But I don't want to have a bone scan!!

Good morning ladies. I am 1 & 1/2 years out from TN stage 1, grade 3 IDC; 1 year from bi-lateral tram flap reconstruction. Have been suffering with lower back/pelvic pain for 4 weeks. Am also having knee pain and severe pain in my ankles and actual feet bones!! I decided that I was just having issues because of my lack of exercise but it has continued to worsen despite my efforts to push through the day and increase activity. I have been taking skelaxin and tramodol at night before bed just to try to sleep. Ibuprofen during the day does nothing. So finally bit the bullet, called my once, now have a bone scan scheduled for valentines day......I KNEW IT...AND I DON'T WANT IT!!

Hello all,

 I just found this website and thank God for it.  I am a daughter whos mother has had breast cancer first diagnosed at 50 12 years ago, the bc came back with vengence at 54.  A very aggresive cancer.  she is now 67 and she had a CA 15-3 or some cancer screening test.  She usually has tests every year but today the nurse called and said that her levels are 70.  The normal range for this test is 35-40.  My mom asked what were the numbers from the last test and she told her that they had everyone int he office looking for this test and they didn't have results that one was ever done.  Do you know how mad I am?  But I am a christian and we can't look back, we can only look forward.  She said becuase it was 70 they are ordering a PET scan.  My mom is overweight and also has lyphodema and she just had a yeast infection and she twisted her ankle and her arm always swell up like a baloon from inflammation.  She always has blood work done every month but this was the first time a CA 15-3 has been ordered.  Again,  i don't know why i am just praying and it hurts me that my mom has to go through the anxiety and pain in waiting for this PET SCAN.  Can anyone help me understand if 70 is high.  Her second cancer she had at 54 years old, she also had 27 lymph nodes all cancer.  She has been in remission 16 yrs with the first cancer and 12 years with the second agressive cancer.  We are hoping and praying that her levels are because of the lymphodema and constant inflammation since this ca 15-3 or a CA 125 or a CA 27.29 had never been done.  Please can anyone help me understand or tell me if anyone has ever had this happen and should we be concerned with her 70 number.  Thank you and I am praying for everyone on this post that you find comfort and peace in knowing that prayers are all sent your way for a full recovery.  xoxoxoxox

Ilovemymother - first try to take a deep breath. It is early to know anything. First, there are many, many doctors who do not do routine blood work for the cancer markers. Many feel that the patient is just as likely to feel pain or have other symptoms if there is an issue and they also state that markers can also show false positives, or be elevated for other reasons. So... Having said that, I inderstand your worry. Hang in there. I am going to be sending positive vibes that all is well with your mom. Hugs



Mimi791 - i too am a therapist. A couple of years ago I was having some sternal and rib pain that was not gping away... The bone scan came back negative. Somehow, somewhere I overdid it... And even though it did not feel like "normal" muscle soreness, I think that is exactly what it was. After having surgery and rads to the chest area, as well as damage from tissue expanders, any activities that really engage the pecs leave me fairly uncomfortable in the sternal area. I recognize the feeling now, but the first couple of times really freaked me out. Hang in there. I hope all comes back well.