What to look for....

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SheChirple
SheChirple Member Posts: 954
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I am fairly new (see diagnosis) and doing very well.  I have read way too many posts on this forum and am concerned about watching for recurrence or metasases.  What to look for?

For instance:  (GRAPHIC - sorry)  12/22 I had my final drain removed from my BMX/TE surgery.  So, I got to sleep in my own bed for the first time in 4 weeks.  I woke up 12/23 with excrutiating back pain, which I assumed was from the change in sleep locations and which carried on throughtout the day, with difficulty walking, getting up and down out of chairs, etc...  When I woke up 12/24, I had similar pain, but less.  12/25, Christmas morning, again same pain, but even less and I was able to get around better.  I figured I was right, just muscles reacting to change in positions.  Then I had very bad stomach cramps later that day, which I figured was just my cycle, which is due on 12/27 or 28.  Then, late evening 12/25 I had copious amounts of blood in the toilet.  At first, I thought it was my period.  After 2-3 visits to the restroom I realized it was in my urine.  I didn't tell my husband until bedtime on 12/25.  We decided to wait until the morning to go to Urgent Care.  On 12/26 there was very little blood in the urine, so I did not go.  By the end of the day, nothing, perfectly clear yellow urine.  During the entire episode, I kept thinking to myself 'what if I have kidney involvement?  Could this be kidney cancer? Could this be metastases?'.   I now believe this is a UTI and I'll be seeing my regular doctor tomorrow for results of the urine testing I just dropped at the lab. But....

Will I spend the rest of my life thinking every ache, pain or symptom is cancer related?  How do I know? What should I be looking for?  When do I call my regular family doctor as opposed to my general surgeon who is co-ordinating my cancer care?

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Comments

  • mikita5
    mikita5 Member Posts: 373
    edited December 2011

    SheChirple: I've had BC but, so far no recurrence that I know of.. I can't help you with your question, but just wanted to send hugs your way. I'm almost 3 yrs out from bilat mx and every little pain makes me wonder if it's returned. You're not alone in your worries.  I've had severe pain in my legs recently and am hoping it's arthritis, but haven't done anything about it except call my oncologist and she says to check with my surgeon (who is 8 hrs away from me). I will probably go to my family doc to see if he can order any scans, etc.

    I guess it's something we will always have with us. We cannot help it.

    Hugs and best wishes!

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  • J-Bug
    J-Bug Member Posts: 626
    edited December 2011

    SheChirple: Here's hoping for a UTI right?!! I wish you the best and hope for a good outcome. Keep us posted.

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  • icey
    icey Member Posts: 141
    edited December 2011

    Shechirple,  I am 2 years out and no recurrence yet. But you asked the question we would all like to know. I have had a pain lately in my ear and immediately think it is in my brain. If I get sick at my stomach I think it is liver mets If I get bronchitis I think it is lung mets. What to look for is a recurrence symptom that last long than 2 weeks that you have not had before.Then it will still probably be unrelated to cancer. You will always think cancer not matter what symptom you have. However on a good note. You have a good prognosis with stage 1 and a grade 1. Er and pr positive and not in lymph nodes. So there is a lot better chance that it will not recurr that the chance that it will. If you are already through menopause it wouldnt worry at all. Hope this helps!!

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  • Soccermom4force
    Soccermom4force Member Posts: 631
    edited December 2011

    Shechirple,

       It sounds like you might have had a kidney stone! I had seriously horrendous back pain and lots of blood in my urine when I had kidney stones.They can do a scan called an IVP to see if anything is visible in the ureters. I passed one stone and then on another occaision a stone got stuck in my ureter. Had outpatient procedure to remove it and I felt better IMMEDIATELY!

     Hope this is helpful...feel better!

    M

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  • SheChirple
    SheChirple Member Posts: 954
    edited December 2011

    Yeah, I'm worried it was/is a stone.  Can you pass a stone without confirming it was  a stone?  What are the chances? I guess I'll talk to doctor about it tomorrow and we'll see.

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