Me and My Shadow

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roseanne
roseanne Member Posts: 50
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Nine years ago after my 8th round of chemo for stage 3 Breast cancer, I rescued a large mix breed, timid and emaciated. She was named Shadow, and from the moment I met her, she has remained my shadow. The recent past has felt rather dark for me, and she remains to hug and weep into her face and neck. Such a supportive companion!

Recently after a very bad bronchial infection with pleural effusion, I had a CT with contrast. The oncologist kind of poo-pooed the results. It show sclerotic lesions on the thoracic spine and liver, with noted axillary nodes. Liver profile is OK-Follow up with the Primary as protocol calls for a repeat CT in May. April seems long.

So, I am grateful for one Shadow, but terrified by another. If I felt well, it would be different. I have pain particularly at night under the right ribs, and behind the right shoulder blade. I have taken pain medication at night for the last week. I remember 9 years ago, when I was tired all the time and experienced weight loss. Most likely I was developing breast cancer. I'm sharing my story, because I want desperately to lose the shadow of cancer from my life. Cognitively I recognize that what I feel is normal....Emotionally, I am very tired. Any advice is more than welcome. I hope I am in the correct forum. I would be curious if others felt similar pain with rib or liver metastasis, before the bloodwork changed, or they were large enough, or significant enough to biopsy.

Thanks in Advance,

Roseanne

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Comments

  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited March 2010

    Hi Roseanne ... I can't answer any questions about scans or rib pain.  I have shoulder pain like you described and neck pain, which was diagnosed as moderate C-spine arthritis.  Chronic pain can really run us down and cause us to be tired, anxious and worried.

    Yes .. May does seem like a long way off, especially when you are in pain and anxious about the next scan. 

    I love that you have a wonderful Shadow.  My big shadow, BoBo, was my constant companion and best friend.  I'm glad you have him right now to comfort you.

    Please stay close  ... you may want to also post this in the Stage III forum, where all the Stage III gals will see it and offer you support and love.

    Hugs,

    Bren

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  • konakat
    konakat Member Posts: 6,085
    edited March 2010

    I have liver mets but my right side only hurt once they were quite visible in scans.  And the pain is pretty well constant.  Since your pain only happens at night and the scan you had seems to have been inconclusive, I wonder if it's a hold-over from your lung infection.  Maybe when you lie down it put some weight on your lung that's not totally healed.  So, I have a very strong feeling it is related to your bronchial infection.

    Re. your next scan -- could you call the imaging place and ask them to move up the date a couple of weeks.  I know it seems a long way off but even if it were mets, which I don't think it is, it isn't that long in the big picture.

    Best of luck,

    Elizabeth

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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited March 2010

    Roseanne,

    Shadow is such an awesome doggie!  As I write this, my dog Utah ( a Welsh Corgie) is napping at my feet and waiting for me to go to bed and snuggle. 

    Everything you are going through is so frightening, but I honestly think it's going to be okay.  It's so easy to get scared about  every ache and pain.  Hang in there.  We hope that this will pass. 

    Thinking about you and hoping and praying for healing.

    Bobbie

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  • roseanne
    roseanne Member Posts: 50
    edited March 2010

    Thank you all for your support-I feel validated and am grateful. I think posting in the stage 3 is a good idea. I will attempr a cut and past!. Thanks again. I remain hopeful, and need to wait for May for insurance coverage.

    Regards,

    Roseanne

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  • LeapFrog39
    LeapFrog39 Member Posts: 101
    edited March 2010

    Now I'm really missing my dog!!!

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  • dreamwriter
    dreamwriter Member Posts: 3,255
    edited March 2010

    Roseanne

    Arent our pets the greatest comfort.  You can talk to them, and they rarely talk over you or try to convince you otherwise.  LOL.  I have cats but have the same emotional thanks to them over the years.  I even had one cat diagnosed 6 mos after my diagnoses with breast cancer.  She had 5 months (thanks to a quadruple mastectomy) to say goodbye to us.  It was an amazing time ....

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