Bone Biopsy

jen2012
jen2012 Member Posts: 1,607 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

So, my husband is still in the hospital, but at least they are controlling the pain pretty well now.  They did cultures on Tuesday through the port and after 2 days they started growing something.  Yesterday they wanted to take more cultures - some from the port and some through a vein.   None of those have grown anything yet.  He started running a fever yesterday.  He's had upper and lower CT scans this week that don't show anything - no abscess, no cancer.  He had an MRI last night that shows lesions on the spine.   The infectious disease doc wants to get a biopsy to see what those lesions are.  She said it is possible that an infection settled there.   He had lesions show up on his first 2 pet scans last year, had biopsies and both were clear.   So, I'm hoping these lesions are not cancer either. If they determine it is the infection then they will finally start treating it - 6 weeks of IV antiobiotic.   Of course, it's Friday night and the interventional radiologists are gone for the weekend so more waiting...

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, prayers and support.

Comments

  • steveandnat
    steveandnat Member Posts: 886
    #2
    Praying for the best

    This cancer roller coaster ride will drive us crazy.  Pray everything is good! Jeff

  • traci43
    traci43 Member Posts: 773 Member
    #3
    Wow, that's crazy!

    I hope they get to the bottom of things soon and start treating it.  Best wishes, Traci

  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #4
    Sounds Good, Jen...

    REally hoping the lesions are not cancerous either....I remember being apprehensive when they were showing potential spots on my spine too....and the MRI showed they were not....but I remember the apprehension.

    So, here's to being close to you and  hoping it is somethinbg treatable......sounds like they have a good idea of what's going on.

    -Craig

  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    #5
    Jen, I am praying the

    Jen, I am praying the lessions are not cancer. I am sorry you have to go through this. I have always said that it is harder on the caregiver than the patient. My wife confirmed that again last night. I am always quiet about my scans when the time is getting close in hopes that she is not thinking about it. Yesturday she asked me if I was worried and commented that our lives have changed since cancer and will nevef be the same. She is right. I thought I could spare her some agony by being quiet but I guess not. I feel sooooooo very bad for what I have put her through. Sh doesn't want me to have another liver resection if my upcoming scan shows progression. She wants me to do RFA or nanoknife. I want surgery. The first 4 surgerise were so tuff on her..

     

    I am sorry for rammbling but I just want you to know I understand your situation.

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #6
    Hugs coming to both of you, Jen.

    I really hope they get some answers for you both soon.

    Keep us posted as you can.  And try to get a little rest this weekend!

  • jen2012
    jen2012 Member Posts: 1,607 Member
    #7
    Thank you all.  I just left

    Thank you all.  I just left the hospital - they are still looking for infection.  They are taking a vial of blood now and adding something to it that tags the white blood cells and then re-inject the blood and scan him to see where the WB cells go.  Interesting.  I hope it does the trick.  If not, then bone scan tomorrow possibly.  They are calling these guy in for the weekend to run these tests so I'm glad they are on it and making an effort but its draining waiting and his pain it going up his back now too.

  • jen2012
    jen2012 Member Posts: 1,607 Member
    #8
    janderson1964 said:

    Jen, I am praying the

    Jen, I am praying the lessions are not cancer. I am sorry you have to go through this. I have always said that it is harder on the caregiver than the patient. My wife confirmed that again last night. I am always quiet about my scans when the time is getting close in hopes that she is not thinking about it. Yesturday she asked me if I was worried and commented that our lives have changed since cancer and will nevef be the same. She is right. I thought I could spare her some agony by being quiet but I guess not. I feel sooooooo very bad for what I have put her through. Sh doesn't want me to have another liver resection if my upcoming scan shows progression. She wants me to do RFA or nanoknife. I want surgery. The first 4 surgerise were so tuff on her..

     

    I am sorry for rammbling but I just want you to know I understand your situation.

    Thank you Jeff.  You sound

    Thank you Jeff.  You sound really upset about putting your wife through this.  I guarantee she would rather have you with her, going through this together, than not having you here.  Try not to let that bother you.  It sucks for the patient, the spouse, the kids, the parents - it's just a sucky, unfair situation but it is what it is.   She's probably mad at the universe, like I am, but not upset with you.  Does she have anyone to talk to?   This is the only place I vent and it is so helpful.  Such a relief to be able to just unload to people who understand.     Isn't it funny how we try to protect each other by not talking about what we are worried about (scans, etc) - my husband and i do the same thing.

    When is your scan and why do you think it's going to show something?   If something does show and you think surgery is the best option, she will understand that.  It is really scary to see our typically strong  husbands down and out for while, but you will get yourself strong again.   Hopefully you won't have to worry about that though!

  • Chelsea71
    Chelsea71 Member Posts: 1,169 Member
    #9
    jen2012 said:

    Thank you all.  I just left

    Thank you all.  I just left the hospital - they are still looking for infection.  They are taking a vial of blood now and adding something to it that tags the white blood cells and then re-inject the blood and scan him to see where the WB cells go.  Interesting.  I hope it does the trick.  If not, then bone scan tomorrow possibly.  They are calling these guy in for the weekend to run these tests so I'm glad they are on it and making an effort but its draining waiting and his pain it going up his back now too.

    That is very interesting.

    That is very interesting.  They seem to be right on top of it.  His pain seems to be progressing quickly.  To me that seems more like an  infection vs. bone lesions.  I realize that bone lesions are painful but I don't think the pain level would escalate so quickly.  Sounds like they are taking it all very seriously so I'm sure they'll figure it out soon and then move forward with a solid treatment plan.  My money is still on an infection.

     

    Chelsea

  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    #10
    jen2012 said:

    Thank you Jeff.  You sound

    Thank you Jeff.  You sound really upset about putting your wife through this.  I guarantee she would rather have you with her, going through this together, than not having you here.  Try not to let that bother you.  It sucks for the patient, the spouse, the kids, the parents - it's just a sucky, unfair situation but it is what it is.   She's probably mad at the universe, like I am, but not upset with you.  Does she have anyone to talk to?   This is the only place I vent and it is so helpful.  Such a relief to be able to just unload to people who understand.     Isn't it funny how we try to protect each other by not talking about what we are worried about (scans, etc) - my husband and i do the same thing.

    When is your scan and why do you think it's going to show something?   If something does show and you think surgery is the best option, she will understand that.  It is really scary to see our typically strong  husbands down and out for while, but you will get yourself strong again.   Hopefully you won't have to worry about that though!

    You are so right about

    You are so right about everything you said. A tiny spot showed up back in july so this MRI is a 3 month follow up to see if there are any changes. I will have the results on the 31st when I see my surgeon.

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #11
    janderson1964 said:

    You are so right about

    You are so right about everything you said. A tiny spot showed up back in july so this MRI is a 3 month follow up to see if there are any changes. I will have the results on the 31st when I see my surgeon.

    Hoping for great results for you...

    Pls. keep us posted.

    And cancer really is a special circle of hell, it seems...it hits everyone so hard.  I think talking things out is good, but it's also very scary.  Hard to confront and discuss the reality of what we're all going through.

    Sending some hugs and strength your way to help you get through the next couple of weeks (and if I didn't think I would get arrested, I would send you some of my medical mj too!).

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