From IBD to Metastatic Cancer ...

It is difficult to say exactly when this saga began. About six years ago I simply began to feel run down and generally weak with very few specific symptoms. The simplest activities left me totally exhausted.

After literally years of numerous doctor visits with a multitude of different physicians, I developed a GI bleed and was subsequently diagnosed with Crohn's disease. The assumption was that this malady was the crux of the problems I had experienced. Unfortunately, the treatment for the Crohn's was ultimately more damaging than the disease itself and resulted in autoimmune hepatitis as well as excruciating arthralgia related to autoimmunity.  Add to this the already painful but well treated degenerative arthritis and type two diabetes and you get a woman who was fast becoming old before her time.

Nonetheless, I persevered and during the latter part of last year began to feel better than I have felt in years.  My Crohn's disease and hepatitis appeared to be in complete remission (amazing the effects of Prednisone and Bud light), the bullous disorder that developed in September appeared to resolve on its own and my diabetes was well controlled.  The only issues that remained but did not have a negative impact on my steadily increasing, incredible energy level were a nagging pain in my right shoulder that radiated down my arm and over to my neck, and some other aches and pains in my hands and knees.  Physical examination of my shoulder indicated a likely rotator cuff issue and I had several weeks of physical therapy.  Alas, the pain in my shoulder persisted and, indeed, accelerated.  So we got an x-ray ...

I suppose my CA Saga began with that x-ray. The orthopaedist saw nothing obvious to indicate rotator cuff issues but did notice what appeared to be a weak spot in the end of the humerus closest to my shoulder.  She ordered an MRI which showed an obvious lesion in the bone.  She contacted my primary care physician and the trek began.  

Nine quarts of blood, a gallon of urine, a full body bone scan and an excruciating bone biopsy resulted in good news and bad: The good news was that the lesion in my arm appeared to be the only site in my body; the biopsy, however, revealed Metastatic carcinoma of unknown origin.  I was absolutely stunned!

Since receiving this news on May 29th I have been poked and prodded and turned in every way but inside-out. I completed radiation treatments to my shoulder the 28th of July and began working on August 3rd. A repeat PET/CT on September 18th revealed continued cellular activity in my humerus as well as new activity in the back side of my pelvis.  Another bone biopsy on the 25th showed the same as before: metastatic cancer of unknown origin. 

In spite of all the poking and prodding and multitude of tests and examinations, there is still no clue as to what or where the primary cancer is.  Doctors here are incredulous.  Even the doctors at Duke Cancer Center could offer no additional insight.  Sigh ...