Scan Results

I had scans (MRIs) on my brain, spine, and hip due to concerns following an appointment with a physiotherapist my oncologist referred me to. I've been having some lower back pain and hip pain and a tingly leg (on and off). Those symptoms combined with some "off" reactions to reflex test (that could involve the brain) instigated the order for the scans. Results are in and...

My brain is fine! 🎉 

I have a pars defect or spondylosis on my lower back (where the white line crosses through in the top left picture). From Wikipedia:

"Spondylolysis also known as a pars defect or pars fracture, is a defect or stress fracture in the pars interarticularis of the vertebral arch. The vast majority of cases occur in the lower lumbar vertebrae, but spondylolysis may also occur in the cervical vertebrae."

My doctor's suspicion is that my biological mechanics after my DIEP (breast reconstruction) surgery sort of woke up the spondylosis. For example, a rugby tackle freshman year of college may have caused a defect that I didn't notice until now, because apparently it's something that isn't detected until later in life. 

I also have bursitis in my hip, which was probably in part due to the hormone therapy I'm on. There was one kind-of-but-not-really suspicious spot on my hip that is probably nothing but I need a PET scan on within the next two months to "put it to bed."

Where do I go from here? Physical therapy and some meds for flare ups. I'm honestly just thankful my brain is fine. 💗