Continuation from Yesterday

Okay, so the rib was about 90 percent better, and I had an appt. to see Dr. Shadoan, the osteopath, again in two days. Then I felt a sudden, weird twinge on the left side of my back, and a corresponding weird twinge in my chest, directly under my mastectomy scar. The spot in my chest became achey and tender to the touch, over the next few hours. By the time I went to see Dr. Shadoan, I was worried that another rib was fractured. That's how it felt. And that made it seem even more likely that I might be dealing with bone mets. However, I'd just had a bone scan, and no mets showed up on the scan.

Dr. Dan did what he could, I went home, and my left rib cage got worse and worse, more and more painful, also swollen in a couple of spots. The achey tenderness and pain moved around from one rib area to another. This went on for a couple more weeks, until finally I went for x-rays. Again, no mets showed up. But x-rays don't always detect tiny bone mets. And Doc Renneker explained to me that what I was experiencing could indeed be a "heralding" of bone mets that would eventually get big enough to show up on a scan. He suggested I go see an oncologist who could give me a more thorough physical exam, especially since (oh, forgot to mention this), I now had another weird symptom.

About ten days ago, my left armpit (where the nodes were taken from) turned bright fiery red, and I also noticed some pale pink mottled skin on my chest (left side, of course).

So: Long story short, went to oncologist last Friday, he examined me, and definitively announced that he feels very certain that all the rib stuff is a result of bone mets that are still just too tiny to show up on scans. And the weird red areas are, surprise surprise, breast cancer that is now in my skin. Subcutaneous, just below the surface.

A lot to take in. A lot to think about. A lot I have to do in the next couple of weeks.

TBC...

Here's another shot from the x-ray dept. waiting room:

Comments

[Shawn]

I am leaving a comment to say thank you for your impressive way you have done your site you have given some great ideas on making improvements to mine
Again Thanks Shawn

[Jeff Kennedy]

Dear Jane, I'll give you a call to see what I can do to help. As far as I know I've never healed bones or skin, but if deep, committed caring can do it, there's a chance.

[Julie]

That annoying sound from the Inner Sunset is a great tooth-gnashing on your behalf, Jane. And I also send a gentle, carefully positioned hug.
xo,
Julie

[harlan lewps]

I want to know how to make it all go away. How do they propose to treat the subcutanous skin issue?

[Jill]

Photo thought........

The recurring theme in my life, almost on a daily basis
lately, seems to be "Not all things are Black and White, there are many shades of gray".

Couldn't help but be reminded yet again with your photos and posts.

Great photos....

[Jill]

I wish I could take it away..........I hate that all this is happening to you. I wish I wish I wish.......
I am here for you if you need me in any way.......
I love you, Jane.

Jill

[mary ann stein]

I'm here, dear Mistress Jane. Love you. msmush

[linda]

This is a lot to take in. I hate it.
p.s. I love your photos.

[Heather]

Just what you DIDN'T want for Christmas ... or New Years ... or EVER!

I'm so sorry that your saga continues.

Stay strong and do what you must.

[wave]

oy jane...what to say...i relate, i'm sorry, i'm glad to hear from you...i wish it was an easier time...wave