Bone Scan getting info....

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Jessica42
Jessica42 Member Posts: 5
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

  Hi, first time posting...been a lurker for awhile.   :-)   I have been down the breast cancer road, lump in right breast, mastectomy, chemo, reconstruction.  In Feb. I will be four years out of chemo.  Went to the doc a few weeks ago, one of my tumor markers was in the red, she sent me off for a bone scan this past Friday.  I have been having some pain in the mid/upper part of my spine...more of a dull ache...so of course I'm freaking out.

    I call my oncologist office today and she is out for the week, but her aid had the "scan" and she told me she saw some bone degeneration ....I know about that, bone density test....but she would have the doc look at it when she came back next week.  

   Now...they are not the ones that look at the scan and make a decision right?  There should be a report to go from along with the scan.  Am I right? So is the aid just giving what she can without the doc around?  I would think if the report said "bone degeneration" then that would be done and we move on.   Thoughts??

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

    Ok, I know my mind would be going in the same direction as yours if I were in the same situation, and I know no matter what I try to say, it's going to go there anyway, at least until you know for sure.  What I do want you to try to concentrate on though is that they are legally NOT supposed to tell us anything regarding the reports unless told by the doctor to do so (and whenever is that???), but I'm reading it as if she knew she couldn't tell you what the report said as that would be overstepping her bounds, and perhaps cause her to even lose her job, but I see it as she didn't want you to worry until you hear back from the doc, and that she's trying to tell you not to worry - it's the bone degeneration.  It's feasible for that to get worse as day by day we are aging, so try to go with that the best you can.  It stinks to the heavens above when we have to sit and wait for test results - especially when someone goes on vacation, etc.  I don't think that should ever happen, but unfortunately it does.  Hang in there as best you can.  I really don't think she would have said anything at all, and just remained adamant that you'd have to wait, if it was going to be news you didn't want to hear.  I'm hanging on to the bone degeneration and I sure would tell the doc when she gets back that that is cruel and inhumane treatment to make a cancer patient wait for results that long.  Wishing you all the best and that her vacation goes by REAL fast.

    Linda

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  • Jessica42
    Jessica42 Member Posts: 5
    edited December 2011

       Ok, thanks, truly I didn't think of it that way.  I pretty much figured that she couldn't tell me and "real" news, so no biggie there.  But of course my head jumps to the worst side of the problem, thanks for helping me see the other side of the coin.  If I wasn't having the back pain, I wouldn't be to worried about it.  I will go with your thoughts and just wait it out and go on living and enjoying.  :-)
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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited December 2011

    I'm holding your hand if only thru cyberspace.  Please keep posting, there is always someone here to help - it helps, I know from experience.  God bless, and I hope you get to put your mind at ease, sooner than later.

    Hugs,

    Linda

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  • kml
    kml Member Posts: 13
    edited December 2011

    Hi Jessica,

    There is a report and you are entitled to a copy. I would ask them to fax a copy or pick one up. I would go crazy waiting a week. I had a bone scan on Wednesday that showed a hot spot. My doctor is also out of town this week. His assistant is faxing me my report.

     My spot is only one and on a rib so it is unlikely that it is anything. A bone scan report won't tell you if it is cancer, only whether there was dye uptake. As other posters have said, there are lots of other things that it can be. Additional scans or biopsies are needed to confirm a diagnosis.

     Good luck. Kristen

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  • Jessica42
    Jessica42 Member Posts: 5
    edited December 2011

      Thanks Kristen, I'm hanging loose for the moment and feeling better about it all.  If my doc hasn't called me by Wed. I'll be giving her a holler.  Got lots to keep my mind busy and stuff to get done.  Like get my butt back to the gym!!!  Lost 50 pounds this past year and I'm not going to let "what if" depression make me gain it back!!

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  • kml
    kml Member Posts: 13
    edited January 2012

    Congratulations on your weight loss! My husband lost 40 pounds last year. That is hard work. Followed up on my spot with a CT scan. Those results were inconclusive. They are scanning again. I really think it is nothing. I hope your scan was clean. Take care.

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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited January 2012

    Just to let you know I'm thinking of you and hoping you have heard something to put you at ease.  I just found out the results of abd/pelvis CT today with onc-gyno, and I don't have any tumors or masses, etc.  I am certainly very happy and relieved to hear that news, but as one thing relieves you, another shows up on the CT.  Saw a small sclerotic spot on my lower spine, but the onc-gyno feels it is most definitely "wear and tear" or arthritis (I will be 65 next month).  So now I am being scheduled for a freaking full body bone scan - sheesh - it just never ends.  I hate this disease. 

    Linda

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  • Hope60
    Hope60 Member Posts: 223
    edited January 2012

    Linda - great news about your clear scan! But so sorry to hear you have to go through yet another CT! It sounds like your onc isn't really that concerned about the spine thing, but just wants to cover all the bases.  Seems like once we've had cancer, they want to scrutinize every little thing to be on the safe side.  I  hate this freaking disease, too!  
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