Hi all
It’s been good hearing some positive stories and comments. I had lobular BC in 2017 stage 2. Mastectomy, sentinel node removal, radiotherapy. Endured it all pretty well and recovered. In Oct last year I suddenly had pain in my lower back,pelvis and groin and GP said it sounded like sciatica. I continued on pregabalin and tramadol for the pain and was eventually referred to orthopaedics. Consultant said it sounded like femoral nerve damage as by now my entire right leg was numb. He thought an MRI was a good idea but due to NHS waiting lists didn’t know how long this would take so we went private. Had MRI on 6 may and on 9 may consultant phoned me and said sorry there’s no easy way to say this but you have cancer in your spine. I was stunned but also don’t understand why I didnt think it could be that much sooner. Anyway almost 3 months on and I’m trying to be positive. I’m on abemaciclib tabs daily, fulvestrant injections monthly and bone strengthening Jag every 3 months. I had one week rads and steroids for 6 weeks. I’m now pain free. Tumor was in between two discs and pressing on a nerve so produced symptoms like sciatica. I had to have a colonoscopy done due to something that showed up in the CT scan. Biopsies done but not had any results. Same with bone scan. I’m scared to ask tbh and assuming no news is good news. Sorry for the long story. My heart goes out to everyone! 
Hi Jackie
How has your week been ? Hope you’ve been sleeping better but it is getting quite hot so can be difficult !
I am planning on going back to work soon( as my treatment is more stable) but with reduced hours. Don’t think I’d cope with full time as I get so tired. I’m a therapist in a school working with young people and also see adults in a different setting.
Sending warmest wishes to you and everyone on this forum going through this 
Hattie 
Thinking of you Sandra, you’ve been through so much. Hope you get sone positive news soon x
Hattie1 thank you for you kind reply it means a lot. Wish you well with getting back to work. Xx
Hi Hattie,
Bless you for asking. Its been an ok week so far. I have been prescribed sleeping tablets that I take Thurs to Sat so I can catch up on my sleep, hope your week has been good?
I too cut my work hours I get tired in the afternoons. I take each day at a time now and just see how I feel. I am self employed but I still need to show up 
.
Stay in touch and keep me updated please.
Sending hugs
Xx Jackie
how old were you when first diagnosed in 1996? It seems very unfair to me that you could go so long without cancer and then get it back as secondaries. That’s my problem though - imagining thst you get brownie points for good behaviour. Cancer is a biological process and is not determined by good or bad behaviour. It is relentless or not purely due to the chemical processes it set up in the body. The chemists and doctors want to disrupt these. It’s all hit and miss. I still want certainty. I have been diagnosed twice with primary cancer in the same breast once age 48 and then age 67. So far I don’t have secondaries but I am taking letrozole and have Zoledronic acid infusions every six months so the treatment seems similar to what I would have if I had a secondary diagnosis.
Seagulls
Hi, to answer your question I was 44.
I’ve joined a local group run by this organisation and we meet every month in Norwich for secondary cancer. I’ve learnt a lot by talking to others. I prefer face to face meetings rather than zooming.
After my operation in November 1996 I went to a keep fit/ coffee breast cancer group in a large hall near the old hospital four weeks later and before Xmas. The reason was the oncologist was going to delay my treatment if I couldn’t lift my arm up…so that did it! The very large group was amazingly supportive and naturally I took it easy at first and did what I could exercise wise. I was one of the youngest attending, however, the older ladies were truely inspirational.
I also went and joined a badminton group for cancer patients and the lady who ran it was fanastic. I’d never played before and they were all so good and gave me lots of advice on moves/ hitting etc. From that I joined aqua aerobics. I’m not a sporty person…far from it…and no Slim Jim (ha ha) …but to ensure I got through those first few months I was extremely proactive.
I hope you find supportive activities to attend. I personally find them helpful. It doesn’t need to be run by any cancer charity. My local Knit & Natter group are knitting ‘Worry Worms’ to donate to children with cancer or parents with cancer who have young children.
All helps to keep us postive which I appreciate isn’t always easy especially as one approaches yet another CT regular check scan.
Take care. x
I joined a gym and swam, had a go at yoga and aqua aerobics and did a programme in the gym designed to build up my muscle strength. then i finished this, felt fitter and stopped going to the gym as the charges werectoo high if you didn’t go and it’s about a twenty minute drive to get there. i now do weight lifting and exercise by doing a lot more gardening. i feel fitter but hungrier.
