Lost in Space - waiting for a Liver Biopsy

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited November 2016

    Geez, Sarah - I'm so sorry. I know that you were pretty much prepared for this but still, it's the pits. I'm glad that it is ER+ rather than otherwise and I hope that Arimidex does very, very well by you - in all respects. Sending support from one West Coast sister to another, now and whenever you may need it, Sarah.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited November 2016

    How was the biopsy experience by way? I don't remember seeing a post on your experience.

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  • Scwilly
    Scwilly Member Posts: 489
    edited November 2016

    Thanks all for your support and tips, much appreciated . This ER+ thing is so foreign to me.

    The biopsy was actually a breeze in the park, compared to how I thought it would go. I had no pain, and I was meant to be in sedation, but I didn't feeel it. I actuallly felt I rattled on with the staff too much, and they probably wished I would shut up! Lol After, in the recovery room, I had to lie firmly on my right side for around 2 hours. This was the most painful part. I had been avoiding that side, because of the pain below my ribs, and the incision part did become a bit sore. Afterwards I was feeling bruised for a few days, though got no actual bruising, and quite sore. No long term effects.


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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited November 2016

    Glad to hear it wasn't as bad as I had imagined it. I had an angiogram years ago and they put a weight and a vice as well as a nurse standing over you for an hour. That femoral artery can go quick!

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited November 2016

    I am so sorry to hear the results were BC. Stupid cancer. I hate it! I am glad that you can start with antihormonals. Hoping it knocks it back for a long, long, time!

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  • alcb70
    alcb70 Member Posts: 166
    edited November 2016

    I'm always sad to hear about additional diagnoses...I'm so sorry. The post caught my eye because my liver functions are slightly elevated, and after seeing my onc today (for my 6 mo fu), I guess she didn't like my answers to her questions....I have a Ct scheduled. It was for Tues, but I have to do it next Sat bc of work. They took my LFTs again... I'll feel better if my labs are normal or improved tomorrow. My upper abdomen is distended (although I'm overweight), and I have some rib/upper right quadrant discomfort.


    I try really hard not to panic, and not be "that" nurse who diagnoses themselves....but Im also embarrassed I missed my breast tumor until it was >4cm (and vow not to let that happen again). How do you guys handle telling your spouse/family about scares like this. I don't want to make them ride the roller coaster with me but they're always mad when I tell them (after the fact). I feel bad that this is my life, I don't want it to betheirs too.


    Scwilly- have you had any other symptoms? I hope your pain is better! How elevated was your LFTs (if it's ok to ask)? I'm very nervous. It's going to be a long week.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited November 2016

    alcb I kept my grown kids in the loop but when I did become stage 4 my 35 year old son said he didn't know how to feel. I think he was just tired of me having so any health issues (pacemaker and lots of surgeries). He still doesn't get it. My daughter at 33 is just slightly more compassionate. I never told them about CT'S and MRIs and other tests but I was matter of fact about results. Good luck and keep us posted.

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  • Scwilly
    Scwilly Member Posts: 489
    edited November 2016

    ALCB:only saw this late, so I'll do a quick reply, and send you my full indicator results by PM tomorrow. They were raised,but not hugely, and a couple went down when I had ano blood test 2 weeks after the ones in ER. My symptoms were a severe pain just below my right rib, which came on within an hour. I had been to the gym in the morning with no sign of pain. My stomach is not extended, and is actually still flat from my diep op. I have been feeling quite well, but actually now do get quite tired and a bit breathless. I put the later down to my holding back on breathing deeply as it can catch and hurt if I take a big breath.

    I am so sorry you have this scare. The best is to get it looked at. So you can ease your fears or get tx if necessary. Is the CT scan being done with contrast? My first one in ER wasn't, it showed a shadow, but no detail. So I needed another one. The second one with contrast showed the mass in my liver, and the couple of spots near it.

    I am thinking of you and am in your pocket for the next weeks or so whilst you get your results. Wishing for something benign. A friend of mine had ano friend with similar symptoms and it turned out to be a liver cyst. There is always hope and I wish a lesser DX than me for you.

