Going through various tests for mets

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I am 40 year old mom of two kids. I had breast cancer in 2009 I had a mastectomy and Chem and radiation. I am feeling great with exception I had sever lower back pain and my leg was sort of tingling. So I decided to tell my regular doctor. But because of my breast history he send me for a bone scan. This is when I started to stress. It came back as suspicious for metastic disease. My doctor did confirm because he said was not sure. He said I had to take a pet scan and a MRI. I am scared and don't know what to do. The only thing I know is not knowing is the worst. At least when you know you could do something about. I know I feel otherwise great I work full time and take care of my babies. If anyone has gone through this please help me not to go crazy.

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  • sandilee
    sandilee Member Posts: 1,843
    edited May 2012

    I'm so sorry you are going through this. It's very scary. It does sound like you are getting exactly the care you need--scans to show what's going on.  Thank goodness you didn't wait any longer, and it sounds like if it is mets, they aren't too widespread in the bone, or your doc would be more certain. Take comfort in knowing tht bone mets are very treatable, and a small amount of bone mets can even be treated to the point of NED, if your cancer cooperates.   Women live many, many years with bone only disease. The important thing is getting treatment, which you are doing.

      Try not to stress too much, as it won't help and might send your body into shock.  When I found out about my mets, I broke out in hives that started at my face and ran through my body.  I looked really bad..lol... and then, to add insult to injury, my hair started falling out.   And I hadn't even had treatments yet!   So try not to panic, take care of yourself and your kids, and know that with good care you'll be around a long time. 

     And I'll keep good thoughts that your MRI shows disc disease, and not cancer.  Please keep us posted. {{{{hugs}}}}

      

  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited May 2012

    I am sorry you are going through this. I can understand your fear. Can you ask for antianxiety meds or something to help you sleep? 

    Sending prayers of strength as you go through this.

    Hugs

    Bevin

  • mari55
    mari55 Member Posts: 693
    edited May 2012

    It has been a couple of years since I was waiting for results- in my case it did confirm bone mets. It took me many months to come to grips with the diagnosis and to convince myself to get on with living and planning for the future.  I hope that in your case it is not in your bones.  But,to echo sandilee, if it is bone only mets, especially if it is limited, many women are living years.  One woman  Kathy Rich lived for 19 yrs after her diagnosis.  I work full time and my mets was pretty extensive ( spine, hips, sternum) but they have stayed in my bones only and treatment is doable.  Sending you lots of positive thoughts and prayers.

    Mari 

  • stellaratovsky
    stellaratovsky Member Posts: 618
    edited May 2012

    Thank you all for all your kind words going for the Pet Scan on thursday will keep my fingers crossed that everthing is ok.  I really do appreciate everything everyone said.  It is so hard when you have no one to talk to about this.  I handle breast cancer in 2009 like a trooper did everything as doctors said and to go through all the testing again is scary especially when you have small kids and you dont know how to act in front of them.  Spoke to my onc. today he said not to worry until the pet scan comes in.  He looked at the bone scan and said its nothing to worry about at this time even though it did show some stuff but it was not confirmed it only showed as suspicoius.  I hope he is right and everything is ok.  I will keep you all posted.

  • barsco1963
    barsco1963 Member Posts: 2,119
    edited May 2012

    stellaratovsky - Wishing you all the best for good results - echoing the others in hoping that it is something other than mets.

    Keep us posted!

  • stellaratovsky
    stellaratovsky Member Posts: 618
    edited May 2012

    Thank you all for all the support.  The waiting process is the killer.  I looked at the bone scan again and again while my onc. said not to jump through hoops and he did not seem to scared he looked at the bone scan too.  Maybe I am just reading stuff that I have no clue what I am looking at but what its saying is the it is suspicious/compatible for metastic disease but it was not confirmed on the bone scan.  I think they raise all the flags since I am a breast cancer survivor.  What else could it possible be.  I know the pain in my back is so much better after I pop 2 advils and it is not consisting pain I could have it for a week than not have it for 2 weeks.  Its just weird

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