My wife and i had been doing really well, I will keep the message short as i am at work at the mo.
we got a call on monday, and the doc said that we had to go in a see a specialist about a MRI result on jo’s neck the following day, they said that this was showing problems in the T1 vertebrae at the top of the back, they are hoping to do radiotherapy for a week next week, and think that this will stop the cancer spreading further in the bone, at the moment it doesnt affect the nerves.
anyone else out there had similar experiences with bones? we dont really understand the implications?? they called the procedure emergency???
Sorry to hear your news.
I think you should phone the nurse service here as they can explain and they are medically qualified but I can tell you my experiences.
I’ve had radiotherapy to quite a lot of my vertebrae and it doesn’t hurt at the time but about 2-3 weeks later, the area can become very painful - I needed morphine. The benefits aren’t felt till about 4-6 weeks later.
One of my vertebrae was near to collapsing but the rads has stopped it and it is now growing new bone. I hesitate to say this but if it is emergency rads then the bone is probably quite thin which is why they want to do rads now.
The other thing that crosses my mind is that usually if it spreads to the bone they start to give you a bone strengthener which helps to rebuild bone and stops the cancer growing - called biphosphonates. Usual ones are pamidronate anf zaledronic acid (zometa) or tablets called ibondronate. These drugs take a few doses to work and are given 3 -4 weekly and usually you stay on them forever. I don’t know anything about the tablets as am on zometa.
There are lots of women here who have had bony secondaries for many years without it spreading anywhere else so I’m sure they will also answer.
Sorry - have probably worried you more now. Give the helpline on this site a ring. they are really helpful.
Hope all goes smoothly in rads - as in I hope you don’t have machine breakdowns and delays as having rads isn’t painful.
Katex
I had emergency radiotherapy when I was first diagnosed with bone mets (4 years ago) as I had a fracture in my spine and amazingly the pain went within a couple of days.
I’ve had radiotherapy 3 times since then to various parts of my spine and each time it has done the trick. The hardest thing I had to cope with the last time was fatigue from the radiotherapy as I had longer exposure to it than previously.
I am also on Zometa but was on bonefos (tablet form) initially.
Please feel free to call our helpline as Kate has kindly suggested for further information and support if you feel this would help you both, it’s open weekdays 9-5 and Sat 9-2. Number is 0808 800 6000
Hi Matt, I’ve been living with bone mets since 2003. I’ve had rads to the sacrum and hip. I take the tablet bisphosphonates, Ibandronate…as Kate has already mentioned do ask about bisphosphonates…they will strengthen the bones. Best Wishes.
I am another bones mets girl. I have had extensive bone mets to all areas of my spine, hips/pelvis, ribs, skull etc. since 2002 and it is reasonably stable. On mets dx I too had a problem with the bones at the top of my spine. Unfortunately those ones at the top have what are called the odontoid pegs on which the head turns or nods. One of mine was in a bad way and treated as emergency as well. They are pretty fragile but I havent had any problems there since the radiotherapy. I too am on regular bisphosphonates. I hope you are finding our stories encouraging and if your wife wants to ask us anything - do encourage her.
Hi Matt,
I have bone mets in my spine in two places(neck and T11 vertebrae).My Onc did talk about giving me rads but then said because I didn’t have pain(just stiffness)in my spine she would just put me on Zometa(bone strengtheners).I had my first one two weeks ago.
Best wishes,
Alli x