Bone cancer discovered

Hi @wolfhound1966, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll notice that I moved your message to the Cancer group: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/cancer/

I did this to connect you will other members who have a type of bone cancer, like @ilovedaisies @danielad and @kristennursepatient. While we wait for others to join in, here's some info from Mayo Clinic
- About Bone Cancer https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bone-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20350217

Wolfhound, do you know what type of bone cancer yet? Chondrosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma or osteosarcoma? Are you to see an oncologist first or a surgeon?

Hi @wolfhound1966, I'm tagging @danielad and @kristennursepatient again in the hopes they can pop in and offer some tips and experiences.
I wish you all the best with the biopsy on Thursday. Did they send any information about visiting the hospital at this time of COVID-19? Some hospitals are restricting numbers and may not allow someone to accompany you. Are you going to Mayo?

@colleenyoung and all -- I wrote a reply which "disappeared" in thin air ... Operator error I would guess, but really frustrating!
I apologize for my "lack of presence" but have been very ill with severe dehydration brought on by a viral gastroenteritis. Was in the hospital, but was dismissed as soon as I could stand up! I didn't know you could have such terrible labs, EKG, CT scans, etc. and still be alive!

I was, and I am. Take heart everyone; there is light at the end of this, and many other tunnels!

Colleen, you are right, at least in Virginia, NO VISITORS in any hospital or surgery center is the mantra. My husband had to leave me at the front entrance of the ER and picked me up at the Hospital Main Entrance when I was dismissed, 2 days later! It makes for a VERY lonely experience. Of course, most of us don't go to a hospital ER unless it is an emergency. Still, though happy they could try to make me feel better, finding yourself "totally" alone is not a great feeling.

We need to consider perhaps how to discuss this particular aspect of going to any ER or any hospital and being psychologically prepared to be alone, for hours and/or days. It's a new experience for most everyone. I am not one requiring a lot of company at all; I had my cell (with my charger) and kept in touch with my family. BUT it was a psychological challenge.

Particularly so when suddenly, every cell phone in the ER, and every speaker began to blare out the strident sound of an alert. I just happened to have a doctor by my side ... The looks of fear and confusion I saw in her eyes were unmistakable ... I quickly looked at my phone and it did not show the usual "This is a Test of ...". It was THE real thing. The Governor had just ORDERED the entire Commonwhealth's (non-emergency essential) population to stay home and all medical facilities and personnel to prepare for a ramp up of COVID-19 patients. I felt I was stopping traffic!

Again, I apologize for being "absent" in the past few days. I couldn't control nausea or vomiting and reading made it worse, of course. Before I try to post this, I also wanted to add that I am going to have a series of tests for "potential" bone cancer ... All of which will be postponed for a while, given the situation we are in. So, I am not going to be terribly useful at present. That said, I send my best wishes to @wolfhound1966 and anyone else who may be struggling with a bone cancer diagnosis.

I have taken another nausea pill ... but it is best if I stop reading, writing, and even "thinking" and take another nap.

Stay in the game. Don't panic, it is going to get better in a few weeks.

-- Dee

@colleenyoung and all -- I wrote a reply which "disappeared" in thin air ... Operator error I would guess, but really frustrating!
I apologize for my "lack of presence" but have been very ill with severe dehydration brought on by a viral gastroenteritis. Was in the hospital, but was dismissed as soon as I could stand up! I didn't know you could have such terrible labs, EKG, CT scans, etc. and still be alive!

I was, and I am. Take heart everyone; there is light at the end of this, and many other tunnels!

Colleen, you are right, at least in Virginia, NO VISITORS in any hospital or surgery center is the mantra. My husband had to leave me at the front entrance of the ER and picked me up at the Hospital Main Entrance when I was dismissed, 2 days later! It makes for a VERY lonely experience. Of course, most of us don't go to a hospital ER unless it is an emergency. Still, though happy they could try to make me feel better, finding yourself "totally" alone is not a great feeling.

We need to consider perhaps how to discuss this particular aspect of going to any ER or any hospital and being psychologically prepared to be alone, for hours and/or days. It's a new experience for most everyone. I am not one requiring a lot of company at all; I had my cell (with my charger) and kept in touch with my family. BUT it was a psychological challenge.

Particularly so when suddenly, every cell phone in the ER, and every speaker began to blare out the strident sound of an alert. I just happened to have a doctor by my side ... The looks of fear and confusion I saw in her eyes were unmistakable ... I quickly looked at my phone and it did not show the usual "This is a Test of ...". It was THE real thing. The Governor had just ORDERED the entire Commonwhealth's (non-emergency essential) population to stay home and all medical facilities and personnel to prepare for a ramp up of COVID-19 patients. I felt I was stopping traffic!

Again, I apologize for being "absent" in the past few days. I couldn't control nausea or vomiting and reading made it worse, of course. Before I try to post this, I also wanted to add that I am going to have a series of tests for "potential" bone cancer ... All of which will be postponed for a while, given the situation we are in. So, I am not going to be terribly useful at present. That said, I send my best wishes to @wolfhound1966 and anyone else who may be struggling with a bone cancer diagnosis.

I have taken another nausea pill ... but it is best if I stop reading, writing, and even "thinking" and take another nap.

Stay in the game. Don't panic, it is going to get better in a few weeks.

-- Dee

@wolfhound1966 Let me add my welcome to Mayo Connect, as @colleenyoung has also done. It's always scary to receive news like you have, isn't it? Do you have a support system around you, whether it is family or friends, who are able to rally to your side [keeping social distancing in mind, of course!] I am glad your dr is acting quickly in this matter.

Your doctor may have a cancer center he would refer you to, as there are several in the Portland area. I would poke around at their websites and see if there are any who have a Mayo-trained specialist. Not to sound one-sided, but I do know from my own experience, a Mayo-connected oncologist is the best around! I personally go to Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Research Center, in Eugene. I know it would be a bit of a drive for you, at about 100 miles. But I drive from southern Oregon up there 115 miles each way. My dr is Christopher Yasenchak, a Mayo Clinic-trained specialist, who oversees my multiple myeloma [a blood plasma cancer].

We look forward to hearing from you after your CT guided biopsy today. We are here to support you through this time.
Ginger