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DonnaD · 12-17-2008, 08:54 PM

Hi Liz,
DonnaD here. As Sheila mentioned I have had issues with two areas of my ribs. I do not know your treatment, but as you can see I had radiation in 07. I think I fractured and re fractured my ribs twice, once in July of 07 and again in July of 08. Oct of 07 two areas showed up on a rib x-ray, bone scan and CT. I am sure that injury was from a bad cold and cough. The CT was repeated in 3 months and it showed healing, with no other issues.

My radiation oncologist was involved and she said bone damage from radiation is very common. I did some reading and thought it was about 5%. She said it could be as high as 25%!

I was doing great and got over zealous and re injured the same area this past July. Another series of rib x rays showed the fracture again. I will go in Friday for a CT to see how things are healing. Things are much better (pain) but I still can not exercise with weights of lift heavy objects.

Are you experiencing pain? I have been told on this site and from my onc that bone mets usually appear in more than one area. I too was very concerned. Waiting 3 months and repeating the tests worked for me. After being diagnosed with cancer our lives change forever. I know it is hard to wait. We all worry about every new ache, pain or test. Try to concentrate on the season and all the good things in your life. 3 months will roll around before you know it. I bet you will see improvement in the questionable area.

If you need more info, send me an e-mail.

Donna

12-17-2008, 08:54 PM	#3
DonnaD Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Marengo, IL Posts: 518	Hi Liz, DonnaD here. As Sheila mentioned I have had issues with two areas of my ribs. I do not know your treatment, but as you can see I had radiation in 07. I think I fractured and re fractured my ribs twice, once in July of 07 and again in July of 08. Oct of 07 two areas showed up on a rib x-ray, bone scan and CT. I am sure that injury was from a bad cold and cough. The CT was repeated in 3 months and it showed healing, with no other issues. My radiation oncologist was involved and she said bone damage from radiation is very common. I did some reading and thought it was about 5%. She said it could be as high as 25%! I was doing great and got over zealous and re injured the same area this past July. Another series of rib x rays showed the fracture again. I will go in Friday for a CT to see how things are healing. Things are much better (pain) but I still can not exercise with weights of lift heavy objects. Are you experiencing pain? I have been told on this site and from my onc that bone mets usually appear in more than one area. I too was very concerned. Waiting 3 months and repeating the tests worked for me. After being diagnosed with cancer our lives change forever. I know it is hard to wait. We all worry about every new ache, pain or test. Try to concentrate on the season and all the good things in your life. 3 months will roll around before you know it. I bet you will see improvement in the questionable area. If you need more info, send me an e-mail. Donna __________________ Donna Crystal Lake, IL Diagnosed 8/4/06 at age 54 Lumpectomy 8/30/06 Stage llA, grade 3, ER/PR-, Her2++ 1.7 cm tumor, 1+ lymph node out of 9 Completed 4 A/C, & 4 Taxol with Herceptin 36 rads completed 5/16/07 Mammograms, 7/07 clear fractured ribs in radiated area 10/07 Finished Herceptin 12/27/07 Mammogram,CT,tumor markers 1/08 - small lung nodules in radiated area, repeated tests 3/08 stable Mammogram,CT ,tumor markers 6/08 stable NED 2 years!! 3 years !!! 4years!!!! 4 years, 10 months and 8 day NED, calling it 5 years!!! Official 5 years 8/30/2011 8/31/ 2012 - 6 years!!!!!! Last edited by DonnaD; 12-17-2008 at 08:57 PM..