Newbie - PET Scan Showing lesions in bone of Spine

Hi.  I'm new to all of this.  Was told last month that the bump in my Right breast was Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. Now got a call that the pre-op PET Scan is showing lesions in the bone of my spine... ? 

Wow!  --  Back to back -- Can't even get my head around this.  

Has anybody had this happen all at once?  Can you please write something to me?  I have one of those jobs that requires an on-going health certification, so am suddenly out of a job ("medically unfit") and trying to "cope" with it all.  

A CT-guided bone biopsy (needle) is being scheduled next week.  

I have a strong faith.  Still; this side-swiped me.  Twice.

Thanks if you have a moment to write.

--Plane K 

Hey Newbie I am stage 4 breast cancer.  They found uptake in my thigh spine ribs and feet.  The very good news is after chemo and a year i am in remission they can't find spots anywhere. There are several types of breast cancer, i am triple positive.  The oncologist was amazed at how well i responded.  I even saw a major hospital oncologist for a second opinion and he was also impressed by the results on the new scans.  More than likely the spot on your spine is a site from the breast cancer .  Hey keep the faith  i did very well.  Best of luck, this is a very good site to ask questions to people wo have been there.    GOOD LUCK

THANK YOU for writing/responding! 

I really appreciated your sharing and encouragement. 

That's awesome that you are in remission! 

I'm still in the "running tests" group -- they did an MRI on my spine yesterday to help in running an upcoming CT-guided bone biopsy. 

I am doing what I know to do -- reading/educating myself; eating vegetables (especially dark greens), fruit, fish, whole-grain, etc.  Walking/jogging 2 to 3 miles a day; swimming; and trying to not get too bogged down. 

I know I have people praying for me - that helps a lot more than they realize. 

Thanks so much for answering.  It really helped my day. 

==just plane k

Hello, I am stage IV with mets to liver, lung & spine. I am not in remission nut stable. The chemo has been working. I have strong faith & that's what keepsake going strong. Keep the faiths friend. There is a lot of treatment out there to have us living active lives for yrs to come. Good luck thru all the testing. That is the hardest part; the wait. God bless!

HELLO,

Did you get tested for the HeR gene?? Just curious, as there are specific targetted therapies for this.

Yes, the wait gets heavy.  Added to the fact that Every time I feel a whisper of discomfort or pressure it's difficult not to flinch or walk into the "what-if's"...  

The bone biopsy report came back that the lobular breast cancer is showing as mets to various places in the bones (and bone marrow?) of the spine.  The oncologist just called me with that Friday night.  Meeting with the oncologist tomorrow to discuss treatment plans/options.  

Sounds like Endocrine (hormone) therapy to reduce the mets and the tumor, followed by surgery, followed by chemo.  

Will know more after tomorrow. 

THANK YOU for your encouragement to Keep the Faith.  

Blessings!

--k

eternalife -- The initial biopsy report showed ER+, PR+ and HerNeu-

Is that what you are referring to ?  

I am going to ask for testing for BrCa1/2, as there is potential family history.  

Hi,

I would suggest you confirm if Herceptin will be the chemo of choice... if ER + as your biopsy states...

You need to find out what genes you are showing positive?

Hi Newbie!  I'm new to this as well!  I was dx with lobular carcinoma in may 2012 in my left breast.  Had a PET scan was told I had lesions on my pelvis, rib and lower spine.  Then had a Bone PET scan and was told I had lesions up and down my spine.  This was after I had a bi-lateral mastectomy.  I also felt that things just kept getting worst!  What kind of treatment are you getting?  I'm getting two hormone therapy treatments with no radiation or chemo at this point.  I'm still scared and hoping the hormone therapies work.  Too much, too soon!

would love to hear from you!   Tired55

Tired55 - Thanks for writing!  Yes; it seems too-much-too-fast to try to get your/my head around.  Have been doing as much as I can on my end to read (voraciously), pray, keep moving, and enjoy the many blessed moments in each of my days.  I had been scheduled to have a bi-lateral mastectomy a couple weeks ago, but when the PET scan & biopsy reported lesions in my spine, the surgery was postphoned 'til that could be dealt with. Apparently, lobular breast cancer cells respond more to endocrine (hormone) therapy than to chemo.  I met with the oncologist on Monday (she's great); was started on Xgeva and Zoladex in order to starve the cells of estrogen & progesterone.  (It's throwing me into chemical menopause -- already getting hot flashes/flushes). Will Start taking Femara next week to build up the bone tissue in order to kick out this invader. They're Monitoring blood tests and size of breast tumor every 4 weeks; then look at surgery (mastectomy or partial) in 2-3 months.  I'm using this time to eat as best I can; exercise; play; pray; and organize. 

I'd be glad to write back and forth any time.  It does Help to talk with someone else who's battling the same thing.  Already Understand all too well the waiting game and "mind battles" that go on along the way.  So Thanks again for writing.  

--planeK