    As to telling friends and relatives. My boys, 18 & 20, have always wanted to know everything so I have updated them as I went through the last few weeks. I do try not to be too doom and gloom, but it is important they get the whole truth from me. I, and they, feel it's worse feeling there is something not said. I have kept my Mum and Dad and sister, in the U.K., fully informed over Skype. My brothers and my husbands brothers and all wives/husbands now know too, along with a few close friends. I do feel this DX is harder to explain - as people always want hope, and it's hard to talk about stage 4 being a lifelong thing. I also don't want people to try to give me advice and recommendations, as I do feel I know more about it than most and I don't want to discuss it too widely. I have some lovely friends who have rallied round helping me with my pups (two sweet 2.5 year old border collies), errands, lifts, food etc.

    I also today joined a local stage 4 breast cancer support group. Not been yet and I'm not sure it's for me, but I think it's worth a try.

    Will be thinking of you.

    Sarah

    Edited for typos

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  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited November 2016

    Hi Barbe..never know when we will run into each other

    I just wanted to add I have a liver MRI on Tuesday but I am feeling Okay about it . They are checking me for liver cancer vs. bc Mets . I lave been living with liver cirrhosis ever since my chemo and treatment fried my liver 15 years ago . I do have esophageal varices but no aceites. When I had my liver biopsy they told me that the liver itself has no nerves . The so the pain I was having was from the liver enlargement pushing out . Who knows . At 74 I am told I am too old for a transplant . of course that is if the liver has no cancer . So there really has been no treatment for that except of course no booze .


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  • damazon
    damazon Member Posts: 66
    edited November 2016

    Keep your hopes up Scilly! A scan requested after PMB showed a 2+cm tumour in my bladder. The first operation to do a TURBT found no tumour anywhere in my bladder. They scanned with TVUS and it showed a 16mm uterine wall thickness. Oh, oh, maybe that is where the tumour was so let's do a hysterscopy and D & C.. All came back negative but no endometrial tissue to biopsy. Oncologist did however discontinue tamoxifen after 4.5 yrs and after a 6 week break placed me on anastrozole. Hated it. Every side effect within four weeks, tolerable, but unlikeable, so I stopped. Perhaps because I was about to have an exchange operation for a unilateral tissue expander placed last November and it was all too much for me. The TE was too high, and too small, on my past radiated mastectomy side. Let's just get it over with but much to my surprise, the exchange, and lift on other side, is looking good. Albeit very swollen on implant Mentor gummy side. Still, glad to be off those AI's. And happy to be able to change clothes (with bra on) with other women without being noticed. And those AI side effects in my mind are real effects. I will take them in the future if and when the cancer returns. Will never take them to lower the probability of return.

    But back to the original topic. Testing for a new cancer. Well it seems that the oncologist(s) do not want to take a wait and see approach. I am now scheduled next week for another d and c and hysterscopy but am told if they do not find any endometrial tissue and bad cells I am good to go. Worried but happy to end this roller coaster ride.

    I want to get back to the gym, lose weight to take me from 24 to 21 BMI and live my life. I am calling cancer's bluff and if I do have endometrial cancer (caused or promoted by tamoxifen) I will go down (sadly) but living my life to the fullest.

    Just saying ...

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited November 2016

    Lisa, you are added to my prayers! Please keep us posted here so we can be there for you. I can't get MRI's due to my pacemaker. One specialist hospital insisted they could but my onco said no way would he put me through an MRI with a pacemaker - mine is older and non-MRI compliant. So I'm not getting a clearer picture, just another CT in February. Now I have to go through another holiday season with that sword hanging over my head!

    Hugs to us all.

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  • alcb70
    alcb70 Member Posts: 166
    edited November 2016

    thanks so much for the information scwilly! You're so sweet to help me, with your diagnosis being SO recent. It helps to know what you've been through. I'm still waiting on my repeat labs. I feel like everything is probably ok....but want to stay on top of things. The only time my LFTs have been out of range was when I first started chemo.

