Hi Cosmopolitan,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am so sorry to hear that your cancer has returned. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 too, then again 6 months later with pre-cancerous changes in my other breast. This was followed by another primary in my original breast in 2011.

I have had a couple of bone scans and there was really nothing to them.  The whole procedure is lengthy - about 4 hours in total. I had a small amount of radioactive tracer injected, prior to the procedure, then had to wait 2 to 3 hours while the radioactive tracer travelled through the blood and collected in the bones. I was able to go away from the department after I had the injection and told when to return. I was advised to drink plenty of water, before I returned.

I then had to empty my bladder prior to the procedure. After that, I lay down on a couch and a large camera scanned my body. The scanner picks up any radioactivity and highlights any damage or disease to the bone. The scan was totally painless and lasted from 30 minutes to an hour. I was then allowed to go home and again, advised to drink plenty of water. The radioactive tracer is usually expelled from the body in the urine within 24 hours. You won't get any results at the time of the scan. They have to be examined by a radiologist and it usually takes 1-2 weeks to get your results. This is another anxious wait, so it is worth asking staff in the department when you can expect them before you leave, as times can vary from one hospital to another.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Biscuit thank you very much for responding and hope your Mum remains well. 

Thank you Jolamine sorry to hear you have also been on this journey.  Good luck for future 

Hi Cosmopolitan,

Sorry to hear of this.  I had breast cancer in 2012 with lumpectomy, chemo, radiotherapy and then tamoxifen/tetrazole.  Last year I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer with mets in pelvis, spine , ribs skull etc.  I had a CT guided bone biopsy of the mets in pelvis.  I can't say it was a very pleasant experience. They went in through the bottom of my back (more my bum area) The doctor said it wouldn't hurt.  Truth is it did but then I told him and he gave me more local anesthetic.  It was okay after the last anesthetic.  You have to go to the ward afterwards and lie still for four hours.   It is doable just tell them if you need more anesthetic  Good luck for Monday, you have got this x.  Here if you wish to chat.

Lee x

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Hi Lee thanks for responding and sorry you have had to go through this too. The info is useful and thanks for sharing.   They are doing mine on the spine where the tumour is which is scary.   Can’t imagine lying still for 4 hours as that is not me I am like a jumping Jack!!   Best wishes 

Hi Cosmopolitan,

Please ignore my last reply. I misread bone scan for bone biopsy.

I hope that your biopsy goes well.

Please keep us posted.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you.   Best wishes 

Hi Cosmopolitan,  I wonder why they did my bone biopsy on pelvis and yours is on your spine.  I have bone mets in spine too as well as skull, ribs, etc.  You would think it would be easier to do this somewhere else.  I am on Exemastane, Ribociclib and denosumab injections every four weeks.  Are you in a lot of pain with your mets.  I am and take Tramadol with cyclizine for the nausea.  Doctor prescribed zomorph and ora morph but I didnt like it.  Going to try and stick with tramadol for as long as possible. Good luck for tomorrow.  Please let me know how you get on.

Lee x

Hi Lee thanks for the info.   biopsy carried out this morning and very tired been asleep for most of afternoon.  Very painful back now and hope it eases.   In answer to your question for the last couple of months the pain has been in my ribs and thoracic area. Was originally diagnosed with costochondritis which is inflammation of rib cage end of Jan. Twice was told that this was the problem.  But Luckily I decided to have it investigated further as would still be sitting here with wrong diagnoses as that can last for months.   Oncologist has a rough idea of treatment plan but wanted biopsy first.  Also need dental check up as putting me on bisophosenates. It’s all scary as you know.   Last time I coped really well and just dealt with it but this time I am struggling.   Take care