I need to visit my mother and getvrid of an awful rash i now have on my midriff. i had some dry skin there and started scratching it as it was itchy. it looks terrible now. and the itching is worse.
seagulls
Hi Seagulls. My oncologist stopped me going to swimming in a pool when I was first diagnosed 8 months ago with secondaries as I was on targetted drugs. I no longer take these drugs as I became too ill on them. I have very recently been given clearance to rejoin pilates and go swimming.
I’d always ask advice about which exercises as we are all so different in our cancer diagnoses. I cancelled my gym membership in December , as you mentioned it’s expensive, as my consultant was concerned about infection risk at that time / stage of my treatment. Again we all vary in our needs and capabilites.
Currently I’m not allowed weights or a running machine…not that I’m particularly keen on either! ( Ha Ha)
I’m not going swimming in a public pool in the hols and have selected a small pilates class not a big gym. I’m very unfit due to not exercising these last few months but I had a gallbladder removal 6 weeks ago and currently attending a phsyio as a consultant may need to do a shoulder op … neither of these things related to cancer!
Walking, I’ve been informed is good but I only stroll in good weather. Off to walk/ stroll round a local big park today. So long as I just get coffee in the cafe at the end and keep to my willpower by avoiding the delicious looking cakes then the walk may be beneficial! Ha Ha
I’ll just add I’m a lifelong (childhood!) eczema sufferer …with your rash may I suggest you consult your Dr. as I find no one cream fits all situations. Over the years I’ve had several emoillents to wash with, antihistamines and creams and keep to one make of washing powder. I do hope you find a quick solution as sounds very uncomfortable in this hot weather.
Take care. X
thanks rusti I am being driven mad by the desire to scratch!
Seagulls
Hi all
Finally got colonoscopy results and it was good news. Benign polyp removed and area of concern in CT scan, biopsy was also clear. This was inflammation due to painkillers causing constipation. So huge relief. I had to ask my breast nurse for these results and also bone scan results. These upset me a bit as showed a few different areas including the skull. I felt like I needed some more information and reassurance. Yesterday I spoke to an oncologist and she reassured me that the skull is the area to least worry about as the bond is very thick…and it doesn’t mean it will spread to the brain because it’s in the head. I must admit this was a slight worry for me. She explained what cancer in the bones looked like as opposed to healthy bones. She also explained what the different medications do to help including denosumab…which is the bone treatment I get every 3 months. I left the appointment feeling reassured so was glad that I had agreed to the consultation. Definitely worth asking for if anyone is worried about their treatment or their diagnosis. Xx
Hello I am awaiting results of a bone scan to check an area picked up by CT scan on my lumber spine with “ changes which indicate cancer “ . Like you the thought of there being areas in my skull scares me but your post is reassuring. Thank you.can I ask, did you need a bone biopsy or did you receive diagnosis via a bone scan only ? I have pain in my lumber spine and forearms . I was diagnosed Aug 23 , I’m still having primary BC treatment. Hadn’t expected to be in this position so soon. I hope your treatments go well, sending you my very best wishes
Hi Grace
Sorry to hear you are going through such a worrying time. My diagnosis in may was secondary breast cancer spread to the bones. A small tumor between the discs in my lower back was shown up by an MRI scan. I had 5 days of radiotherapy, a bone scan and a CT scan. My treatment is targeted hormone therapy. I hope you don’t have to wait too long for results…please let me know how you get on? Xx Sandra
I had to send a photo of my rash to my gp and was diagnosed with folliculitis and given a bottle of cream which you can water down or use neat to plaster on the rash. Apparently it is highly inflammable so I expect to burst into flames at any minute.
I am also taking antibiotics daily for one month too. These I have to take with lots of water and stay upright for half an hour after each one as otherwise they give you heartburn.
I find it quite difficult to stay upright for long as I am always picking things off the floor or feeding the dog or picking up dog poo.
Sufficient moaning for now
seagulls
Hi, I’m pleased your Dr found a solution.
I always find it amusing when people tell me that their skin care creams or wash stuff is highly infammable…it’s like that for several skin care sufferers .As a kid with eczema I had to be careful of going too near bonfires! Don’t worry , I never burst into flames! Ha ha. My childhood eczema followed me into my retirement…you’d think they’d call it something different by now! I can’t think what though! HA Ha
Seriously, I hope it means you are on the road to recovery.
My friends and I were talking just yesterday about the tar baths and coverings we used to wear for skin complaints. Luckily, I liked the tar smell but others didn’t . Think, it is a bit like the love/hate Marmite relationship and the same colour!
Take care. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Thanks Sandra. I hope you are doing well on your treatment . The wait for the bone scan results is difficult . Not helped by having a breast infection. I feel pretty unwell today . MN has advised if no better after antibiotics the surgeon will see me !! I’ve had constant nausea for months plus weight loss which concerns me.