I just got back from the hospital (surgery)- I need advice

Dear Sisters:

So much has happened since the last time I posted. About a month ago I was concerned about a spot on my liver. Well the doctor did not seem too concerned asked me to repeat a cat scan in 3 months (not sure what it was). It just so happened I had an appointment with my radiation (Onc.). (routine 3 month visit). She was concerned about a compression fracture in my back by the spine. It showed up on a cat scan. My GP who I saw for my back pain for three months was convinced it was a pulled muscle. So I find out that this is indeed a compressed fracture. With all the worry that consumed me about the spot on my liver I was not even thinking about this. See here is the thing - I did not experience any major trauma. However, I am extremly active and could have very well done something.

About 6 years ago I was dignosed with Osteopernia (the beginning of Osteoprosis - I have been taking Fosamax. I never followed up with testing so I have no idea if this progressed to Osteoprosis (I think it might have and I am hoping this is what it is - I am extremely thin and have noticed a detoriation in my over all bone struture).

I was referred to a neurosurgeon who automatically sent me for an MRI of the spine and an xray of the spine. The xray did not show possible signs of tumors and he was not sure about the MRI (it sounded more like a no). He is still not convinced. So he ordered a back biopsy - in addition he wanted to do the proceedure in which cement is injected into the spine (with a small balloon) to lift it and prevent new fractures from happening.

You see there are only three ways to get a compression fracture:
1. Osteoprosis (most common)
2. Fall or trauma to the back
3. Metastic cancer

You can see where I am going with this. So here I am after a one day stay in the hospital - extremely sore and I was cut so there is the healing of the incision - a bone biopsy was performed and the proceedure for the compression fracture.

I am a wreck. I have been crying and have put my life on hold for over a month now. I am not ready to face this. I put off posting on here because I am at a loss of words. How could this all be happening. I am a stage 1C - Grade 3 - Endometrial Cancer survivor - I have put this all past me and have moved on.

In the past month I have visited my onc., rad. onc., GP (3 times), neurosurgeon - had 2 x-rays, 2 catscans and 2 MRI's. I don't feel like a person - all I do is get shifted from doctor to doctor and now to hospital.

I have been a part of hystersisters for over 2 years now and I am afraid my cancer has now spread to my spine. My lymphnodes are clean, pelvic area clean, chest clean - everything else clean. How could this be happening.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry so long.

Hugs,

-Jeannie.

I can hear the fear AND frustration in your note. I have no idea what the problem is, but if you are like me, I'm sure you are thinking the worst. (I always do).
Keep trying to find an answer, and lets hope, it's a simple one. Keep us posted, you'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

Jeannie, I'm so sorry you are going through all of this. It's so hard to get shifted from doctor to doctor...feels like nobody has the answer! I'll keep you in my prayers and please keep us posted with updates. Even if it's just to vent...

s that this is something that can be corrected, and not cancer related.

Jeannie,
Try to remember that you have had similiar panics since you've had cancer. You are very prone to cancer head and thinking the worst. The good news is that you've been wrong everytime! I am sure that you will be agian, and everything will be fine. You will not have cancer spread to your bones. No way! As you said, the most common reason is osteoporsis.

Why waste another good panic?

After this crisis has passed, perhaps you could ask your GP for an anti-anxiety medication so that you could possibly put the fear of recurrence behind you, at some point. You cannot continue to live like this, with this overwhelming fear of recurrence. No one could function with this fear for years and years. You need some help, either with counseling, or medication, or both. Your fear of cancer is putting your life on hold! You don't have to live the rest of your life like this, you really don't.

I do so hope that you get some help and feel better, very soon. You deserve to be able get on with your life!

Hugs and comfort,
Janie

Hi Gio,

I also had small fractures in my lower back and had a hot spot show up on a bone scan a few months after treatment ended. I had a bone biopsy and it came out just fine. The fractures and stuff were due to radiation. The hot spot was most likely inflammation from radiation. I believe since everything else is clear, that mostly likely do not have metastatic cancer in your spine. Try to relax. Stress in not good for you.

Good luck,
Sharon

Sharon:

Were your compression fractures - causing extreme pain - also if I had pelvic radiation could this weaken the spine? I never thought of that before.

-Jeannie.

Hi, Jeannie,

This recent study explains that therapeutic radiation to the pelvis can result in bone damage and may increase fracture risk:

http://www.docguide.com/news/content...2570C1005C5220

I hope that you are feeling better soon and that your biopsy results conclude that your fracture was the result of osteoporosis rather than metastatic endometrial cancer. I believe this will turn out to be the case.

Just curious; why have you had no follow-up DEXA scans to monitor your bone density after having been put on Fosamax six years ago? I am not on any of the bone density medications and still have a DEXA scan every year or two to monitor my bone density. I would think this would be standard protocol for someone such as you who is taking medication to improve bone density.

Take care,

MoeKay

Oh, Jeannie, I am so glad you posted. I hope that, at the very least, you feel better about letting out some of this emotion.

I pray that you get some answers soon. I would be very surprised if it were cancer, after all those tests x-rays, scans, and mri's. Stay close, hon, and I hope your recovery from the surgery is quick and smooth.

Best,

Hi Jeannie, I so am sorry you are going throught this uncertainty. As mentioned already,there are several dxs which seem more likely than metastasis. I hope you get an answer soonest and it shows it is not indeed cancer related and that it can be remedied easily.
Please let us know how you are doing.
s,
peggiesue

Sounds like you have been through the ringer. Sometimes I think doctors are too specialized, they all seem to think it is someone elses problem to treat. I really hope that you get an answer soon.

Hugs,
Jamie