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Joan M · 11-12-2008, 07:47 PM

Chelee,

I'm sorry to hear about your back pain and breathing problems, and your doctors' refusing to order scans.

Besides the x-rays, what did your primary say about determining the cause of your problems.

Before I became stage 4 I had upper mid-back pain (more on the left than on the right), but it seemed to be related to poor posture on the computer. The back was painful enough that it was hard to sit back on the hard-backed chair. It hurt mostly in the area of the scapula.

How about requesting a CT scan? It's not as expensive as a PET/CT, and if your pain is being caused by cancer, that would show up.

I don't blame you for being upset. I too asked for a scan when my back was bothering me.

I'm praying that it's nothing serious.

Joan

11-12-2008, 07:47 PM	#6
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Chelee, I'm sorry to hear about your back pain and breathing problems, and your doctors' refusing to order scans. Besides the x-rays, what did your primary say about determining the cause of your problems. Before I became stage 4 I had upper mid-back pain (more on the left than on the right), but it seemed to be related to poor posture on the computer. The back was painful enough that it was hard to sit back on the hard-backed chair. It hurt mostly in the area of the scapula. How about requesting a CT scan? It's not as expensive as a PET/CT, and if your pain is being caused by cancer, that would show up. I don't blame you for being upset. I too asked for a scan when my back was bothering me. I'm praying that it's nothing serious. Joan __________________ Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2023 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!