Single Met to Sternum?

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  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited August 2011

    Hi, Sue -- otter here... but, you already knew that. 

    I will always be here, or there, or wherever you need me to be.  I even have a cute, custom-fitted lead outfit to wear just in case you need to go for rads.  And, of course, I've sharpened my shovel.

    otter

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2011

    Sue, sending you Big Hugs, I am sure your getting lots of that right now but a few more are good right? Second opinions are good, I hope you will soon find the best plan to move forward with!

    Gee Otter, your gonna look mighty cute with a lead suit and shovel!! I got some scrubs, mask and my shovel.........oh and gloves, guess I can sneak in a few places to be with Sue!

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited August 2011

    Do we really need the lead shields?? To shield us why?

    Shovels? YES!!!

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  • sueper13
    sueper13 Member Posts: 1,224
    edited August 2011

    Thanks.  Just thanks.  Seems like I am saying that everywhere I go.   I have to adjust to this, and I don't know how.  I have to turn it over, let it go, and I DON'T KNOW HOW.

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  • AnnNYC
    AnnNYC Member Posts: 4,484
    edited August 2011

    ((((((((((Sue))))))))))

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  • ICanDoThis
    ICanDoThis Member Posts: 1,473
    edited August 2011

    Imagine yourself handing all the worries, all the fears, all the TOMORROWS up into a cloud. Then walk away and concentrate on right now.

    If you are like me, repeat it in 10 minutes. Then in 15, well, you get it.

    But you only have to live in this one minute here, right now. Stop getting ahead of yourself.

    This is like a muscle. Just keep doing it until it gets possible.

    ((((Sue)))))

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2011

    Sue, one day at a time girlfriend, one day at a time. Thats all anyone can do. Of course you don't know how, who does?? Praying for you that you'll have your plans together soon, that you will have the guidance your seeking and peace and determination to get this done! Breath......just one day at a time is all you have to do. Holding you tight thru cyberspace!

    Viv

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2011

    Will be thinking of you friday Sue when you have your appointments!

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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited September 2011

    Yes, Sue we're all with you. We know we're only a scan away from joining you, so we're always "in your pocket". Keep us in the loop!

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited September 2011

    Hoping to hear from you later today, sweetie! We are all here for you.

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  • sueper13
    sueper13 Member Posts: 1,224
    edited September 2011

    Well only the medical oncologist was there, but we had a good long talk.  She mentioned Xeloda along with the radiation if we choose not to have surgery.  She says she is all for surgical removal if it is removable because that OFTEN prolongs survival.  I see the surgeon on Tuesday.  I am really really tired of this already, and I haven't even started.   Thanks for being here.  It seems like everywhere I go, I cry.  I know I'm not the first person or the only person to learn I have a metastasis, but I am just having such a hard time accepting this.  It is a really, really hard thing to learn.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited September 2011

    Sue, don't buy into that "I'm not the first person to get this" crap!! It's the first time for YOU!!!!!

    You have every single right to be stunned and disoriented right now. Your life has spun 180* and you're just trying to hang on! You're doing great so far, sweetie, keep hanging!

    With love,

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  • chainsawz
    chainsawz Member Posts: 3,473
    edited September 2011

    This is such a hard thing to deal with....I completely understand.  I used to cry everytime I got into the shower - i think because I was alone and could break down....it got to the point I never wanted to get in the shower again.  After a few months, I got tired of crying and pulled on my war boots!!  I still break down occassionally, but not all the time. 

    It's like the earth under our feet is shaking violently...a constant earthquake.  You'll learn to stand on it....sometimes I fall down, but most days I can stand up and manage to hold a cocktail in my hand!  xx00xx  lisa 

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  • sueper13
    sueper13 Member Posts: 1,224
    edited September 2011

    Thanks, Lisa, Barbe, Viv, Nancy, Sue, Ann.  It's amazing to me that I can come here and get such wonderful support!!  Trying to walk the walk, it's all I can do but I am doing it.  I see the surgeon later today to see if this can be removed.  I think that's what I want, if it can happen.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited September 2011

    Walk the walk. Talk the talk.

    Fake it till you make it.

    You don't have to be brave you just have to show up!

    Keep us posted sweetie.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2011

    Hey Sue, here's hoping they can remove it if thats what you want!

    xo Viv

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  • sueper13
    sueper13 Member Posts: 1,224
    edited September 2011
    The surgeon says it is "easily resectable".  The same plastic surgeon who did my DIEP flap is willing to do tthe reconstruction from this.  HAve seen both second opinion docs and consensus is surgery . Possibly some chemo (Xeloda) first to see how the cancer reacts.  Waiting to hear back from my oncologist to hear her recommendations.  YES!!
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  • ICanDoThis
    ICanDoThis Member Posts: 1,473
    edited September 2011

    What I love about this board is watching women go from confused and terrified, into an intense fact-finding frenzy, and then they come out the other side with a strong plan.

