You have mine -- I had a problem with my arm that was caused by my not raising it over my head for several months due to my port. But that was muscular. It would be good, I believe, if they were wrong about that. But on the plus side, in five years I have been on this forum, I have never heard of AML causing this type of an issue. So if it is metastasis or something of that nature, it would be a rare thing. Perhaps others have had similar experiences -- dave

I'm praying for Jo, as always. I agree with Dave's comment.

Blessings
Julie

Praying for Jo, for a quick answer from the MRI and just another small bump in the road. The nuepegon shots (fi she is even taking them) can cause some bone pain, but probably not like that.
DaveJ

My brother also had some hand pain, so intense that he wanted to cut his hands off at one time, but it wasn't the leukemia in the bones. They weren't even really sure the cause because once he took the stronger pain meds it eventually went away. This was almost one year ago.

Prayers for a good MRI result. Hoping this is a passing thing like with Jack.

We have an answer on my sister's arm pain and it is "good" news. There is no other cancerous process going on. She is apparently severely anemic in her bone marrow due to the prolonged chemo. The doctor says that it usually starts in the long bones and moves out from there so it is also what was causing her neck pain. She will have to take medication and change her diet and that should help alleviate the problem. Although she is not allowed to have half the things they are telling her to eat to help fix the problem so I'm not sure how that is going to go but, in my opinion, still good news!

Debbie

Yes, as I thought -- it was connected, but to the chemo and not the AML. As I recall (maybe others can help here), the only cases of metastasis have been where the chemo for something else actually caused the AML. I always thought blood cancers would have high levels of metastasis, but since not hearing of any directly on this list in five years, I am thinking it might be rare. But one case is too many.

I am sure the doctors are doing their normal balancing act for Jo -- she has sure been through a lot. Hopefully light at the end of the tunnel before too long. We will be praying for her. Take care -- daveB

Well, they have now determined that the pain in my sister's arm is more than anemia. Her MDA doctors said that the anemia would not cause pain with mobility so they did another MRI going all the way up the shoulder and discovered a torn rotator cuff. She will need surgery to repair it but she will not be able to have the surgery until she finishes chemo treatments in another 9 mos or so. Instead she will get steroids shots every few months until she can have the surgery.

She doesn't know how she did it. The doctor said it was due to prolonged chemo, age, and poor blood supply due to her habitually low platelet counts. :( At least she finally knows what is causing the pain. One more thing to deal with, my poor sister. I wish I could take it all away for her!

Very pleased to hear it was not some sort of rare spreading of the cancer.

Torn rotator cuffs are not pleasant, but also not life threatening. The surgery is a year long recovery with most folks past 50 aiming to get back to 85% or so of normal.

You know where to focus in the near term. Prayers for you both and I look forward to hearing of everything being well enough to head to surgery. That will be good news!

John

They keep advertising this Willow Curve thing -- I wonder if that would not be worth a try before surgery. Still praying for your sister and entire family -- daveB

Continuing prayers for your sister and you as you support her through all of this.