Hi I'm new here...

[Magz52]

I was treated for breast cancer in 1992. I was in good health, as far as I knew, until in 2008 I started with a pain in my left thigh. When the pain was still there after 6 months, I visited my GP surgery & was seen by a locum GP who had no clue what it could be & said perhaps I should go back if it was still there in a months time! Six months later I started with a pain in my back between my shoulder blades. I made several visits to my (then) GP spanning 10 months, before I could convince her to refer me to an Orthapaedic consultant. He immediately arranged for a scan. The day after the scan the hospital called me at work to ask me to go in the next day. My husband came with me & we sensed it wasn't good news but even then neither of us suspected cancer. That seems ridiculous now! Anyway, we were told I had cancer in my spine, pelvis, hips & left femur. I have had some radiotherapy to my spine, I am on a cocktail of pain relief/muscle relaxants three times a day & a Denosumab injection every 4 weeks. Unfortunately I am now struggling to walk and I can no longer stand upright. I would like to discuss this further if anyone has any advice,comments or questions.

[RobinR]

I have mbc that spread to the bones. I have it in both hips, spine, ribs, tailbone and skull. My femur did break in August of last year and I had a partial hip replacement and also radiation on the hip and femur. This is also how I found out about the cancer as I thought it was a pulled muscle that would work itself out. I've now developed lymphedema in my leg and am being treated for that. My surgeon did say that if I start having symptoms in my other hip or elsewhere they can do surgery to stabilize it before something breaks so I don't have to go through the pain of an actual break. Are you a candidate for any surgical intervention? If it hasn't been mentioned to you yet you may want to ask if it would help stabilize you and lessen your pain. I don't have a lot of pain and am able to walk with a quad cane and hope to be free of the cane in a few months. I am located in Ohio, USA.

[Tera987]

Good gravy with your previous cancer the GP never mentioned to get a scan?

[Kats3]

Hi Magz52,

I have bone mets too. You were very fortunate to have had 16 years with no cancer symptoms! I'm learning now that microscopic cells can remain in the body and eventually find their way to different sites, in your case your bones.

Do you think physical therapy would help you? I'd ask my Oncologist about that. For myself, I can relate to the NOT being able to stand upright. I think our back muscles get weak if we don't use them. I' m trying to walk a little more in order to strengthen my back. I do find myself sitting and resting a lot more which really isn't the best thing.

It's a battle! Try to do as much as you can to straighten up your back. But ask your doctor first if he approves of this. Physical therapy just might be the thing to get you started. We need to ask for help more, myself included! Do take care...Kats3

[Snaomi]

@Magz52 so sorry to hear that you are going through this. This is a great site with a lot of insight from many different people. I hope you find some answers to any questions you might have. Stay strong and I'll pray for you. Sending hugs and good thoughts your way.

[Nancyjw]

Dear Magz52, there is so much similarities in our stories! In 2010 I was treated for breast cancer. Past the 5 year mark with no problems. Then I had two bouts of sciatica and weak thigh muscle (right side) I went to doctor to doctor, test after test X-ray, MRI, still limping. It never entered my mind that cancer could come back ! On my regular follow up appt with my oncologist I told him what had been happening in the past months and he sent me for a pet scan. DX: cancer was back in several places. But the first step was for me to get a rod placed in my femur, the bone had been deteriorating and he wanted to avoid the bone breaking. I am now in remission and walking without a cane. There's always hope no matter what the day may bring. Wish you many days of good news Stay strong