12 years since DX - stage IV - still NED - new problem
 

The great news is that after 10 years with stage IV status I am still NED. NED in body as well as my noggin.

The latest is that I have been suffering with a nerve impingement at L3 - about waist level. The pain goes down my left hip and all the way down the FRONT of my leg to my ankle. Spent 5 days in the hospital to get the pain under control and get some flexibility back in my hip. As well as start to walk a few steps with a walker.

This has been going on since before Labor Day. After something called a CT Myelogram the real disk problem was finally seen, which did not show well on the MRI, which confused the neuro team. Have had two injections in the area of the impingement and the second one has helped so I am reasonably mobile now, still with one of those 4-wheel walker models.

Have appointment with my neurosurgeon in 2 weeks, but am on the cancellation list to try to get in sooner. So, it looks like a little back surgery may be in my near future.

Moral is if we can get well enough to be very active, there are other tricks waiting down the line for our body to play on us. So, I join Elaine on the Back Problem list.

Re: 12 years since DX - stage IV - still NED - new problem
 

Oh Steph, when dealing with cancer we tend to forget the normal aging probs that set in too, thinking of you and sending good wishes !

Re: 12 years since DX - stage IV - still NED - new problem
 

Steph,
Feel better soon, and I'm glad you are "on" it, being proactive. My onco reminds me at times that in addition to what we bear, we have the usual calamities of aging and general health issues we would've had anyway. We are truly soldiers.
Karen

Re: 12 years since DX - stage IV - still NED - new problem
 

Steph, Any surgery is not fun! I hope you get a cancelation soon. Gods blessings to you. I hope and pray all will go well for you!

Re: 12 years since DX - stage IV - still NED - new problem
 

Yes, I have often thought that we should be immune from some of the more "commonplace" ailments due to our having cancer! I have also noticed that the every day things seem to be lining up. Just when I think I have one under control, the next one steps up to the plate! Just thanking God that I am alive to be having these problems.
I have recently been experiencing great hip pain. Xray shows arthritis in hip and spine. And so it goes....
Keep the faith

Re: 12 years since DX - stage IV - still NED - new problem
 

Steph,

I sooooooo hear you! While feeling privileged to be alive to live to grow old, I must say this growing old is a b*t#h! I am so sorry to hear you are gimping along, but hope you get relief very soon. Who was it who said that "growing old is not for the faint of heart"? Bette Davis?

Well whoever said it was spot on! Hang in there!

Re: 12 years since DX - stage IV - still NED - new problem
 

Steph, so sorry to hear you are in pain and having to deal with back issues. Why am I not surprised that you are still going about...pain and all.
Sending you healing energy and hopes that you will be pain free soon.

Kindest Regards,
Jean

Re: 12 years since DX - stage IV - still NED - new problem
 

Hi Stephanie,
I am shocked and so sorry to hear this latest development. I am hoping that your treatment team we solve this problem and have you back on your feet ASAP.
Thinking of you!
Barbara H.

Re: 12 years since DX - stage IV - still NED - new problem
 

Hi Steph, wishing you much success in your operation. It's wonderful that you are growing old (if you know what I mean), but gees, wouldn't it be great if it didn't bring all the other aches and pains!
Cheers Marie

Re: 12 years since DX - stage IV - still NED - new problem
 

Poor Steph! I hope your Drs will find the solution to get rid of the pain and allow you to walk again. I hope you can escape an operation. I am so happy you are NED and I can't imagine you not being able to live fully and travel! Your stage 4 story and your fighting spirit always inspired me even when I was not stage 4.
I hope you will recover fast. Michka

Re: 12 years since DX - stage IV - still NED - new problem
 

Steph,
Oh No!! I'm glad you kept pushing till someone figured out your new ailment! Thank God you're your own advocate...practice makes perfect, I guess.

I've had disk trouble at c-4 and l-5 since my late 20's...arthritis and bulging disks. The pain, when those nerves get squashed, can be unbearable! But for you to be kept off your feet... Wow! That must be some kind of pain! You poor thing! I've had the steroid shots to the site (and they were wonderful, but temporary). I was able to avoid surgery (so far)...who knows what this body of mine will pull on me next! But, I've heard that the pain reduction after surgery is not only wonderful, but permanent. I just know your surgery and recovery will be as smooth as silk.

Hang in there, friend
Denise

Re: 12 years since DX - stage IV - still NED - new problem
 

Oh no - back pain is awful. I feel though that you are a very strong woman with all it takes to tackle this head on - you will prevail. Another challenge for you but wow girl - your back just doesn't know how we'll credentialed you are!
Sending love.

Re: 12 years since DX - stage IV - still NED - new problem
 

Steph I am sorry to hear of your back pain. I hope you get into see the specialist sooner - a little trick I do is phone the office every morning at 9:00 a.m. and sweetly ask if there have been any cancellations that day, and tell the receptionist that you are available to come in pronto.

all the best
caya

Re: 12 years since DX - stage IV - still NED - new problem
 

Hi Steph
Yet another incident in the rich pageant of life. Glad to hear they have got the pain under control as its incredibly draining. I totally agree that after cancer We ALL should be immune from other health problems!
Keep us posted we care about you
Ellie

Re: 12 years since DX - stage IV - still NED - new problem
 

Steph,

Sounded like you might have some sort of vertebrae degeneration issue. I had a scare several years ago when the right side of my neck was pinching me with sharp pain. After some x-ray/tests, I was told that the nerve tissue was exposed because of the bone (cervical vertebrae）degeneration.

I read that they can put something to seal the eroded area. I hope you will get a good 'repairment' and get rid of the pain soon.

Re: 12 years since DX - stage IV - still NED - new problem
 

I am sending huge hugs and well wishes your way.

Re: 12 years since DX - stage IV - still NED - new problem
 

I am so sorry about your back. When one's back is in pain, it is the worst as it affects the whole being. It must have been severe pain for them to keep you five days in the hospital.
Truly hope that you find a resolution and I am sending you lots of ehugs (gently) and healing wishes. And a cancellation appointment! Soon.

Re: 12 years since DX - stage IV - still NED - new problem
 

Bonjour Stephanie,
So sorry to hear about this.
I had what they said was either a pinched nerve or burnt nerve in my shoulder blade area from the radiation and the pain doc gave me Lyrica and it helped with the pain, I wonder if that would work for you until it's taken care of.
hugs and love
Sarah
Hope to see you over this way next year.

Re: 12 years since DX - stage IV - still NED - new problem
 

Thanks so much for all the well wishes, dear ladies!
It is a good thing I had the opportunity last September to climb to the top of the Mont St. Michel and walk up to the first level of the Eiffel Tower!

This pain I have is radiating from my back and is not really felt hard until my hip area and then down my whole left leg. So, oddly my back actually feels OK.

To put weight on my left foot was almost impossible.

Tomorrow I have an appointment for a nerve conduction test on my left leg. Then the neurosurgeon should have everything he needs to evaluate my case.

My hubby is a little put out at having to see such a parade of specialists, but that must be what is required by the insurance nowadays!

Re: 12 years since DX - stage IV - still NED - new problem
 

Oh Steph, I am so sorry you are having back problems. Hope that your surgery can be soon. I have a friend who said that the discomfort of the surgery wasn't nearly as severe as the pain he had before surgery. So here's hoping that you will soon feel much, much better.

Barb A.