My lower back surgery was successful! I no longer have pain in my hip and leg. So grateful!
Unfortunately, about a week after my surgery I developed significant pain in my upper back that would migrate to my chest. It’s gotten progressively worse. I’ve been meeting and talking with both my oncologist and my surgeon over the past few weeks.
Results of an MRI from last week shows that I have tumors pressing on my T3 vertebrae which is located between my shoulder blades. Pain mystery solved!
The tumors are pressing on both sides of my spinal cord, squishing it into an hour glass shape. Not what we want. The surgeon is aiming for surgery ASAP to do the same procedure (laminectomy) on the T3. Surgery is not scheduled at this time and should happen within the next 2 weeks.
I’m comfortable with this plan and have 100% confidence in the surgeon. I am hoping for the soonest possible date for surgery!
During this time I am not receiving any treatment for my cancer, which is nerve wracking. So, the sooner we can get this done, the sooner I can start my new medication. Obviously the medication I was on stopped working so we cross off that treatment line and move to the next.
Having metastatic breast cancer (MBC) to the bones only is “good”. Much better than when visceral organs become involved (lungs, liver, brain). However, there is no good MBC. I mentioned previously some of the complications bone mets can cause, I think I left off paralysis. So, while I am confident my medical team will get me fixed up as soon and as best as possible, the reality of what I and my family are facing is daunting.
A huge thank you to friends who have provided meals, conversation, brought coffee and other gifts and especially to Amy for driving me to medical appointments in Denver when Glen can’t do it.
We can’t do this cancer thing without you and are so very grateful.
If you are feeling a little helpless and can spare a buck (or twenty) it’s not too late to donate to my fund raiser for research toward new treatments of MBC. https://donate.metavivor.org/fundraiser/4523169
And as always a few photos of the past month. Be well my friends. Onward!
Life As I Know It 
Such a positive framing of a difficult time. I’m so very glad they are getting you into surgery right away! I want you to know that you can also call on me for rides if you need them! Anything really.
Onward!!!
Wendy
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Darn! So sorry you need more surgery so soon. That’s really a bummer, but it sounds like you have a crack medical team that is identifying and treating issues as they crop up. I am not surprised that booking surgeries toward the end of the year is iffy, as everyone always wants to take advantage of their insurance and tax benefits before the new year. I am running into the same thing.
Hope they are able to get you fixed up and more comfortable and on your new meds quickly and you can better enjoy the Holidays coming up. Everyone is sending prayers your way and wishing you the very best.
Much love,
Mom S.
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