Shrinking??

[Itisfinished]

Hello mighty warriors!! Just wondering if anyone who has mets to spine has lost their height?? I had spinal surgery in August of 2020 due to a tumor that was crushing two of my vertebraes. My bones were to weak for rods so the dr basically removed the tumor and the crushed bones. I have to wear a brace to help keep my back straight. I am truly a miracle! I can walk now and I dont have to wear the brace as often as they said I would so I am forever grateful to God for his healing power. However I have slowly went from 5'3 to 5'0 ft. I just went to see my regular physician and she said I was measuring in at 5'0 ft. My children kept telling me I was shrinking but I didnt believe them...well they were right. Has anybody had a loss in height due to spine mets??

[Hazelgreen]

I think I lost 1.5 inches due to spinal compression, age and bone mets. My husband and I used to be the same height, but he is now 1 inch taller despite being 4 years older, turning 80 in the fall. I assume that the spinal compression/bone mets led to my increased loss of height.

In your case, it seems to me that your body may have had much to adjust to after losing two vertebrates! Perhaps, this is it, and you will not lose any further height.

[Itisfinished in reply to Hazelgreen]

Yes you are right they said I would have to wear a brace for the rest of my life due to not being able to withstand the rods in my back. However I have shocked the Drs and I can get around without that heavy clam shell of a brace. I wear a velcro ab belt for support when needed. Where I had my surgery is in the middle of my back and it's still hasnt healed up all the way which is since August of last year due to the brace and the location. I was suppose to have plastic surgery a few weeks back to cover it with muscle tissue to get it to heal but I got sick with a bad sore throat so I had to put off the surgery. But it seems to looking better so I may not need the surgery. 🙏 Hopefully not because then I will have to heal from that and ibrance can cause you not to heal as quick so they would have to take me off of it again and I have had to stop it several times already. Prayers always for all of us battling! Michelle

[RLN-overcomer in reply to Itisfinished]

Sister/warrior, and yesssssss Over-comer because it was finished your faith has made you whole. Praise will be in my mouth.👍😇👍😇

[SusieIM]

I am sure I am shorter than I was in the past; I have had tumors on my spine, compression fractures, had a small rod in my back a couple years ago. You are in company here. I am 66, I was looking at my 25 year old daughter standing next to me and I could see, yeah I am shorter.

[Itisfinished in reply to SusieIM]

Wow you have been through it. So they were able to put in a rod? Where do you have your bone mets?? Just to your spine?

[Red71]

You are not imagining things! I have lost about 3 inches due to spinal compression of two vertebrae and my back getting a slight curvature after radiation. I didn’t really notice it until my 6 feet 2 inch son gave me a hug, looked at me rather puzzled, and said, mom you were never short before this! It feels rather weird to be this much shorter but it is the least of my worries...it doesn’t hurt and it doesn’t cause problems! I just never thought I would shrink so much!

[Itisfinished in reply to Red71]

Thanks for letting me know I am not alone! You are right if it doesnt cause pain no need to stress! We got enough on our plates to worry about. Praying always for the amazing women in this group! Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

[SeattleMom]

Hello!

I most definitely have lost my height! Mets to spine and iliac diagnosed in November 2017. My twin sister has always been the exact same height as me; and she is now 2-3” taller.

My guess is that the spine gradually collapses and ribs weaken. I know this also occurs with aging but my midsection has expanded while my height has reduced. I’m guessing they go hand in hand? Ugh! Just another side effect!

God bless you!! 💗💗🙏🏻🙏🏻

Linda

[Itisfinished in reply to SeattleMom]

Your midsection too...I have always had a small waist and tummy but after my surgery my midsection has gotten so thick that I have rolls and I cant see past my belly lol!! It truly is frustrating because I have to wear big shirts and stretchy pants. I cant wear all my cute summer clothes that I use to wear. I tell you what when they say cancer is a ugly disease it truly is and it causes ugly side effects. I try and focus on the miracle and not the challenges but I am human and I am not use to these ugly side effects that have affected my looks. I look back on my pictures just a year ago the difference is night and day. My husband said I am vain and I am still beautiful but men dont understand. Not only do we have to fight and ugly disease we have to deal with the ugliness it brings to our bodies. Thanks for sharing! Praying for all of us! That God would extend each of our days and bring wholeness to our bodies!! Love in Christ,

Michelle

[SeattleMom in reply to Itisfinished]

Thank you, Michelle! Commiserating is great for the soul!! 💗💗🙏🏻🙏🏻

[Antares12]

I've lost a little of an inch from 5'5" to 5'3 3/4". All do to degeneration from arthritis and bone mets. I've not had any back injuries, but had to have a shot in my spine because the L-4 and 5 were crushing nerves.

[Itisfinished in reply to Antares12]

Thanks for your response. It's not good for any of us to be dealing with this horrible disease however its comforting to know we are not alone! 🤗

[Iwasborntodothis]

These discussions are so helpful I was just wondering why 2 pairs of pants are dragging on the floor now when they didn’t before. I’m short already so finding pants that aren’t too long is a challenge. Why can’t our weight and belly’s shrink.

You are all the best!

[Itisfinished in reply to Iwasborntodothis]

I know right! I need my belly to shrink 😫