Well, as I mentioned in another post, I finally feel like I have met a dr. who
is 'with it' in terms of looking at the presenting problem in the most logical
of ways re my on-going shoulder and upper arm pain which has only been there
four 5 months, hurting mostly at night--with occasional numb patches on forearm
and numbness in a few fingers.  We didn't deal adequately with the whole spine
issue but at least this is a start on the 'right' track.  I am seeing spine
dr's for that--although am not sure they would be the ones I should be seeing
if there is anything metastatic going on there.
Then there was tonight.  My younger two daughters talked of seeing a movie with
us.  I hadn't paid much attention to the title but my husband and I were
talking of going to Friday night services at our temple.  Tonight was the night
for a special prayer to be said in honor of my father who passed away 20 years
ago--it is traditional to say this prayer while in mourning and then once/year
at time of his passing.  We were late getting started but decided to go--am
glad I went--was comforting at the same time makes me uneasy -- too close to
home.
Afterwards we met the other girls for a 10:15 movie--"The Big Fish."  I hadn't
know what it was about.  Both my daughters thought it was great--and cried.  I
thought it a bit "too close to home."  It was a good movie but it involved a
man dying of cancer...not what I want to see for entertainment these days.
Then tonight I got an email from my breast cancer 3-day team inviting me on a
hike in a new canyon area tomorrow at 7:00  (yikes I better get to bed).  I
need that--it will get me out of the funk I don't need to be in--the one where
I won't admit but my actions are not as productive as I like--a bit too
emotionally self-centered.  So, off for a hike tomorrow.  Most of these gals
are doing the L.A. Marathon.  I don't know if I am going to do it, but my
husband took off that weekend in anticipation...
The walking sure helped whatever was going on before.  My cyst or mass
improved--at least I think it did--spine dr. is still out of town.   It
decreased in size but the previously smooth edges (which is why the spine dr's
thought it was a cyst) and less clear (which is more suggestive of a mass).
And then reading about my othr neurolgical symptoms--bilaternal tingling,
progressing upwards, discomfort in spine--all look like spine related
stuff--but then again maybe only degenerative changes from the Arimidex and my
imagination is getting away from me.  
And the best, I think, is the result of the latest blood test.  A friend
recommended I check out the AMAS blood test--anti malignan something or other.
I called the co. in Boston and was sent a free kit.  I had to get an order from
a dr. and then have the blood drawn at a lab--and one that knew what they were
doing.  I did that Wednesday.  The lab I went to does this test fairly often.
Then they shipped it Federal Express to Boston and they had it there yesterday.
I got the results today--normal--YAY.   Now there is a 5% chance of a false
positive and a 5% chance of false negative, but it is supposedly more accurate
than the CEA or CA 27.29 in identification of active cancer cells.  However, I
asked if that included metastases to the bone.  I was not given an answer on
that, though.
Normal results can mean normal as in NED but normal can also imply advanced
metastatic disease as well.  That sounds a bit confusing.  I think I am
relieved that the results were 'normal' but concerns had not yet been fully
relieved.
Meanwhile I have had alot of shoulder and upper arm pain, which has gotten
increasingly worse.  Hopefully I will get another Zometa infusion next week,
although am thinking of asking if I can get it before my next appt.  Oh well,
better get to sleep.  Hoping all enjoy the weekend.