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Possible Metastatic BC
Hello,
I am a caregiver for my mother, age 84. Three years ago, she was diagnosed with bladder cancer and underwent four surgeries. The tumor was found late and encompassed almost all of her bladder. Three surgeries involved laser treatment. As a result, she still has her bladder. The fourth was a regular surgery to remove tumor in the ureter area.In the last year, my mother has been complaining of pain in her pelvic area. An early xray revealed a “hairline fracture” that we were told would resolve with time. We tried physical therapy but the pain persists. Recently, Mom underwent a second xray and the doctor reports that the bone in the pelvic area is deteriorating. He is concered in light of her earlier BC diagnosis.
We don’t know yet what is going on, but I would welcome some input regarding questions I should ask, tests to be performed, and resources that are available for us.My mother will be frightened by another diagnosis of cancer. She has told me she does not want to undergo any more surgeries. I suspect that she has been having other symptoms that she is trying to hide from herself and me. The past surgical and post surgical treatements, while successful, were very hard on her.
How can I offer her the best care possible to make sure she is as comfortable as possible during this time. She has told me that she is ready to die (this comment is without reference to cancer). Her husband of 50+ years died two years ago and her whole life has been devoted to taking care of him and me (although the tables are now reveresed in our case.) My father-in-law died of prostate cancer in his mid 80’s and, frankly, he was tortured with treatments during the last two years of his life. We want to avoid that if possible, without giving up prematurely.
Thanks for any words of wisdom you may have to offer.
Claire -
8 Replies
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Off topic replies have been moved to [link=http://blcforum.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1172777623]This Thread[/link]
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I would definately ask for a bone scan.. my husband had both a cat scan and a bone scan the bone scan will show all the “hot spots” in the bones (if there are any) I will keep your mom in my prayers..
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Hi Claire,
I sympathise with your situation and your mother’s feelings about aggressive treatments at this point. But…if she did happen to have spread to the pelvis and is experiencing pain, radiation treatments are very effecive for this and not too horrible, certainly not worse than untreated cancer would be.
A bone scan and CT sound like they are needed, maybe just a bone scan to start with?
Wishing you both all the best,
Wendy -
Dear Joe, Thank you for your message and best wishes for your treatment tomorrow. Claire
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Claire I am scheduled tomorrow for my treatment I have an invassive tumor that got into my muscle and was on the larger scale. For what it is worth the last two tests I had to get done were the CT Scan of my chest and also a bone scan. The CT scan just gives the Dr a more clearer picture of the lungs. In my time I have had 4 surgeries and always a chest xray which from being a smoker I am sure not a pretty picture but I still had the surgeries. When you have this disease every test seems to be spooky but nonetheless you need to get them done. Like the bone scan I had done I am focusing positive all is well and I can just get this surgery done and try to get on with my life if all goes well. So the CT Scan is good idea to do but I would strongly suggest a bone scan I am no Dr I am basically just repeating what my Dr told me as he is known for leaving no stone unturned. Best Wishes, Joe
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CXC,
I’m thinking that your Urologist will give you a good idea of where to go with this. I’m not really sure whether a CAT scan is the way to go with bones, as I’m just not that familiar with what goes on with bones. :) CAT scans may be more in line with soft tissue, or so it seems from the one that I had.
I’m guessing though, that you need a long talk with your Urologist ASAP to relieve your mind as well as hers.
There is a lot of emotions that surround a diagnosis of cancer including feelings of victimization. You are very sensitive to be aware of these issues, and my only advice on that, I guess, is to let your Mother talk and to have her feelings whatever they are. Just let her know that you will be there for her.
I hope you will keep us posted.
Warm regards,
Rosemary
Rosemary
Age – 55
T1 G3 – Tumor free 2 yrs 3 months
Dx January 2006
Dear Rosemary,
Bless your heart. Thank you for your message. I am waiting to speak with the urologist to find out what he recommends. She saw an internist who simply said that she had an area where the bone was deteriorating – suggesting it has continued to deteriorate from the initial xray that revealed a hairline fracture.This website is a wonderful resource as is this e-mail forum. The reason for my post was to make a connection and to find out what are the best tests. It sounds like you are emphasizing the CAT scan.
I also wonder how my mother would handle such a diagnosis. Sadly, I think she views cancer as some type of personal indictment – bad things happen to bad people. So I am trying to figure out how to lessen her worry and suffering. Thanks again for your post and I appreciate knowing that you are there to answer questions. Thanks again, Claire
Dear Cxc,
I can tell that you are very worried about your Mother. Sometimes I wish that Doctors wouldn’t scare the wits out of us by telling us something they aren’t sure of. It’s hard to tell by your post if the Doctor is just “concerned” or he is seeing something and he knows what he’s seeing.
I’m just wondering what the next step is to be? Will she have a CAT scan or PET scan? What was the stage and grade of her cancer? I assume that no cancer was found in the muscle, or she would not still have a bladder. Please remember, that no cancer in the muscle is a very good thing.
It sounds like you are preparing for the worst case scenario. My advice, based on the facts that you have given is to take it one step at a time. But, get a CAT scan!!!
I live with my Mother who is 80 years old, and I think I understand where you are coming from.
If there is any way that we can help you sort through this, please come back and let us know.
With warmest regards,
Rosemary
Rosemary
Age – 55
T1 G3 – Tumor free 2 yrs 3 months
Dx January 2006Sign In to reply.
