Hi Cosmopolitan

I hope that you are getting on Ok. Id like to ask how the radiotherapy to your spine went. Was there increased pain immediately afterwards and has it since given you any benefits. Ive been offered radiotherapy but first must get an MRI scan. I think Lee was also offered the treatment but has put it off till a later date. Wishing you and Lee the best.

Ed

Hi Ed hope all is well.   I did have Reactionary Edema which gradually got worse and had to call 111.   They were of no help but Oncologist acted immediately the next morning and gave me 10 days Dexamethasone steroids which worked brilliantly.  Apart from all the side effects especially when I came off them the pain was almost non existent from day one.

i have  a little pain now but it feels more like a pulling effect which has been explained to me that it is the tumour which is understandable.  Sometimes I wonder if I try and do too much but I like to keep active.

my back is still a little itchy from the radio and have a slight red square where they zapped it and it was one big dose.   Definitely found it beneficial and would recommend if offered.

Let us know how you get on.  

Hi Ed and Cosmopolitan.  I had my radiotherapy yesterday at 11.00.  The radio didn't hurt at all but boy was I in agony yesterday afternoon and last night.  I took tramadol and morphine it was terrible.  Today it is painful but not as bad as yesterday.  Hopefully in the long run it will help, did it shrink your tumor Cosmopolitan?  I am now waiting for my spinal brace to arrive.  I see oncologist this afternoon.  Hope you are both doing well.  Big hugs.

Lee x

Thank you Cosmopolitan and Lee for your informative replies I am taking my cue from both of you as you are ahead of me. I am surprised how quickly the cancer is progressing. Based on both your experiences I will go with the oncologists recommendation to have the radiotherapy treatment if needed. I will request strong pain relief given your experience Lee and be prepared for Odema. Given that one in three people with metastatic cancer end up with it affecting their spine there does not seem to be many posts about it. Im busy bottling some cider I made in the Autumn it is a beautiful gold colour clear and quite dry. 

Ed

Hi Ed and Cosmopolitan,  Ed have you had a further spread of cancer or do you mean because it is in your spine already?  I do worry about it spreading into the organs but hopefully the treatment will make it stable and stop spreading.  I am still in pain from the radiotherapy.  I saw oncologist yesterday and he said it will first inflame the tumor and then it will start to get better.  From what Cosmopolitan said she can recommend it so thats good news.  I hope you enjoy your cider, it sounds wonderfully refreshing.  We are still making our own wine.  Take care both of you, any holidays planned soon?

Lee x

Hi Lee and Ed I have my full body MRI thus Monday and that will confirm if radio and the Ribociclib are helping in shrinking and keeping my cancer stable.   Fingers crossed as a little bit daunting as to what the news may be.

Cider sounds good Ed but I am not drinking at all not that I was a drinker before.  I was born in Cider Country!  Enjoy your wine Lee

Hi Cosmopolitan,  Good luck for Monday it is a very anxious time waiting for scans and the results.  Good luck.

Lee x

Hi Lee

Good to hear from you and I hope that the pain from your recent radiotherapy soon subsides. The mestastisis is just in my bones and spine plus small nodules in lung not spread to other organs. By cancer progressing I meant how it has gone from a mild back ache to being more painful. The immunotherapy and Denosumab are slowing cancer progress but not halting it. The oncologist has mentioned radiotherapy as an option and I knew both you and cosmopolitan were in for this treatment so I wanted to ask for your experiences. Ive had to postpone holidays until September due to hospital appointment schedules. One trip to Portugal and one to Switzerland (for mountain air not that clinic) planned. Enjoy making beer and cider but dont drink much of it these days friends and family are appreciative though. Hope your day is good and that your back brace gives you relief.

Ed

HI Cosmipolitan 

Ill keep my fingers crossed for you too for your MRI results. Im waiting for a MRI scan too to see in more detail what is happening to my spine and what if any further treatment is availablle. Possibly radiotherapy.

Ed