
    edited April 2009

    Tender,

    Thanks for your input, I actually have Lorazepam, but call it Ativan.  I believe all the "pams" are in the same Valium deritive family, so I am trusting that it will act the same as the Clonazepam.

    Love your byline on the bottom of your message!

    And, I love this site, people are always there for me when I need 'em.  Its the best thing ever created on the net!!

    Also, saw something recently about how accupuncture helps alleviate se's of AI's, I should start another thread about this.

    Debra

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  • mbscruggs
    mbscruggs Member Posts: 141
    edited April 2009

    I could not get through the mri- took me three times.  ativan helped on the last try.  I just got through playing the piano this evening...it is one of those things I put aside for too long.  When I was first diagnosed with my breast cancer 11/08, one of the things I finally did that helped me find some serenity was to begin  playing the piano and playing and signing some of my favorite childhood hymns.  You are in my prayers Debra.

    mb

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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited April 2009

    MB, I had my Core needle biopsy in February and it was a breeze.  The diagnosis was for shit (cancer), but no pain whatsoever.  Small lidocaine shot first that I hardly felt and then felt nothing else. My nodule was 11:00 and quite deep in the breast, and my radiologist kept apologizing to me for having to go so deep.  I felt pressure, but absolutely no pain.  Good luck and God bless.

    Linda

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 12,678
    edited April 2009

    Dragonfly - wishing you much luck tomorrow.   i hope things go well for you and you get the results you are looking for.  I will keep you in my prayers.

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  • spar2
    spar2 Member Posts: 6,827
    edited April 2009

    Dragonfly, you are in my prayers, the lidocaine should deaded it enough so it won't be so painful. Please stay in touch and let us know how you are and the results. There are so many wonderful ladies on here with good advice.  God bless you. gentle hugs. sherry

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  • dragonfly
    dragonfly Member Posts: 77
    edited April 2009

    Thank you everyone, I so appreciate it and feel the love that comes out of this from all of you.  I will post again to let you all know how it went, and what the results were.

    Best to all,

    Debra

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  • badboob67
    badboob67 Member Posts: 2,780
    edited April 2009

    Debra,

    I did have a needle biopsy of one of my vertebra without sedation. I was in the ER with a compression fracture and already experiencing quite a bit of pain with that (and was given several pain meds to try to get the pain under control). I essentially went into the procedure with most of the drugs already out of my system except for something with the same type of relief as a Tylenol #3.  I won't lie...it did hurt quite a bit. The good news is that it's over VERY quickly and the pain does not linger. The ATIVAN will likely help quite a bit because you will be relaxed and not tensing up like I surely was! 

    Good luck...I hope you get B9 results!

    ((((HUGS)))
    Diane

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  • navygirl
    navygirl Member Posts: 886
    edited April 2009

    Debra...no words of wisdom I just came across your post and wanted to wish you the best.

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  • kfinnigan
    kfinnigan Member Posts: 1,729
    edited April 2009

    Debra, just read this thread, sending my thoughts and prayers to you.  Hang in there sister.

    Hugs, Kari 

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 12,678
    edited April 2009

    Dragonfly - still thinking of you and wondering how it went today.  I hope everything went well.  Will say a prayer for you.

    I just noticed your from CC. I'm a Sandy Necker.  Can't wait for summer!

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  • tami48
    tami48 Member Posts: 533
    edited April 2009

    Dragonfly - thinking of you and hoping all went well today!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2009

    Debra - Just wanted you to know you have 1 more person hoping that everything goes well for you! Hang in there... best wishes to you.

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  • dragonfly
    dragonfly Member Posts: 77
    edited April 2009

    Hi girls, Wanted to let you all know that it went very well yesterday, I got through it with flying colors.  Had some Lorazepam on board that I took before I went in, and yes they did give me a little pain med via IV.  The 2 nurses from my hospital based BC support group were there with me, and I tolerated it all very well.   Of course, I was in a stupor for the rest of the day, very, very sleepy but not loopy, so got some extra zzz's when I got home, and am doing good today.  No pain at the site, incredibly.  Still a little sleepy, but I can live with that.  Going out to meet a sister for lunch this afternoon (another gal dx'd w/ bc).  I will write again when I get the results which won't be until the middle of next week.

    Thanks again for all of your support!!!!

    love yas,

    Debra

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  • kfinnigan
    kfinnigan Member Posts: 1,729
    edited April 2009
    Debra, glad to hear you got through it well!  That's great news.  Will pray for good results!  Have a nice lunch with our sisterWink  Don't fall asleep in your soup! LOL
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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited April 2009

    You go, girl!

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 12,678
    edited April 2009

    So happy for your dragonfly!  Lorazapam is good!!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2009

    Okay... you have the RIGHT attitude... have fun this weekend... enjoy time w a sister...be well....

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  • spar2
    spar2 Member Posts: 6,827
    edited April 2009

    very very good.  Have a great weekend.

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  • candie1971
    candie1971 Member Posts: 4,820
    edited April 2009

    Glad the test is over for you...praying for good results!

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  • dragonfly
    dragonfly Member Posts: 77
    edited April 2009

    I have received incredible news from my bone biopsy, came back with no evidence of cancer!  I am still letting it sink in.  After living with a stage 4 mets to bone dx. for a year and a half, I am not sure how to react.  It is great news, but I am left thinking what the hell was the past year and a half all about?  An incorrect diagnosis???  I no longer have to have the Zometa treatments, and I can at last stop the Femara.  I think that is the greatest news of all given that Femara made me feel like puke every day ... so girls, if any of you have a diagnosis of mets to the bone and only bone involvement it may be a good idea to have a bone biopsy done to confirm the diagnosis.

