I had surgery to remove Stage IB breast cancer (only 1 Sentinel Node involved) on Aug 31, 2009. I finished 4 rounds of Chemo Dec. 2.  However, it appears I broke my back-T11 and possible T10 on Nov 2 after a free "massage" for cancer patients. This happened when I got home and my back was in pain. As I usually do for back pain- (I've had it for 30 yrs or more), I lay down on the floor on my back. Something was terribly wrong! My spine was up off the floor, very different than usual!! I am thinking when she pulled my legs, she adjusted my spine counter to my scoliosis.  As I lay there, it CRACKED really loud and fell to the floor.  Upon getting up, I was in a lot of pain.  Regular X-rays showed nothing wrong.  I took Vicodin 10mg every 4 hours during the day for at least the first month.  It took them 6 wks to figure out I broke my back, meanwhile I'm walking around!!

At one point I sneezed violently one month after the break, and my back fell forward like on a hinge and I fell forward- luckily I was in front of my bed!!!  My Dr. ordered a Bone Scan, CT of my spine, and MRI.  The Radiologists had only the history of me having breast cancer.  Like I said, my back has been hurting me for 30 yrs.  They read the Bone Scan and MRI as Mets to the Bone.  However, the CT results showed a compression fracture.  I asked for one Radiologist to read all the reports with the history of chronic back problems in mind.  Two Radiologists read them and said what they saw is consistent with Bone Mets.  I have read that when Breast Cancer spreads, it usually goes to the bone first.  I'm so confused and frightened!!  If this is the case, how could it spread so quickly to my Spine?  I was told that my Breast Cancer was ER and slow growing.  I got my back brace fitted today to protect it from further fractures.  I had an appt scheduled with my Oncologist Dec 31.  He felt I should wait more than a week before I see him to find out the treatment plan!  Luckily the nurse got me an appt for this Monday.  It feels like I'm going crazy with grief and trying to be hopeful!!  It seems like if he felt there was something he could do to help me, he would have insisted I get in sooner that Dec 31!

   I had thought my next big hurdle would be to get through 7 weeks of Radiation to the Breast!  Now, I'm thinking this new development could kill me!!  I don't know if they are going to want to do surgery on my back.  I saw the MRI films and no tumor was seen. I'm going to ask that they refer me to UCSF which is a major Medical Center that treats Cancer and I've heard they are on the "cutting edge" with research.  Has anyone had a similar situation?  Thanks.