On a scale of it will be fine to totally fucked how bad it this?

[fortifiedwithtea]

I am 55 years old. I have been complaining of pain for years. But 18 months ago the pain suddenly got worse as in more widespread. I felt ill. The doctor did some blood tests. Nothing came of it.

I continued as I was until Davina McCall did that programme on the menopause. That’s me I thought. Had another phone gp call. But the go said he wanted to rule out arthritis before recommending HRT.

I delayed the blood test until I could get a blood test done with my daughter. We both have disability so kill 2 birds with one stone.

Daughter’s gp rang her last Monday, And advised her course of treatment. As thursday I rang for my results confident nothing heard meant negative. Well Who ever I spoke to told me apart from low Vit D and pain markers up no problem. Great I thought have my holiday and arrange for HRT appoints when I get back.

However , today is our first full day of our holiday and I got a call from a gp at our surgery.

Things are definitely not fine. Blood test shows a protein which indicates bone cancer. I may have to fly back early. Its really urgent. Doctor thinks I will need a bone marrow biopsy and bone scans.

Oh fuck!

Wait until you have more information. For now can you TRY and focus on relaxing??

@LivingInABuildingSite

The new current pain is left hip. Pain never leaves me night and day. Standing still is agony I am better to keep walking. This is the course of many rows with DH. He will say stay here and I will bring the car to you. And i reply, no the pain is worse standing still So I’ll walk with you. And he doesn’t get it.

That's really scary news, OP, but please don't jump to conclusions now. I know how hard that is, but try not to worry too much this week.

@fortifiedwithtea so sorry you have this news to deal with, when in fact you can't deal with it. You can just wait, and that's horrible. I will be sending all the good health thoughts your way.

Please listen to those who said there are so many options for treatment now - it does not mean the worst. It doesn't. Hold that thought, for now.

OP best wishes to you. One day at a time. Once you have more info you can move forward. And as pp say - treatments and science are brilliant these days x

@SheldonesqueTheBstard

tea

I’ve seen you here and there on here over the years. (Back in the days when it was a bit green fields and the locked gate to the gobby bugger field kept me in check)

I’ve nothing useful to say but I’m keeping everything crossed for you.

I sincerely hope that your ‘oh fuck’ changes to a ‘thank fuck (it isn’t what you fear)

Sending positive thoughts and best wishes. 🌻

Thank you for that. You brought a smile to my face. I don’t recognise your your name. I used to be active on the guinea pig threads and of course threads revolving around my daughter with learning disabilities.

Glad this is not the ‘other’ site and we can have a bloody good swear if we need too.

I had blood results that suggested bone cancer years and years ago. Had to have a scan and it came back all clear. Eventually the blood results just returned to normal. So I wouldn't panic just yet.

I hope that is the case @romdowa.

Sucks that I got the news on holiday though. Doctor has told me I must not do anything more high impact than walking. We have a boat trip booked , a sea safari to hopefully see dolphins. Its one of those high speed boats that look like a life boat. Doctor says no, its too Bouncy.

I said, you are worried I’ll break my hip. Doctor explained how if I break a bone the cancer will need to be treated first . It sounded complicated

Oh I’m not at all memorable!! I used to name change a bit until I let my inner sheldon free and I am many versions of a sheldonesque these days 😉

Although we are similar in age I remember your name as my nan always said she was fortified with tea (and with cigs too) most days.

I smile when I see you around.

I can provide all manner of swearwords should you need to let rip. I will only ever be addressed as hun if there is a double barrelled curse in front of it.

Wishing you well 🌻

Sending all good wishes and positive vibes

How awful for you, sending you a virtual hug and best wishes for the future. Xxx 💐💐💐

@SheldonesqueTheBstard

Crikey what a worry! So will you be coming straight home?

If it helps, I got a call from the GP one night sending me to haematology there and then and talking about bone marrow biopsy etc. I drove to the hospital to find staff all in masks etc (wayyyy before covid) and was more than slightly freaked out. I had bloods done in the afternoon and GP had me in hospital by 7pm ish
Wasn't cancer, I have a rare autoimmune blood disorder

What is the protein?
I used to work with bloods and have seen all manner of weird results. Not surprised you’re worried but keeping everything crossed it’s just a weird anomoly.

Sending you big hugs and lots of good wishes xx

What a devastating phone call to take - im so sorry 💐

I’m never good with words in these situations and usually end up saying something inappropriate.

I hope you can enjoy the rest of your holiday and being around your family, before you fly home and get the ball rolling for treatment x

It could be Myeloma which can cause widespread pain. If it is then the treatment is usually good and the illness can be controlled usually.

hoping the gp is talking about worst case scenario.

Mgus and Myeloma can present as bone pain and paraprotein in bloods, Im recently diagnosed at 32, its terrifying to start with, but do lots of research, join support groups and do not Google!
I hope everything becomes a bit more positive, good luck

@Bellabluea I don’t know. The doctor was dumping down his words. The conversation when “about your blood test..... I am sorry to tell you over the phone...this can’t wait.....we have these funny little proteins ...your results indicate... bone cancer.

Followed by me explaining we were on holiday. Him telling me not to do anything high impact. Me saying you’re worried I’ll break a hip. Him explaining what would happen if I did. I am pretty sure he said malignant and the next word could have been myeloma, not sure . I was in shock. My husband has the repeated version recorded on his phone. I have not been brave to listen to it.

@Babyroobs

It could be Myeloma which can cause widespread pain. If it is then the treatment is usually good and the illness can be controlled usually.

Sorry I didn't mean to say the treatment was good - I meant to say effective and can control the disease.

[quote fortifiedwithtea]@Bellabluea I don’t know. The doctor was dumping down his words. The conversation when “about your blood test..... I am sorry to tell you over the phone...this can’t wait.....we have these funny little proteins ...your results indicate... bone cancer.

Followed by me explaining we were on holiday. Him telling me not to do anything high impact. Me saying you’re worried I’ll break a hip. Him explaining what would happen if I did. I am pretty sure he said malignant and the next word could have been myeloma, not sure . I was in shock. My husband has the repeated version recorded on his phone. I have not been brave to listen to it.[/quote]
Perhaps multiple Myeloma?

So sorry you have this to deal with.

I deal with cancer scares by putting my energy into getting the appointments and tests etc all in line and then not putting energy into worrying. I defer the worrying till I get the results of the tests, as they may of course be negative.

It works for me so far, though of course we are different.