    I still have the little red 'vette, and ya know what - I am keeping it!!!

    Thanks again for all of your support ... I will still check in to pay it forward ...

    I hope I have given a few of you some hope that miracles can happen!

    Love, Peace and Health to all,

    Debra

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 12,678
    edited April 2009

    Debra - CONGRATS to you!  I can only imagine how thrilled you are!! I am SO happy for you.  You give us all hope!  Thank you!!

    This summer as I'm cruising around the cape, I will be beeping to any little red vette's that I see!!  I would keep it too!  Good for you!

    May God continue to bless you!!

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  • TenderIsOurMight
    TenderIsOurMight Member Posts: 4,493
    edited April 2009

    What wonderful news, Debra! Wow.

    I understand 10% of breast cancer metastasis rule out biopsies will be negative (posted on this before). 

    I am so happy for you and sorry for your year and a half worth of troubles. Femara keeps distant disease away (although packs a punch while doing so). I'm sure you've discussed the pros and cons of its termination or continuance at length with your oncologist.

    Best to you, 

    Tender 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2009

    Debra - I AM ALL CHOKED UP! Such good news... I am so happy for you! Be well...be happy!

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  • justannie
    justannie Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2009

    I also live on Cape cod and recently diag. with BS.  Your byline made me laugh, but that is exactly how I feel most of the time.  It does feel like ptsd.  I am very happy that you are finished with all this stress and sadness of not knowing.  You keep that red vet and enjoy every moment, I too will look for you and beep for your triumph!  You go girlfriend.

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  • dragonfly
    dragonfly Member Posts: 77
    edited April 2009

    Tender,

    I hear you loud and clear, can you point me to the thread that talks about those 10% of biopsies that come back negative? 

    If I have to go back on Femara I will, but I am taking a drug holiday to see how I feel without it because I have been experiencing fatigue/exhaustion on a daily basis.  I failed to mention that my tumor markers have been normal since the dx. of mets to bone in 08/07.

    Debra

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  • TenderIsOurMight
    TenderIsOurMight Member Posts: 4,493
    edited April 2009
     
    Hi Debra:
    Here's a recent post on this. I know I've read other expert comments on benign biopsy's in 10% range too, but don't have immediate citation to them. 
     
    I surely am happy for you, and as a fellow Femara user, do relish the idea of a nice vacation!
     
    My best to you,
    Tender 
     
    Mar 30, 2009 05:58 pmTenderIsOurMight wrote:For some time now, a number of research oriented oncologists have been trying to increase knowledge and awareness of management issue in a presumed breast cancer recurrence or metastasis. For we patients there seems to be a divergence in management in such circumstances: some patients seem to be urged to undergo a biospy of the site in question if feasible and the others not.Marshakb is on target when she mentions the 40% change in receptor status: this is most typically ER+ to ER-, or HER- to HER+. This may lead to a change in treatment plan for many women. It's important to know too, that a full 10% of such biopsies on suspicions will reveal benign disease. This is vital to avoid undergoing unnecessary treatment and helps to know in general if you are going to have a biopsy.While several abstracts have been published on this issue, the other day I came across a small prospective (not looking back but forward) study by Mark Clemons and all in Canada. I post it below for you to have for your reference.My best to each of you,Tender: Ann Oncol. 2009 Mar 18. [Epub ahead of print]
    Does confirmatory tumor biopsy alter the management of breast cancer patients with distant metastases?Simmons C, Miller N, Geddie W, Gianfelice D, Oldfield M, Dranitsaris G, Clemons MJ.Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital.
    BACKGROUND: Decisions about systemic treatment of women with metastatic breast cancer are often based on estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), and Her2 status of the primary tumor. This study prospectively investigated concordance in receptor status between primary tumor and distant metastases and assessed the impact of any discordance on patient management. Materials and methods: Biopsies of suspected metastatic lesions were obtained from patients and analyzed for ER/PgR and Her2. Receptor status was compared for metastases and primary tumors. Questionnaires were completed by the oncologist before and after biopsy to determine whether the biopsy results changed the treatment plan.RESULTS: Forty women were enrolled; 35 of them underwent biopsy, yielding 29 samples sufficient for analysis; 3/29 biopsies (10%) showed benign disease. Changes in hormone receptor status were observed in 40% (P = 0.003) and in Her2 status in 8% of women. Biopsy results led to a change of management in 20% of patients (P = 0.002).CONCLUSIONS: This prospective study demonstrates the presence of substantial discordance in receptor status between primary tumor and metastases, which led to altered management in 20% of cases. Tissue confirmation should be considered in patients with clinical or radiological suspicion of metastatic recurrence. 
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  • dragonfly
    dragonfly Member Posts: 77
    edited April 2009

    thanks Tender ...  I am very tentative now since learning from my onc this am that they were only able to obtain bone fragments vs. a core sample which may not be enough tissue for a definitive diagnosis... and now think that a surgical biopsy may be the next step.  Well, I keep going back and forth on I have CA, to I don't have CA, its very confusing.  I'll keep a watch on my tumor markers and symptoms, see what happens with a long femara holiday (maybe a month).  I am thinking this is not something that is going to go away with a quick "its benign" ... know what I mean?  I may always have to be vigilant, and that's my reality, not everyone understands that.

    Debra

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