    Sue, I am so happy that you have gotten to this point. You CAN do this.

     Hugs

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  • steffief
    steffief Member Posts: 30
    edited September 2011

    Hi Sue, not trying to be nosy but I had a question. Why would a plastic surgeon do the surgery and not a thoracic surgeon? I had to have my sternum resected and it was made out of mesh and cement. Very hard recovery. In hospital for 5 days. I think I was off work 4-6 weeks, don't remember exactly, it was almost 3 years ago. I wish you the best.

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  • cabmom
    cabmom Member Posts: 388
    edited September 2011

    Sue.....will be sending positive thoughts and prayers your way!  So thankful that you have a plan put together.  Please keep us posted!! 

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited September 2011

    Good to hear that you're still moving forward!

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  • sueper13
    sueper13 Member Posts: 1,224
    edited September 2011

    Steffie,

    A cardio-thoracic surgeon will do the surgery.  He'll remove about 3" of sternum, leaving the top and bottom parts.  The PS willl then do the reconstruction.  I will have more info early next week about what the reconstruction will be  made of.  And no you're not being nosy!  And are you still doing well?

    And, edited to add, thank you for the answers and the support!  I am feeling so much more hopeful and trying very hard to stay in the moment.

    Sue

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2011

    Well Sue, your on your way with a plan in hand. Now you know where this is going so you can have some time to orient yourself to the surgeries ahead. For some ppl knowing what they need to do gives them a focus knowing where the start line is and aiming for a finish. Of course none of this is easy and never will be but having HOPE that this will kick that cancers A$$ is what will get you through. HOPE, LOVE and PRAYERS are sent your way! 

    Viv XO

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  • sueper13
    sueper13 Member Posts: 1,224
    edited September 2011

    Viv, thank you so much.  Took a walk with the dogs tonight and the sun was setting on one side while the moon was rising on the other.   

    Please pray for the physical-wave-of-fear thing which is still happening once or twice a day to go away. 

    Love,

    Sue

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  • survivor11
    survivor11 Member Posts: 550
    edited September 2011

    Oh Sue, I am so sorry to hear that you are going through this. again. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. I know it's got to be hard but try to find that same determination that got you though this the first time and try try again to get there.

    You will remain in my thoughts.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited September 2011

    Aw sweetie! I know what you mean. It's like an adrenaline rush through your body for flight or fight! Do you have any ativan or lorazepam to help you stay calm during this time? You are doing marvelously here on your posts, but I can only imagine the panic jolts you must get. Are you sleeping okay? You need the rest.

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  • sueper13
    sueper13 Member Posts: 1,224
    edited September 2011

    Barbe, I asked for and got the anti-anxiety meds as soon as they told me the scan showed something.  I take them.  The wave of fear thing usually means I didn't take enough.   Trying to keep it to .5 mg in the am and the pm but some days I need a whole one just to get through the afternoon....

    Sleeping is just okay, waking up early and not able to go back to sleep....but I am much less frantic than I was when I was waiting for the results.  

    Love and hugs back at you..

    Sue

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  • Naniam
    Naniam Member Posts: 1,766
    edited November 2011


    Got a call from my oncologist Friday saying something showed up in my sternun and a spot on my spine (guess thoracic since it was in the chest area off the CT)  Biopsy of sternum is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 4th.  Guess it is just the sternum.  What is the biopsy like, do they give me any meds? 

    Did anyone have symptoms of sternum mets?  I've had SOB and a cough.  There is a very sore spot on my sternum.  Could it be scarring, chondritis?????????. 

    Any feedback would be so very much appreciated.  Thought oncologist was going to call me back this evening - but he didn't. Nothing since I got the call on Friday evening.  I called today to find out the conclusion, which I didn't get, and was told CT scan prior to biopsy was at 10 am. Friday

      I'm 6 years out.   Very upset.

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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited November 2011

    Naniam:

    I don't have any info to glean on this subject for you, but I'm sure someone will come along shortly and share with you.  I just wanted to say what a kick in the stomach this must have been for being 6 years out and then to hear this latest news.  Please know that I care, and hope that this is something other than the effing cancer back again.  Please keep us posted.  Sending prayers and keeping you in my thoughts.

    Linda 

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited November 2011

    Naniam, I haven't had any issues with my sternum (yet) so I can't help you! I'm sure Sue will be by shortly with info...

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