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Anyone with recurrence to sternum?

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Posted 3/30/2008 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hello ladies. I have a question, about recurrence to the sternum and the symptoms and treatment that would come with that. Has anyone been dx with this that would be willing to share some information? Thanks a ton!

Lauré
Posted 3/30/2008 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Laure,

I was diagnosed with recurrence to the sternum 21 years ago.  It was just a couple years after my initial diagnosis and I was having symtoms which turned out to be a recurrence in my sternum. 

Are you thinking that you possibly have a problem there?  I would be glad to answer any questions or give you more details of my experience if you want me to. 

Good Luck!

Debbie

^j^  ^j^  ^j^ 

Posted 3/30/2008 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Debbie,

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I'm starting to wonder about a recurrence in the sternum and would appreciate any info you can give. You can reply to me directly if you prefer or to here. I'm at Lmmackey at good ole aol. com. What symptoms were you having? What tests did they do back then?

In any case, It's been several months of pain on the left side of the sternum, which was the side of my affected breast. The pain is daily and is fairly constant, but when I apply pressure to that side, the pain gets quite intolerable. I was dx and had the initial lumpectomy exactly 3 years ago today, followed by bilateral mastectomies in May 05. The sentinel node biopsy came back negative, although they only took one and two "lit up" from the isotope. Since the mastectomies (no reconstruction), the left side of my chest has continued to "sink in" and the right side remains normal. I am probably overreacting, and do plan on seeing the oncologist again. I've never had scans, no markers taken, really just physical exams. I am chemically induced into menopause and am on my 2nd aromatase inhibitor (femara now). I think the other concern is that I've been getting progressively more tired and seem to fade out every afternoon. I've begun to get every cold out there, and am on my second sinus infection of my life, all in the past few months.

So, I am so glad to hear this happened so long ago for you...well, not happy it happened, but happy you're doing well. Thanks for any info!

Lauré
Posted 3/30/2008 10:31 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Laure, sorry you're having concerns, that is one of the things I hate so much about the disease, is the nagging concerns that follow with every ache and pain.

My initial dx was in 1999 and a few years ago, I too started having pain in my sternum. Mine was evident when I moved or stretched in certain ways, not so much to the touch or just at rest. I had a bone scan which showed increased uptake there but they did not think it was cancer, but sent me for a CT next. CT confirmed no metastatic process, but instead, I had osteoarthritis with subchondral cysts on my sternal-manubrial joint. WHo knew?  They think mine was just another side effect of radiation, that damaged the tissue between the sternum and manubrial joints (never knew we had a joint there!). I get flare ups now and then when it reminds me it's there, but nothing that requires any pain meds. I felt pretty lucky to get a dx of arthritis!

Hopefully yours is something as silly as what I got....hang in there!

Lori


Posted 3/31/2008 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Deb and Lori,

I wish I could say this is part of rads, but I chose not to have rads, instead a bilateral mast. I saw what rads did to my husband (at 33) and for his second time (Long, long, long story). In any case, I will see the onco whom I just love, and will go from there. I'm still hoping to hear from others who have had any experience with ANY pain in the sternum area, so please write. I know that chances are this is just another "joint" pain, and I'll write when I have good news!

Love you all!
Lauré
Posted 3/31/2008 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Luare.  I didn't have rads, either, but I did have some problems with the something similar to what Lori had.  Inflammation of the intracostals where they meet the sternum...I think it was called costachondritis???  It was a long time ago, so the terminology may not be correct.

I've been told that chemo can wreak havoc with the ribs, and I've not only had the inflammation, but several spontaneous rib fractures...bone density, however, is fine.  Even saw an osteo specialist, but couldn't account for any of it other than the hx of chem.  Hope that is all it is.  My fingers are crossed for you.

Hugs...

BEV  

Posted 4/1/2008 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Bev, I never made that connection...I'll have to look up the word. I had subchondral cysts in my joint between the sternum and manubrium. You had costchonriditis...inflammation of the lining between the ribs or something like that...but both have the root word "chond". Who knew?

L&H,
Lori
Posted 7/18/2008 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
I have cancer in my sternum also in my ribs and bones. I have it in my both hips 2 places in the back I have a rod in my left leg due to a fractured femur due to the cancer, and the cancer is below my left knee. Also I got this bone cancer from breast cancer that I got in 2004 now its 2008 and Im battling this all over again and its worse. Im in constant pain. And its severe. If I run out of pain meds , I have convulsions all night from withdrawel and it gets so bad I bought my pain meds out of pocket costing me 320 dollars. I go to chemo every week Im starting to lose my hair again its patchy and thin. Im only 40 with 3 kids and 3 dogs and a husband and Im so sick of being this way. I lay in bed all day and just hope to get through the day. Its not really living.
I had a double mastectomy with reconstruction, I also have a stent in my chest from all the veins collapsing from radiation. Ive had tons of radiation. Its over now but Im sure not forever. I will have chemo until the end of the year and I hate it but my last petscan said I was in remission. I want to stop the chemo but the dr said I need it until Dec or Jan and then he will take me off and scan me again to see if Im still in remission. Im so scared I want this to be over so badly. I cant take the chemo. I hate it so much. So now all i can concentrate on is staying pain free.. thats the hardest thing for me to deal with I dont have a backup of meds to have the extra so my fear of running out is so bad I cannot run out. Oh well Im sure some people are going through the same thing I just wondered what other people do to remain pain free..Good luck to everyone
Posted 7/19/2008 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
OMG Reegee you and our Cathi ought to talk. Cathi has cancer in her bones, too, and has had metal put in her arms. You both sound like you have had so much pain. I am so sorry. My daughter is dealing with cancer in her bones, too. She has several spots, but then it went to the bone marrow, so she is doing chemo for that now. She is doing real well after the first chemo of Abraxane. I just can't imagine being so young and having to deal with so much. You are in my prayers!!! MK
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