Breast cancer

[Jan186]

I found a lump in my right breast. Went to the doctors got a mamogram that day they did a biopsy. When to the doctors and she said it is breast cancer in my limnode and the right brest and the size is 8 cm. When I went to the cancer doctor he could't give me anything postive or neg. He took blood work and said I had to get pet ct scan and a bone scan. And he wants me to get a port in  me. Because I have no veins in my arms. I am so scared, I have 3 childern One 18, The other one just turn 8 and the little boy is 3. I am 37 years old and the cancer doctor said he doesn't see a 37 yr old come in when a 8 cm. He could see if a 50 yr old did. So I am very scared. I am up all night thinking of eveything. Does a bone scan hurt? I have never been though anything like this before? Jan


This discussion is related to Hematoma or Cancer....It's Cancer.

[Jen1967]

Its true the tests dont hurt too much - just anxiety ridden. I think I had 7 tests in 1 week - 2 or more a day. Muga scan, bone scan, MRI, CAT scan, chest xray etc, I was glad when that week was over.  
It definitely feels surreal - like you are watching someone else go through it. But in a short while you will feel more empowered when the tests are over and you start chemo and kicking cancer in the butt! ITs hard to think of now - but that day will come. I was diagnosed in May with IDC and I cant believe how far Ive come since then. My tumor has shrunk within 2 treatments! I still have to get a mastectomy but Ive gotten over that. Stay on this site - wonderful women with great support!
Jen

[Tracy899]

I am a 14 year survivor of invasive stage 2 breast cancer.  I was 29 when I was diagnosed.  It is routine for the doctor to order further testing to check for metastasis before beginning any treatment as this helps him/her to figure out which treatment would be best for you.  There are so many new things for breast cancer these days.  I know the fear you have as when I was diagnosed, my daughter was on 1 1/2 and I doubted I would see her go to kindergarten...in two years she is graduating high school.  
A bone scan is pretty simple.  You go in, they ask a few questions about your history, inject with dye, you come back in 3 hours and they take the pictures... about 20 to 40 minutes.  
Right now things probably seem like "unreal", but that will get better with time.  Be strong and you are in my prayers.   Prayer helped me through it all.  God bless.

[lhughes]

Here's my experience to the scans....

CT scans don't hurt.  You won't be able to eat anything the night before.  When you get there, they'll give you some lovely barium drink to enjoy.  ;)  Then they'll do your scans.  If there is contrast to do (which there usually is), they'll inject this stuff into you that'll be pretty warm and weird feeling.  That goes away within a few minutes.  Then they'll repeat whatever scans they need.  They'll ask you to hold your breath during some points.

Bone scans don't hurt.  They'll inject you with some good radioactive stuff and then send you off to drink a LOT of water or fluid for 3 hours.  After that, you lie flat on this little bitty board while the machine travels over your body within inches of your nose.  That takes around 20-30 minutes.  Hopefully, if you lie perfectly still, they won't have to do any retakes.

Sorry to see you are in this boat.  I was 36 when diagnosed with a tumor that was just over 5cm, 1 node positive.  You're in for a fight, but you can overcome this cancer.

[Mukenhimer]

Based on my understanding, a bone scan is like a giant x-ray, not invasive at all.  I'm also VERY early in my "breast cancer journey" as I've only had 1 round of chemo so far but I did have bilateral mastectomies (the other breast was my choice).  Inserting the port doesn't hurt at all, in fact, they gave me quite a nice sedative so I was pretty relaxed through the whole thing.  Most of the tests I've had done (MUGA, MRI, etc..) are non-invasive (no poking and proding).  The most annoying part is having to lay still for so long!  Good luck to you!!!