Bone scan showed small uptake in lower lumbar region.

Options
Cjs47
Cjs47 Member Posts: 61
edited January 2016 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I was diagnosed with IDCS in November of 2014. I had 4 AC and 12 taxol plus herceptin and perjeta. Double mastectomy at end of June, as well as, 21 lymph nodes removed all clear. I had 6 1/2 weeks of radiation ending at end od September. I have two more herceptin treatments to go. Pushed for bone scan due to upper back pain. No spots in upper back but a small spot on lower lumbar spine. Having MRI to see what spot is. Has anyone else experIenced this? Any feedback is greatly appreciated

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Lauriesh
    Lauriesh Member Posts: 692
    edited January 2016
    Did they say from the bone scan report what they thought it was? I don't have bone mets, but I have had several bone scans over the years. I have an area in my lower back that lights up, but the report says consistent with degenerative disease.

    Laurie
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cjs47
    Cjs47 Member Posts: 61
    edited January 2016

    No the doctor doesn't know what it is. He just said bone scan showed small uptake and the MRI should show what it is. I'm terrified of the MRI! Can't take small spaces

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited January 2016

    I am claustrophobic too. I have them prescribe me Ativan.. works like a charm and the MRI doesn't bother me at all. Ask for meds, they will prescribe it and they work great. Good luck with your test.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BethL
    BethL Member Posts: 286
    edited January 2016

    I was told I had "small uptake" in my shoulders, consistent with degenerative disease. I think it's common the older we get. I hate MRIs, not claustrophobic but hate the loud noise. Make sure you get ear protection or music.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cjs47
    Cjs47 Member Posts: 61
    edited January 2016

    Thank you for your suggestions and good wishes. My onc didn't say my report indicated any degenerative disease so I'm terrified it's a bone met. I'll let you know. Fingers crossed

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited January 2016

    Keep us posted

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cjs47
    Cjs47 Member Posts: 61
    edited January 2016

    I received a copy of the bone scan yesterday and it said abnormal uptake in the t9 thoracic not lumbar like doc first stated, and it said worriesome for metastates. Still waiting for mri and crying non stop😢 My son graduates from college at the end of December, and I'm scared I won't be here for it

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited January 2016

    cjs - usually imaging reports will state the worst case scenario because they can't leave out the possibility.  MRI should clarify what is hopefully benign aging process for you, I also light up in the thoracic and lumbar at multiple locations, which are all bone spur and degenerative issues.  Crossing my fingers for you. Good luck!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cjs47
    Cjs47 Member Posts: 61
    edited January 2016

    Thank you for your reply. I'm trying to hope for the best. I'll follow up when I know more

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cjs47
    Cjs47 Member Posts: 61
    edited January 2016

    Hi all,

    I just found out my MRI is on Wednesday. Fingers crossed for no cancer. Thanks for listening.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited January 2016

    Keep us posted

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cjs47
    Cjs47 Member Posts: 61
    edited January 2016

    I'm really getting scared that I really do have bone mets after reading so much on what my bone scan could mean. I've been on herceptin since March and started tamoxifen at the end of September. Has anyone out there been diagnosed with bone mets while on those meds? My onc and all his nurses and nurse practitioner all say you don't get bone mets while on these meds, but I've read just the opposite!!!!! Just want someone who's been there to be straight with me. So tired of my medical team telling me what they "want" me to hear. It's taken me four months just to get the bone scan to just make sure I was stable after finishing radiation. Doctor kept telling me that I was cancer free after surgery so there was no reason for routine scans. Now I finally convince him and "bam" there is an abnormal uptake in the lower vertebrae with worriesome for metastates. Any advice would be great.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DivineMrsM
    DivineMrsM Member Posts: 9,620
    edited January 2016

    Cj, here's my advice. First, try very hard to not Google any more about scan results, ect. You are scaring yourself. Next, stay very busy doing things that will keep your mind off of the MRI. After all, it's not the MRI, it's wondering what the results will be that is upsetting you. Keep busy. Treat yourself with tender loving care. Spoil yourself. Get your hair done, take a bubble bath, or see a show or visit with someone who will lift your spirits, go shopping, whatever it is that makes you happy. Focus on those activities as much as you can.

    Stop projecting yourself so far into the future. You are catastrophizing something when you don't even know what's going on yet. Stay in the moment. Live today, then tomorrow, live that day. Take this one step at a time. Take antianxiety meds if you have them. If you do not, call your primary physician, explain why you are on the ledge (figuratively) and see if you can get a prescription for something to help you take the edge off.

    After all my tough talk, I want to say that what you're feeling is completely understandable. I know what you mean about the onc and his staff being all upbeat. But it's not their life, it's yours. You will be here for your son's college graduation and more. Take some deep breaths. Now, take some more. Best wishes and I hope all goes well.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cjs47
    Cjs47 Member Posts: 61
    edited January 2016

    Thankyou Divine for your tough talk☺️. I'm trying to stay busy but it's not easy for my mind to go to the worst after the last year. Thank you for your good wishes too. I think I'll try the retail therapy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited January 2016

    Cjs,

    Divine gave you some awesome advice. I just wanted to say that lots of these scans pick up things that aren't cancer. All three of my PET scans lit up on my femoral neck, but it turned out to be a false positive. Hope your MRI goes well!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cjs47
    Cjs47 Member Posts: 61
    edited January 2016

    Elaine,

    Thank you for your response. Hoping results are negative

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited January 2016

    CJ, any update? Hope all's ok.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited January 2016

    From cjs' post on the lung nodule thread, apparently her MRI was ok but she was scheduled for a PET scan yesterday due to the new problem. Hope she comes back here to confirm.

    Causes me to recall my situation a year ago however I had CT with a 6 month follow-up (to verify stability)...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cjs47
    Cjs47 Member Posts: 61
    edited January 2016

    Hi everyone. Here's my update: MRI showed some weird node formation. Doc said it was like a herniated disc that went in instead of out. The MRI also showed a 8.9 mm nodule on lung, breast cancer side. Had pet scan yesterday and doc called today to say nothing lit up so not cancer!! Follow up in a couple of months on both findings. Thanks for support and concern. Hugs to all

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited January 2016

    happy to hear that, celebrate tonight. xo

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cjs47
    Cjs47 Member Posts: 61
    edited January 2016

    Thanks Jenjenl! I think I'm going to catch up on sleep that I've missed for four weeks😴

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited January 2016

    Great news!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cjs47
    Cjs47 Member Posts: 61
    edited January 2016

    thanks kbee

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HappyHammer
    HappyHammer Member Posts: 1,247
    edited January 2016

    CJ- Yay for your good news! Hope you have had a chance to get some much needed rest after all that time of worry!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cjs47
    Cjs47 Member Posts: 61
    edited January 2016

    HappyHammer,

    Thank you and yes getting rest. Enjoying my life and good news. Trying not to think of rescans in a couple of months. Trying to live in the here and now. Plenty of time to worry later

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories