Mets to bones (Spine and Ribs)

jrbholland

Hi Everyone,

I have some sad news to report. My mom was doing really well after her esophagectomy in October 2010. We had a great Christmas season. Unfortunately, she started complaining of a sore back. The doctors did an xray and it came back okay, so she started physio but it still wasn't getting any better.

On Thursday (Jan 27th) they did an MRI and the results came back that there were lesions on her spine and ribs. That would explain the back pain.... I am so scared we really though that we were in the recovery phase as my mom was doing so well and her first CT scan in December came up clean.

I live six hours away and my wife and I are expecting our first baby this April (my mom is so excited).

Has anyone else been though mets to the bones? Is there still hope?

Thanks,
Jeff

dlrepic

sorry
I'm so sorry for your bad news. I hope there is treatment available for your mom. I'm new to the boards and unfamilar with your case, would it be possible for you to recap your mom's diagnosis and treatment thus far?
Danielle

jrbholland

dlrepic said:

sorry
I'm so sorry for your bad news. I hope there is treatment available for your mom. I'm new to the boards and unfamilar with your case, would it be possible for you to recap your mom's diagnosis and treatment thus far?
Danielle

update recap
Hi Danielle,

my mom was diagnosed in June 2010. She had been having trouble swallowing starting in about March 2010. She just assumed it was an ulcer or something minor. The cancer was the the junction of the esophagus and stomach. She started chemo in July and got VERY ill... she made it though 2 of 3 cycles. Then in October she had surgery, the surgery went really really well and everyone was pleased. My mom was recovering well and feeling great until her back started hurting at around Christmas time. Now it turns out she has mets to her lower back and ribs. The doctors are saying that it is very serious but they still hope to control the cancer provided it has not spread any further. My mom should be starting radiation in the next few weeks.

Jeff

Unknown

jrbholland said:

update recap
Hi Danielle,

my mom was diagnosed in June 2010. She had been having trouble swallowing starting in about March 2010. She just assumed it was an ulcer or something minor. The cancer was the the junction of the esophagus and stomach. She started chemo in July and got VERY ill... she made it though 2 of 3 cycles. Then in October she had surgery, the surgery went really really well and everyone was pleased. My mom was recovering well and feeling great until her back started hurting at around Christmas time. Now it turns out she has mets to her lower back and ribs. The doctors are saying that it is very serious but they still hope to control the cancer provided it has not spread any further. My mom should be starting radiation in the next few weeks.

Jeff

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jrbholland

unknown said:

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

thanks for the reply
Hi Sherri, I'm really sorry to hear about Jim's cancer and mets too I find that there are just so many peaks and valleys with this disease. Our family is definately in a valley right now with the recent news of mets to the back and spine. Currently, the game plan is to do a bone scan to ensure that the spread is localized. If localized they will start radiation right away to try and keep the cancer under control. They are still considering chemo but are looking for a new mixture as the original chemo really made my mom ill.

My mom is 55 years old and is being treated in Ottawa Ontario Canada at the Cancer Centre.

What is Jim's treatment plan? have they given him a "prognosis"?

Kind Regards,

Jeff

dlrepic

jrbholland said:

update recap
Hi Danielle,

my mom was diagnosed in June 2010. She had been having trouble swallowing starting in about March 2010. She just assumed it was an ulcer or something minor. The cancer was the the junction of the esophagus and stomach. She started chemo in July and got VERY ill... she made it though 2 of 3 cycles. Then in October she had surgery, the surgery went really really well and everyone was pleased. My mom was recovering well and feeling great until her back started hurting at around Christmas time. Now it turns out she has mets to her lower back and ribs. The doctors are saying that it is very serious but they still hope to control the cancer provided it has not spread any further. My mom should be starting radiation in the next few weeks.

Jeff

Good morning
Good morning Jeff,

I hope this day finds some relief for you an your family. What stage was your mom at diagnosis? I'm sorry she didn't handle the first chemo well and I hope they find a new combination.

Danielle

dlrepic

jrbholland said:

update recap
Hi Danielle,

my mom was diagnosed in June 2010. She had been having trouble swallowing starting in about March 2010. She just assumed it was an ulcer or something minor. The cancer was the the junction of the esophagus and stomach. She started chemo in July and got VERY ill... she made it though 2 of 3 cycles. Then in October she had surgery, the surgery went really really well and everyone was pleased. My mom was recovering well and feeling great until her back started hurting at around Christmas time. Now it turns out she has mets to her lower back and ribs. The doctors are saying that it is very serious but they still hope to control the cancer provided it has not spread any further. My mom should be starting radiation in the next few weeks.

Jeff

Good morning
oops

jrbholland

dlrepic said:

Good morning
Good morning Jeff,

I hope this day finds some relief for you an your family. What stage was your mom at diagnosis? I'm sorry she didn't handle the first chemo well and I hope they find a new combination.

Danielle

Diagnosis
Hi Danielle,

At first they though she was only Stage 2 but after surgery they found lymph node involvement and updgraded the diagnosis to Stage 3B

linda1120

jrbholland said:

Diagnosis
Hi Danielle,

At first they though she was only Stage 2 but after surgery they found lymph node involvement and updgraded the diagnosis to Stage 3B

I am so saddened for your family
I am so saddened for your family to get this news of mets to the bones. I don't really know much about that and what can be done, but it sounds like you are getting good care. Please keep us updated with her chemo and radiation plan. EC truly is the roller coaster ride from hell.

My husband is recuperating from his MIE on January 5th and now has pnuemonia. He is having a hard time and I am trying to be there for him and take care of him.

I will keep you and your family in prayer.

Linda

jrbholland

linda1120 said:

I am so saddened for your family
I am so saddened for your family to get this news of mets to the bones. I don't really know much about that and what can be done, but it sounds like you are getting good care. Please keep us updated with her chemo and radiation plan. EC truly is the roller coaster ride from hell.

My husband is recuperating from his MIE on January 5th and now has pnuemonia. He is having a hard time and I am trying to be there for him and take care of him.

I will keep you and your family in prayer.

Linda

Hi Linda,
Thanks for your
Hi Linda,

Thanks for your kind words. I will certainly keep you all posted as to my mom's progress.

Please take care of your husband too !!!

Jeff

dlrepic

jrbholland said:

Diagnosis
Hi Danielle,

At first they though she was only Stage 2 but after surgery they found lymph node involvement and updgraded the diagnosis to Stage 3B

Treatment
Hi Jeff,

My dad was diagnosed with IIB, had chemoradiation and then the MIE. He had active tumor in his lymphnode, so he is now doing chemo again. Did your mom have radiation prior to surgery, or only chemo? Did she have post-op chemo? I'm sorry if I'm having you repeat things, but there are so many stories and details on this board, I get a little confused.

Thanks, take care
Danielle

sal314

Hi Jeff
Sorry to hear about your mom. My dad has bone mets as well. Though it would be better to have no mets, bone mets can be kept under control. Many women with breast cancer live with bone mets for years. Esphageal cancer is a bit more aggressive, but it doesn't mean your mom can't have a lot more time. You just have to keep positive and cherish every day you have with her.

They will probably do radiation to help the pain and there are some drugs that can help strengthen the bone. They use chemo as well to keep the bone mets under control and hopefully stop it from spreading further.

Will be praying for you, your mom and family.

Blessings,

Sally

jrbholland

sal314 said:

Hi Jeff
Sorry to hear about your mom. My dad has bone mets as well. Though it would be better to have no mets, bone mets can be kept under control. Many women with breast cancer live with bone mets for years. Esphageal cancer is a bit more aggressive, but it doesn't mean your mom can't have a lot more time. You just have to keep positive and cherish every day you have with her.

They will probably do radiation to help the pain and there are some drugs that can help strengthen the bone. They use chemo as well to keep the bone mets under control and hopefully stop it from spreading further.

Will be praying for you, your mom and family.

Blessings,

Sally

Thanks Sally
Hi Sally,

Thanks so much for your posting. Though I wouldn't wish this on anyone it is nice to hear of other who are surviving with mets to the bones.

I just hope that they can get the pain under control and then keep this contained for many years.

Please take good care of your dad and know we are all pulling for him too.

Jeff