Do Doctors Answer Questions here?

Guest · Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 7:15 pm Post subject: Do Doctors Answer Questions here?

I am new to this format. My name is Martha Anne and I live in Ridgefield, Connecticut. I am 44 years old.
I finished my treatments 2 years ago for ductal breast cancer.
I was just sent for a lot of tests by my doctor.
He is away so I can't speak to him.
I just got a copy of one of my tests in the mail.
It was a CATSCAN of my abdmin and pelvis.
It says under the "Impression" section "Of Note: Presence of multiple sclerotic foci seen in the left pelvic bones. Clinical correlation is advised"
Does this mean I have cancer in my pelvic bone?!
I can't reach my doctor and I don't know any personally and short of driving to the Emergency Ward and asking one of the doctors there to tell me what this means I have to wait all weekend.
Do doctors answer these threads? Do any of the members know about what this wording means?
I am not telling my husband. He barely made it through my cancer and I don't want to upset him if this is something silly.
Thanks.
Martha Anne

penelopez · Senior User Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 165

Hi Martha Anne,

Yes. There is a Dr. Leo who answers the questions but he is very busy....gets here when he can. Hopefully, he'll be around over the weekend to answer your question. I hope you get good news.

Good luck and hugs,

Margie

P.S. I was born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut!

riesesdad · Guest

You can also try the people at

http://www.breastcancer.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php

There are lots of knowledgeable people there also (not doctors I believe but still lots of information)

Good luck!

Pastor Rich

Hi Martha Anne;

Don't jump to conclusions!!! I am not an expert but some quick research indicated that sclerotic foci are connected with a number of different bone conditions.

Dr. Leo called this suffering by anticipation, I think. It certainly fits.

When my wife was diagnosed and we got the path report, I read it wrong and thought it meant that the interior mammary lymph nodes were positive. This would be critical. It turned out that I had misunderstood the labeling system used to identify the samples.

I also suggest you tell your husband. He will know you are holding something back. He may have trouble holding himself and you together but the two of you are stronger together than apart on this.

Blessings,
Pastor Rich

Guest

Thank you. I went to the other forum and posted my question there too as you suggested.
I tried looking it up and couldn't find anything. So you found bone problems? Maybe I am ok then? Thank you too for your advice about Michael (my husband).
I will just keep waiting to see if the doctor reads this. If they answer me on the other one I will come back and tell you what they said.
Regards,
Martha Anne

Martha · Guest

I see the doc came and went.
I haven't been able to get a soul to help me.
Everything I looked up on the internet says it is bone carcinoma.
I never felt so alone or scared in my life.
I don't think I could do chemo again.
Thanks anyway to everyone who answered me.
Martha Anne

Pastor Rich

Hello Martha;

My prayer is that tomorrow when you call your doctor you will feel a huge weight lifted off your chest. And, until then, I will pray that the peace of God guards your heart and mind.

Have a great day (seriously!),
Pastor Rich
_________________
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phil 4:6-7

Martha · Guest

Thank you Pastor Rich for responding. I can't tell you how crestfallen I was when I saw the Doctor missed my post but answered others. I am just so frightened. I know this doesn't look good. From what I saw on the internet the exact same wording is used for bone cancer from Breast Cancer.
I am at a loss as to what to do. This is the worst feeling in the world.
Thank you again.
Martha Anne

Pastor Rich

[quote="Martha"]From what I saw on the internet the exact same wording is used for bone cancer from Breast Cancer.
Martha Anne[/quote]

That is true, but definitely not always. Out of 9 causes, cancer is only 1 possibility. From what I just read, even vitamin D or floride can cause sclerotic foci.

Blessings,
Pastor Rich
_________________
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phil 4:6-7

MuttsMom · Guest

Martha,
Just my opinion, but I don't think your onco's office would have given you a copy of your report IF there was anything in there that was bad, like bone mets. He/she would sit you down and tell you and go over a treatment plan. On all my tests/scans I have, the last sentence is "there is no evidence of metastisis (sp) at this time". What does the very last thing on your test results say? If you don't see the word mets or metastatic, then I'd be shocked if it was talking about cancer.
I don't come on the board much, but please e-mail me when you talk to your onco and get an explaination.
I know the waiting is SO hard.
Hang in there
Nancy

Martha · Guest

Thank you for responding. In Connecticut everybody gets the report at the same time in the mail. I got mine on Friday and my Doctor was away. I have been waiting all weekend PRAYING the doctor here would answer me. He hasn't. I went to the other forum someone suggested and got a few responses but I got some PMs that were really kind and supportive. But they told me that it could be no one is answering me because they don't want to scare me because it is clearly mets.
The last line of my report says the line about the Sclerotic Foci and that a clinical follow-up or further testing is advised ( I don't have it infront of me it is downstairs next to the kitchen phone)
I called my doctor's office first thing. They said he was swamped. He also had surgery after appointments. I called three times. Still no return phone call. I asked if one of the other doctors could explain it - or even his PA and they all said that HE HAS TO.
I know this is bad- I just want to know HOW BAD.
I am really disappointed the doctor here doesn't answer everyone.
Best of luck to all.
Martha Anne

MuttsMom · Guest

Hi Martha,
I'm no doctor and I don't know what your report means and I wish I did, but him avoiding you because it's cearly mets makes no sense to me. I would think he'd have you in there and getting a game plan started. I know when I've called for results, if anything shows up, the doctor has to be the one to talk to me and it's NEVER been mets. I pray that is what is going on there. I would call today, tell them that your mind is imaging the worst and you need to talk to the onco TODAY. Better yet, go to his office and sit there until he can see you. I'm sure he's busy, but YOU are as important as anyone else. You need to know, the waiting is torture
Hugs and prayers

You said: But they told me that it could be no one is answering me because they don't want to scare me because it is clearly mets.

SamUK · Guest

Hi Martha, I know exactly where you're coming from - this is the scariest place to be. I think it is irresponsible to give you "results" that you cannot interpret and leave you to imagine the worst.
I'm no doctor, but I think the wording would be different if it was mets - something like "worrisome for / suggestive of mets" - you do not have anything as clear-cut as that. It could just be "wear and tear", or the beginnings of arthritic changes.
I really hope you get to speak to your doctor soon and get some peace of mind.
Let us know how you get on,
Sam

SamUK · Guest

Hi Martha, I know exactly where you're coming from - this is the scariest place to be. I think it is irresponsible to give you "results" that you cannot interpret and leave you to imagine the worst.
I'm no doctor, but I think the wording would be different if it was mets - something like "worrisome for / suggestive of mets" - you do not have anything as clear-cut as that. It could just be "wear and tear", or the beginnings of arthritic changes.
I really hope you get to speak to your doctor soon and get some peace of mind.
Let us know how you get on,
Sam

leo · Contributor Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1575

Martha,

First of all, sorry for the delay. This is not my primary job, but I try to stay on top of the new questions.

Anyway, about your question about "sclerotic lesions". This means that there are areas of new bone formation. The radiologist can not say for sure if this is cancerous or not. But in your situation, you will probably need more evaluation, as there is a chance that this might be metastatic disease. I am not sure what tests will be, but MRIs, PET scans and bone scans could be used.

I hope all goes well.

regards,
Leo
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Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

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