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helen_anne's avatar
helen_anne
Member
13 years ago

Things are getting interesting.....

Hi there

Hoping this blog finds you all well.  I thought I'd update from my previous post regarding this ongoing saga of the right breast pain.

I went to see the oncologist on Thursday (23rd) and she thinks the pain isn't actually in the breast tissue but rather the ribs underneath.  When she pressed in on the area, I nearly shot through the roof with the pain.

Now I have to have a bone scan on Monday to see if I have secondaries. 

I'm not sure what to think at the moment but I know I'm really over all this!  But the pain can't be ignored and I needed to do something quick smart about it.  It's probably nothing but its best to get it checked I suppose.

Actually Thursday was a hell of day anyway as I had to take my 83 yr old father to a hospital for a day procedure, see 2 doctors at my hospital re the cancer, go back and get dad, cook tea for mum and dad, then cook tea for me and hubby and then finally I could sit down! I was pretty exhausted after all that!

Glad to say Dad is doing ok - he had to have a carpel tunnel op - although he was a bit tired and sore after it all.  Poor Dad was a very active person until a couple of years ago when he got severe gout in both hands (strange since he doesn't even drink) and injured his wrist as well...we're hoping the op with help with some mobility to he could possibly return to lawn bowls..I know he'd love that.

So life has sent me some more challenges this week....look after my parents and think positively about this Bone Scan.

I've decided if it is secondaries then I'm going to tackle this headon - like I did when I was first diagnosed.....one thing is for sure - this (cancer) is NEVER going to beat me that's for sure!

5 Replies

  • Herb_lady's avatar
    Herb_lady
    Member
    13 years ago
    Hi Helen I am a new member but thought I would share my experience as at times I also get very sore ribs. I do have bone mets but not in the rib area. I have osteopenia (post chemo)and find 4 weekly infusions of Zometa settle any discomfort. I was breaking ribs regularly before having the zometa which was at times very painful but that has also settled. So dont think the worst. Stay strong. Jen
  • Mich_x's avatar
    Mich_x
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi H :-)

    Yes it is funny how us Aussies have so much fun with messing with peoples names.  My hubby works on a site and every single person has a nickname or their name changed in some way.  His name is Steve but everyone knows him as Scooter and very few people know his real name, even the people in Admin, so good for a laugh.  Us Aussies are funny people some times, think it just makes us more friendly by giving people pet names hee hee.

    Your friend Mich must be a pretty nice person with a name the same as mine hahahaha just joking

    I not sure whether it is a good or bad thing you  not being able to have rads.  How do you feel about it.  It is unbelievable how we have all these other lil conditions that affect treatments or you have to have this med to counteract another med.  Life is never that simple is it??

    I will be keeping everything crossed and sending positive vibes your way.

    Take care

    Mich xoxo

  • helen_anne's avatar
    helen_anne
    Member
    13 years ago

    Thanks for your reply....I couldn't have radiotherapy as I have a rare skin condition which means that the R/T would burrn me to a crisp no matter how low a dose they give me.  You may or may not of heard of it - it's commonly referred to as "EB" or "Cotton Wool Sydrome".  Means basically I have extremely fragile skin.

    I was aware of the rib thing with R/T as funnily enough I use to work for Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute in the Radiotherapy Department!!  I booked all the patients in for their therapy and was the happy, cheery face in reception which the patients always chatted to. 

    As I type this I've had the needle this morning (with the Radioactive stuff in it) but as usual - they couldn't get the needle into my veins so they had to get a Doctor!  I just sat there laughing remembering all the times I've had this happen until I finally got a Port put in....from then on it was a breeze.

    Anyway I'll go through the scan shortly - 12.30 pm and see what happens from there. 

    By the way I have a friend called Michelle that I call Mich as well!  I'm called Helen but I'm always referred to as "H"!

    Don't you just luv the way us Aussies shorten everything!  LOL!

    Thanks for your thoughts and I'll keep you posted.

    cheers for now

    H