Hi
Just been for my six monthly check up and feel like I am back to square one -Brief history;
Originally dx in April 2007 aged 37, invasive ductal spread to nodes,had mastectomy, node clearance, chemo, rads, herceptin and I am presently on Tamoxifen.
Had Diep reconstruction in June 2008 which I have been really pleased with.
I turned 40 in October a birthday I was really pleased to celebrate and felt that I finally could start to feel positive about my future with my wonderful husband and two lovely daughters.
Today- told consultant could feel a lumpy area around scare of Diep and also that I had been experiencing pain in my left shoulder.
Had mamo, ultrasound and xray and consultant said definate lump so had 3 core biopsies done.
The xray showed a fracture to a rib, the doctor performing the biopsy said this may be down to the radiotherapy, but after researching on internet see that a fracture is a symptom of bone secondaries. The consultant is now sending me for a CT scan and a bone scan so am now in complete panic mode and don’t know how I will cope if the news is bad.
I am having to appear upbeat as dont want the children to worry until I know exactly whats going on so they are unaware that I am sat typing this and feeling absolutly sick inside and not knowing how I will get through this week it is exactly 3 years tomorrow since finding original lump.
Has anyone had a fracture that proved to be radiothery related?
thanks for listening
Rachel
Hi Rachael, poor you sorry to hear about your worries. I am not in a position to answer your queries, but I am sure someone will be able to help you out, ther is usually always someone can assist. Hope it is a good outcome, try not to worry(easier said thaan done. take care Joyce. xx
I do have bone secondaries but a few years ago, before anything suspicious, in a totally unrelated place, I had a broken rib. Well it was identified that I had had one.
I was told that it could have been caused by anything!!
Try not to worry.
Julie x
Hello Rachel, it must be such a worrying time for you. I’m sure I have read, many times, that radotherapy itself can lead to fractures. Radiotherapy weakens the bones. I hope you have some good news and you can be reassured. I was diagnosed with both bc and bone mets by fracture but it was a hip fracture, my ribs were absolutely fine. This was seven years ago and I’ve kept well since then, thanks to some good responses to treatment. I truly have not had a day in bed.
I hope you won’t have to visit here again…unless you want to let us know all is well. Take care and I hope you get good scan results and quickly too. xx
I know that sick feeling all too well and the toughest for me is always controlling my fear and imagination and waiting for tests and results. The results are never as hard to hear and deal with as the waiting and not knowing. I know how hard it is, but do try to cordon off your fears while you have to wait. It could be all good and just like Juliet’s rib remain a mystery why you have this fracture.
I think rads can be pretty fierce? One lady I know was told she couldn’t have them as she was so petite and they said it would cause too much damage to her chest and ribs.
Don’t suppose this is helping that much but I do hate to think of people sitting with that sick fear helplessness. I hope you have the best results and wish you well
L x x
Hi Rachael
I think all of us on the secondaries part know exactly how you are feeling right now - it is so worrying and waiting for any results - whether they turn out good or bad - is the worst thing. I hope you don’t have to wait too long for the scans as this will be a really anxious time for you and I know how difficult it is to remain upbeat about anything with this hanging over you. I hope when you do get your results back they show no mets but if they do please be reassured that there is a lot of us on here in the same position and good, effective treatments are available.
Take care
Nicky xx
Thankyou all so much for your lovely replies.
I have been around these forums since original dx but tend to read not post, but when I do post I feel overwhelmed by the caring responces I recieve.
I am trying to keep busy at moment, its husband and Nephews birthday tomorrow so going for a meal out tonight but have this bad feeling of deja vu, remember 3 years ago trying to keep a smile on my face with all the family at the same celebration.
I am feeling sick with worry more today as I go over and over everything the consultant said to me I think I am actually driving myself mad, probably as I am a lot more knowledgable this time then before.
Thankyou again ladies for taking the time to reply.
Rachel
Hi Rachel
Sorry that you have new worries to contemplate, and it must be a very difficult time for you and your family, so lots of cyber good wishes.
If its any help, I was treated in 2008 with chemo, mx, rads then a year of herceptin which finished july 09. I developed a persistent cough in april 2009 and after several months of coughing I was eventually sent for a CT scan. This showed rads damage to the pleura area and a rib fracture, which was put down to the coughing.
A follow up CT last week confirmed the same results, except that it is also showing radiotherapy damage to the cervical spine area too.
So it seems that radiotherapy can cause quite a bit of disruption to our bodies and not always are things secondary related. My coughing was put down to acid reflux and after a few weeks of being on medication this has almost but gone now.
Hope you feel a little more reassured and wish you well for the next round of tests.
Hi Peacock
your post has really helped, thank you, I hopefully should have my CT scan this week and bone scan the following week.
I think most of the fear comes from the uncertainty and the waiting.
I pleased your results were good, I never realised radiotherapy caused so much damage.
Thank you again
Rachel
Hi,
Just to add to your thread i too experience regualar shoulder pain on my bad side and its normally when i lye on that side when sleeping. Had a shoulder xray and confirmed its nerve damage from the ops and radiotherapy.
hard as it is try to be upbeat.
sukes
Hi All
Just a little update after a very long week, biopsy results very good the lump is fat necrosis developed due to Diep reconstruction.
Hopefully the other results will be as good!
Had CT Monday and going for bone scan today, not looking forward to it as couldnt get a vein on Monday so ended up injecting my foot, dont know where they will try today.
Husband has convinced himself it is rads damage,and Im hoping the same but as you all know the waiting and not knowing is a very difficult time and as much as I appear happy and upbeat on the outside, the feelings inside tell a different story.
Rachel x