Mets, then spot radiation to Pop's humerous (arm) to relieve bone pain resulted in an inevitable fracture, which given some time did not heal, which after a pin was inserted resulted in a post op near death reaction. He's still in hospital/rehab care, and struggling, as right before surgery he had (3) fine needle biopsies to rule out a new cancer in the same arm. Now his shoulder and arm have skin-level painful nodules multiplying like rabbits starting at the biopsy point of entry (lymph nodes near the clavicle/shoulder) and springing up and down the lymphatic path in his fractured arm.

I've convinced his rehab team that we need to get him transported to a local cancer center as he can't travel to his CCC for a radiation consult. Has ANYONE here dealt with tumor/cancer "tracking" where a biopsy has brought cells up to skin level causing pain, etc? Any help or referrals appreciated, and I'll be sure to keep you posted.

Im very sorry, I have never seen this discussed on the forum before.

Liza had a similar situation they treated with chemo then did reads. Hugs to you girl - he should be at a CCC. Push and make noise.

Who mentioned the condition, cause it's not common. I have no personal experience, but it seems to have occurred with some cases in the lungs with large bore needle biopsies, not fine needle, to what extent you describe, I don't know. Your father should be seen at the CCC. Don't wait for rehab. Call an ambulate or make other arrangements to be seen by a more specialized doctor, if stabilized enough for transportation. Most think your confined to the nursing home, and just under their care. You can go see any doctor, and go back later in the day. It could be another type bodily response too, but I don't know.

Good luck.

Yes, it is rare Paul, less than 2% from what I'm reading, and like everything associated with our ole friend OC I'm learning more about it. He's been at a CCC all along, but had a post surgical reaction after discharge for an orthopedic pin to secure a fracture--before he even made it into his house he almost died. He's still recovering a week later from that at his current hospital (1.5 hrs from our CCC) as it was yet another rare reaction that no one--hosp, CDC, CCC can identify. So he has 3x setbacks at this point.

He's too weak to commute to his CCC and needs daily PT. His pre surgery biopsy escalated metastasis to skin level on the same arm he fractured, causing more pain and impeding PT progress. Imagine what that arm looks like about now :l The "good" in this is that our CCC team IS working with the CC team at this local hospital, both MOs and ROs know each other and come from the same CCC Harvard pedigree, and his palliative radiation plan is the same whether here or there.

If we were still in curative stage, I'd be carrying him on my back to CCC treatment. Quality of life trumps travel option at this point. What amazes me is the fast progression of these mets. For whatever reason they let me watch his biopsy in May so I know exactly where those needles went in, and within a month that area is now a pool of raised nodes.

FWIW, the CCC MO told us "he's not surprised" re the new nodes and I'm still trying to circle back with him at what he meant...the more I learn the more I'll share. I can confirm that before that biopsy, he had only lytic lesions, not defined tumors per his PET this May.

And thanks Chris and Cheryl--he'll get through this, getting a little better and stronger each day. Chris, he was hitting on his nurse before I left today and has most of the LVH (female) staff enchanted, so he's coming back to us.

heartbroken to let you know that pop begins hospice on Monday. the past 8 weeks have been a roller coaster but now it's steady decline.

Im very sorry to hear your father has not gotten any better and will be starting hospice. He has been thru so much already. Im very sorry!!!

So sorry to hear this Caco. Just enjoy every moment you have with him.
Tammy

So so sorry.