Appointment with oncologist to discuss bone scan

[happynipple]

Hello, comrades,

Here I am again. Not that I hadn’t thought about posting before, but… here I am once more, completely freaking out. My hands are freezing and sweating at the same time, and my brain is busily imagining every possible worst-case scenario: me disappearing from the world without achieving my lifelong dream of attaining immortality on Earth.

I went for a follow-up appointment with my oncologist a few weeks ago and mentioned that I had experienced some pain in my ribs, on the same side as my original cancer and the recurrence. However, lately, I hadn’t been feeling anything at all.

She examined me and said that she couldn’t feel anything apart from the bone. However, because I was clearly extremely anxious, sitting petrified in the chair, she told me she would refer me for a bone scan.

Usually, I am the one pushing for tests, but at that moment, I immediately regretted having said anything and began pondering the metaphysical question of whether ignorance really is bliss.

I had the scan recently, but not before giving one of the finest performances of my career as a patient. It began with the most embarrassing and humiliating experience of my life: being weighed in public.

Admittedly, I have put on weight, although my figure, double mastectomy and all, remains as spectacular as ever.

I vehemently disputed the figure on the scales with the radiographer, who presumably thought I was completely mad. To be fair, he was right.

Then came the cannulation, another performance deserving of a BAFTA:

“No, that bit is very painful.”

“Be careful.”

“Please don’t hurt me.”

“This vein is terrible.”

“That one won’t work.”

The poor man, with the patience of a saint, proceeded to cannulate me and, I must admit, I didn’t feel a thing. I apologised profusely and, most importantly, sincerely, while feeling like an absolute clown, which I am, not by profession but by vocation.

I had the bone scan last Friday, and today I received a letter confirming a telephone appointment with my oncologist on the 27th to discuss the results.

Naturally, I have started to panic. I have conducted numerous Google searches, interrogated several artificial intelligences and generally worked myself into a state of complete desperation.

When I was dealing with the recurrence, it was usually a nurse who called me with test results, not the oncologist. Therefore, naturally, I am now expecting the worst possible news.

And all of this happened while I was dyeing my beautiful hair!

Priorities first!

Knock, knock anyone out there?

x

[kazaroo]

Hi @happynipple i’m not sure when your recurrence was diagnosed but the website says it’s been a couple of years since you posted so I’m guessing 2024 at the latest.

Personally if it was me, I would hope being further away from Covid times that if it was a diagnosis they would do it in person rather than on the phone.

I hope the 27th comes round quickly for you though as the waiting is always one of the hardest parts.

[lisa49]

Hi @happynipple

I’m a bit late with this reply, but just wanted to say good luck for Monday.

When I had a bone scan it showed I had osteopenia, which my consultant discussed with me (in person), although I didn’t need treatment for it at that time. I’m 56 now but was only 50 at the time. “Only 50” never in my youth did I think I’d use that phrase!

As kazaroo said, I would hope that if it was anything sinister, he would have booked you in for a face to face, so fingers crossed it’s nothing concerning.

Do update us here when you have your results if you can.

Lisa x

[feckingcancer]

Hi op, to the best of my knowledge. I’ve been doing one research! Now this was for myself.

Bone scans cannot diagnose cancer. They just show if there is more uptake if the radio tracer in the bones. It could be be arthritis etc.

My surgeon warned me that my follow up scans could throw up all sorts that they would need to check but that’s very normal.

I had my nuclear bone scan and the report said degenerative arthritis in a few areas. It also said 2 areas might be possible mets.

My BCN rang me with the results. The MDT weren’t overly concerned but the it’s always recommended to have a CT scan. Fortunately the CT scan came back clear and the I had a CT 6 months ago so they were able to compare.

They are booking an MRI on the shoulder spot to make doubly sure as I had some pain there.

Please don’t stress too much. I know easier said than done.

[happynipple]

Thank you very much for all your support and lovely comments.

I had the appointment yesterday and was conveniently composed, thanks to the pharmaceutical assistance of diazepam, although I suspect I may have taken a little more than I should have. According to the oncologist, everything was fine. I feel so relieved. It is as though the guillotine hovering over my neck has finally been withdrawn, like Anne Boleyn might have felt if her conviction had been pardoned had Henry VIII possessed any sensitivity in his bones rather than reserving it entirely for his crotch. The universe has been lifted from my shoulders, and my kyphosis and trapezius muscles wont be in a desperate need of an overload of ibuprofen gel.

I may have been, too relax because I completely forgot to as for a copy of the report. My brain had apparently left the consultation before the rest of me.

And, Today I came to work even after two coffees, I still have an uncontrollable urge to return to bed and sleep for several days. My manager, rather disappointingly, has not suggested this as a reasonable adjustment. Instead, rather brutality, she has insisted that I perform some actual tasks.

Thank you again and good luck all with your treatments

xx