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helen_anne's avatar
14 years ago

Update on Things are getting interesting

Hi to everyone

Thanks for stopping by. 

What a day...very anxious, couldn't focus - you know the drill.  I rang the hospital to see if my results had come through only to be told (incredibly!) that the oncologist that ordered it had left!  I only saw her on Thursday....jeez...that's the public system for you!  So then I had to try and find someone who would tell me the results over the phone...and that took some doing I can tell you!

Never mind the fact that I'm just about turning inside out from anxiety.

I have to say though this is the very first time I've ever felt like a "number in the system"....after all this time........so I suppose I shouldn't complain.

So finally I got put through to some registrar in Oncology who then said it wasn't reported on yet....more waiting!  ARRRRRGHGHGH!!!

Now I was REALLY over it!

Finally got a phone call late this afternoon and I'm very relieved to say that my results have come from the Bone Scan and there seems to be no cancer in the bones.  Thank God.

Still it poses the question...why am I still having this pain...even when I take a big breath now...

I am wondering if I have osteopenia as was suggested to me in an earlier comment? 

Does anyone know if Bone Scans show that sort of thing up?

Thanks to everyone for all your positive thoughts...it must have worked! 

Now I've just got to get through the colonscopy and gastrophy (>?) next week.....ah well!

Would be interested to hear if anyone knows if Bone Scans show up something like Osteopenia?

Thanks everyone and luv to you all

6 Replies

  • Hi again Helen

    All the best for Tuesday, I know what you are saying, when will it ever get better, all we need is the results to be good.  I don't see anyone until Decdember, after scans end of November.  Will be thinking of you.

    Regards Sondra

  • Unbelievable!  I'm glad that the rib and spine hasn't changed but I don't think it's very satisfactory when you get a remark "maybe it isn't bone cancer"...God !

    My Bone Density definitely showed up osteopenia in my neck and spine which accounts for all the pain I've been having.  My Bone Scan fortunately didn't show up any tumours, although now I'm off to the Dr on Tuesday to a get lump on my head checked out :(  It's suddenly grown a lot and is worrying me....

    Will this ever end?

    Thanks for your post Sondra.

    cheers for now

    Helen

  • Hi Helen

    Jusr reading up on your past history, I have had bone scans done when left breast came off and they found a spot on spine and right rib.  My breast surgeon confirmed that it was cancer, my oncologist for radiation said she wouldn't go that way, when I met my oncologist for the first treatment of my chemo he said that bone scans are hard to read and that he wouldn't go either way but we would go ahead and treat it as bone cancer, that is why I am on Zometa and the hormonal treatment of Famera.  When I went back to see my Breast Surgeon end of August this year, she was happy with me that nothing has changed, no cancer through the body organs and the spots on spine and rib havn't changed.  The next comment was maybe it isn't bone cancer!!  Do you have a four sided coin that I can flip it and get a result.  I have bone scans every three months and see my oncologist that is treating me  here to keep a eye on things.  Regards Sondra 

  • Thanks Michelle..I'll see if I can organise a referral and get one done - it might solve the mystery of why I'm having this pain.

    cheers

    Helen

  • A Bone Densitometry (taken over the hip) was how my osteopaenia was diagnosed. It prints out a graph of where you are bone-density-wise (red, yellow or green.) I don't know if a bone scan does this - I think it scans for tumours.  Since turning 50 my doctor orders a Densitometry regularly to check if prescription calcium supplements are necessary. You might need a referral from your GP, as only some radio centres do them.  Hope this helps.  Michelle

  • A Bone Densitometry (taken over the hip) was how my osteopaenia was diagnosed. It prints out a graph of where you are bone-density-wise (red, yellow or green.) I don't know if a bone scan does this - I think it scans for tumours.  Since turning 50 my doctor orders a Densitometry regularly to check if prescription calcium supplements are necessary. You might need a referral from your GP, as only some radio centres do them.  Hope this helps.  Michelle