I plugged in about a month ago with my story. I'm not sure where I left off, but a lot has transpired since then. I reported that I thought I had a rotator cuff injury that I inquired about in November. Fast forward after an MRI, in January revealed that a tumor was in the humerus which caused the bone to break as it was growing near the shoulder. I have seen an orthopedic oncologist at a University hospital. My oncologist at another facility, who has started me on Zometa concurrent with radiation treatments. In the meantime the PET scan revealed in addition to the humerus, the cancer has also found the forth rib to invade. As radiation continues, I have to drive an hour each way to get treatment. My husband and I share every other day. I was very exhausted after last week but just this week to go. I am sure I will survive.
For those of you who have just joined, I started this journey in January 2001 with breast cancer, when they found a tumor between my the first and second lobes of my right lung. I had a lobectomy. I had thirteen years of cancer free living until 2014, when an x-ray revealed a spot on the remaining lobe I had left on the right side. I was treated with cyber-knife radiology. It worked. But I am wondering if one of those cells escaped at that time. Right now it is wait and see.
I hope this excuses my absence from updating you.
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Aire
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I feel confident that you are educated about treating the bone mets but also realize how exhausting all of this can be. I too treated my lung tumors locally (as well as systemically) with a wedge resection first in 2007 and then a year later with radio frequency ablation in 2008. Let us know how you are doing. I'm sending you good vibes.
Thank you so much Joan. It is exhausting. I am sorry but I am not familiar with a wedge resection and radio frequency ablation. Can you fill me in on that. I am interested in finding out about.
Dear Aire, all of this can be exhausting. It really helps to make use of the friends who've said, "Let me know if there's anything I can do to help you."
The trouble for me was I couldn't remember who offered to help. So I sent a mass email to 33 friends that I was sure had offered, missing some others. I listed all the dates of appointments, even those in town that leave me too sleepy to drive home safely. Within 12 hours all the spots were filled to overflowing and people were thanking me for putting it out there. I even listed.how I would lovefor someone to come and read scripture -- this was in January when I was fatigued beyond fatigue. And as a few said, this is hard on my husband, so give him a break by asking others.
Hi Susan, I never thought of this. What a great idea. I only have one week left so we can manage this. But I will tuck this in into my things I need to remember.
Thank you so much. I hope you are doing well,. My prayers are with you.
Hi! It's great that you had that long cancer free interval! And Zometa, and the other bone drugs, have been real game changers for those of us with bone mets. They help heal up the cancer spots as well as strengthening our bones. We should take calcium and Vit D when we are on meds like that, from what I've been told. I've got bone mets only and was diagnosed in March 2004, stage IV from initial diagnosis. Some of us do really well for a long time. Life with cancer and cancer treatment is alot different that life without, but it sure beats the alternative. I'm glad you have access to resources like the ortho-onc! Hang in there and know alot of us certainly understand how rough all this is.
Thank you so much PJBinMI, Are you in MI? Yes I am blessed that I had my long interval. I thank God every day for that blessing. I have been taking Vit. D and calcium at this point. Yes, life is very different with cancer and cancer treatment but I feel blessed that I am able to continue. Thank you PJB for all of your encouragement and positive understanding. I hope your treatments are going well and your are feeling well.
Yes, I'm in MIchigan. SW corner, closer to Chicago than Detroit. I was treated at WMCC but my onc cut her hours to half time and now is only seeing people at a small town hospital so I drive there to see her. I worry more about her retiring than about cancer progression! lol She is my security blanket!
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Newly Dx. Bone Mets 
A bit of a set back
