Chelee???? - Page 3

Chelee · 03-29-2010, 12:48 AM

Thanks Margerie! We are having some beautiful weather right now...that's for sure. I plan on taking advantage of the sunny days this wk.

Jacqueline, Yes things have gotten better in many ways. The clean scans and lungs improving were major to me. Right now I more concerned as to why radiation to my femur seems to be causing me so much pain? I'm sure some of it is inflammation as you said. I like that Rads Onc at this new place...at least she answers my questions which is a nice change. I will call her early tomorrow before my appt and let her know what's going on. I now have swelling in the right ankle too...but maybe this is all normal. I've only had 4 days of rads to femur and its sure caused alot of pain in different places. I almost hate to see what another six days will do? But I won't panic until I talk to my Rads doc.

As to the chemo I already asked my onc why she wanted to stop my chemo? She said because all my scans were clean so she wants to stop & save things for later. I happen to disagree with her. We got off to a slow start with the chemo the way she was doing things. We only added the Navelbine in the mix on Dec. 7th...so I think it's far too soon. It's up to me anyway so she loses. The side affects haven't been too bad...thinning hair and slight neuropathy in a couple fingers...other then that its very doable. So I'll stick it out a bit longer. (Plus I'm still doing the Herceptin/Zometa)

Chelee

Ellie F · 03-29-2010, 01:52 AM

Hi and a big welcome back.I have missed you.I did taxotere and herceptin for 4 months though my second op onc suggested 3 months. It's a really hard call as there doesn't seem to be any definitive answer.

Hugs ellie

Midwest Alice · 03-29-2010, 03:48 AM

Chelee it is soooooooooooooo wonderful you are feeling much better. We have missed your up dates of your fight. I will be checking in on you.
Love and hugs,
Alice

Laurel · 03-30-2010, 06:02 PM

Happy to have popped on tonight to find your wonderful news, Chelee. I love your attitude! I am hoping your hip pain lessens. It makes sense to assume the pain may be related to the treatment. Having never had R.T. I do not know.

Glad you are breathing easier and moving in the right direction!

Sandra in GA · 03-30-2010, 07:36 PM

Chelee,
It is wonderful to hear from you! I am so happy that you are feeling better. You have been through a lot. Keep up that spunky spirit. It serves you well.
Sandra

ElaineM · 03-30-2010, 08:50 PM

Congratulations on the good scans. Maybe the nice radiologist can suggest something for your pain or at least tell you what is causing it.
I am happy that you are starting to feel a little better, except for the pain and that your scan results were good.

Chelee · 03-30-2010, 10:21 PM

Yes I am feeling better thank you all. I'm still dealing with this pain in femur & foot from the rads. I did get to talk to my Rads onc and she seemed concerned that my hip was hurting the way it is. She also sees the slight swelling in my foot and ankle which she didn't feel was normal. She felt it was more from the femur surgery I had.

But I disagree with her. Since I recovered from my femur surgery I have had no pain or swelling at all. My entire leg and hip was feeling better then ever. The pain in my hip and foot started the 2nd day of rads...I find it very hard to believe its just a coincidence? Then each day I went back for rads the pain in hip and foot has increased...so it has to be from rads. The Rads Onc said I could expect some inflammation which will "usually" go away...but she could not guarantee it. The Rads onc said I could stop now and if cancer does come back we could deal with it then, so I don't know what to think at this point? I've done 6 days and I suppose to do 10. Seems like it would be all for nothing if I stopped now. But I don't want to be crippled either. At least this Rads onc is really good at making herself available to me and actually answering questions...such a nice change. I'm not use to that. If anyone here has had rads to your femur feel free to jump in & share your experience.

Chelee

tricia keegan · 03-31-2010, 07:46 AM

I can't help with your question Chelee but just wanted to say how happy I am for you on the clear scans

Margerie · 03-31-2010, 08:14 AM

I am wondering if the rads/surgery messed up your lymph nodes and you are getting lymphedema in your legs?? I am sure you want to turn in your crown for Queen of Side Effects right now........ Hope you feel better soon.

Shobha · 03-31-2010, 08:31 AM

Hi Chelee,

So good to hear about your clean scans! Wishing you the best and continued NED status.

hugs,
shobha

StephN · 03-31-2010, 11:05 AM

Margerie - I just had the same thought about her lymph system. That would not normally explain the pain though.

My other idea is that a nerve has been upset by the radiation, as we do have some major nerves in that area.

Could be a combo of two problems, making the source harder to pin down.

Keep talking to your rads specialist and see if you can concentrate his/her mind on your leg.

Rich66 · 03-31-2010, 11:23 AM

Seems possible that you could have an atypical reaction to rads since you had surgery there. I know the surgery didn't involve the foot but..the foot could be a further barometer and end of the line recipient of the disturbance "upstream".
When you talk of clean scans, are you referring to lack of growth or NED? Any talk of a PET?

Chelee · 03-31-2010, 07:15 PM

Rich, I believe that is the problem. I had pain in my foot and pelvic area prior to surgery. That pain was gone once I recovered. I had almost a 7 cm mass in my femur all the way at the top. My Ortho surgeon said he scrapped away alot of bone to get rid of that mass.

Since I started rads I can't help but noticed the places I had pain prior to my surgery are now the same places that hurt since I started rads. So the rads is hitting that area that he placed the rod and screws....must be distrubing the nerves which travel to my pelvis and foot. I tried to get my ortho onc on the phone today to discuss this with him--but he was in surgery darn it. I hope he calls me tomorrow because I don't know if I dare finish rads or not? My hip joint really hurts. I just pray this goes away after rads?

Chelee

ElaineM · 03-31-2010, 09:22 PM

Can you get the ortho doc to talk to the radiation doc?
They might be able to figure out something or make some adjustments together to help you get the treatments you need without all the pain and suffering.

Chelee · 04-01-2010, 08:11 PM

Hi Elaine, I found out today that my Rad onc did call & talk to my Ortho onc. They are both at different cancer centers so I was shocked. I'm not use to any of my doctors talking to each other...this is new to me.

It's nice to see someone cares for a change. (I know my onc would of NEVER done that for me.) My Ortho onc really wants me to finish the rads so I'll do that. He feels the problems I have will settle down some time after I'm finished. I will be going up to see my Ortho soon. He will want a x-ray and to have a look at it. I think it will be fine from what both doc's say.

Chelee

ElaineM · 04-01-2010, 09:19 PM

I am so glad that the two doctors talked. They must be very good doctors. Is so nice to hear that some doctors work as a team to help a patient. Now if one of them can suggest something to help you with the discomfort until you finish radiation it would be great.