    I told my husband about the ct, but will hold off on telling my daughter. She's a nurse, and she and her husband are trying to get pregnant...I don't want to worry her. It's bad enough we have these ups and downs...I don't want to drag my family with me. They definitely understand " stage 4", and I want it to be off their mind as much as possible. :(

    I'm sorry you've had so much pain. Mine is more discomfort. I feel it if I sit or lean on my right upper quadrant, it smarts/ aches. I've had some rib pain on the lower ribs also. I feel like I want to eat, but after a few bites, my stomach is tight/bloated and the right side is uncomfortable. Headaches as well. So many things can be explained....I hope its just fat!

    Best wishes to you scwilly...you're amazing to be so calm! Please keep us updated as you can!

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  • TLB140
    TLB140 Member Posts: 8
    edited November 2016

    I read all the replies and comments. We are amazing women. I do have a question and i want a million Replies! After chemo and radiation my flat stomach grew. I look pregnant. Did my belly protrude because my liver was diseased back then? I have to wait until December 20th for my biopsy. Waiting is so cruel.

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited November 2016

    Alcb - to address your question of when/what do you tell people. I tell my husband as close to the time of the procedure as possible in order to minimize his worry time. If the results aren't good I wait until he's home at the end of the day so that we have some time to talk. If it's good news I let him know a.s.a.p. If inconclusive I tell him when we can talk. We don't have children so no issues there. Siblings are informed soon but not immediately. My step-mother always asks and truly wants to know, so I keep her pretty closely in the loop. Friends rarely, except maybe those with cancer. My manager is in the loop if there's anything that means I'll need time off or some additional help.This works for me and for our family dynamics. Your results may differ ;) I hope all your test results are good!

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  • librarychick64
    librarychick64 Member Posts: 14
    edited November 2016

    Scwilly, so sorry to hear it's breast cancer again. I admire your attitude so much. I had my PET scan today and had to take a Xanax because I was so nervous. But at least it made me fall asleep!

    As for telling people about scans and such, I have found that my husband and a couple other people don't seem to understand why I'm so worried. "They'll find it early and get rid of it" is the prevailing attitude. I've tried to explain that this is REALLY SERIOUS,but people don't seem to get it. Makes me feel all alone in this. Except when I read here what others are going through. Then I don't feel like a hysterical woman anymore!


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  • Scwilly
    Scwilly Member Posts: 489
    edited November 2016

    Just had some good news to share. I had a bone scan yesterday, and the results taday is that its negative. One less thing to worry about.

    I wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving.Despite my recent Liver biopsy result I feel I have lots to be thankful for. I also feel very thankful for all the support I have been given from everyone on this site.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited November 2016

    Glad to hear the bone scan was negative. Hoping you have a plan in place soon

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  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited November 2016

    just had a liver MRI this afternoon . Results on 5 days

    Glad to hear of your good bone scan😊

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  • Scwilly
    Scwilly Member Posts: 489
    edited November 2016

    Wishing you a benign result from your Liver biopsy SoCalLisa. Waiting for results isnt fun. Happy Thanksgiving to you.


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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited November 2016

    Sarah, I'm glad you got some good news this week. Thank you for sharing it with us.

    SoCalLisa, I hope your results are benign, too. Crossing my fingers for you - and that you actually get the news sooner. I wish both of you an easy and enjoyableThanksgiving.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2016

    Scwilly, sorry for the positive result but I'm glad you get to try hormone therapy. How are you feeling now?

    How's everyone else doing? Librarychick? Lisa? albc?

    I'm still in space. Since I just started Tykerb for the brain mets and it can treat the liver as well, my onc isn't inclined to chase after the suspicious area and wants to recscan after 6-8 weeks on Tykerb. This happened the week I was traveling to the funeral of my young cousin (26) who had hung himself after a long fight with depression so I didn't push for more follow-up...just couldn't handle it. Of course, I'm super paranoid that I'm feeling liver symptoms now. And that makes me constantly poke my RUQ so I don't know if any twinges are a) my liver b) the result of poking there all the time c) my imagination...

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