Scared but no DX yet

laurainVA

Hi,

I'm 38 yrs. old.  A week ago I felt a small marble size bump at the top of my aerola. I dismissed it since it was during my cycle and my Gyn has said not to exam during my cycle.  Then Sunday as I got into the shower, I noticed a very large bruise on my right breast at the top of my aeorla. It is dark yellow & green with some purple at the top. It is about 3 inches long and very irregular shaped but NOT sore. I ignored thinking it will heal. Each day this week as I looked at it, it was not getting better.  Part of me thinks, certainly this size of a bruise I should have pain.  Well today I started googling and really examining myself.  My right arm pit is swollen compared to the left, I have what appears to look like a nodule (I don't know all this lingo yet) where my arm meets my torso. I did squeeze and do have discharge.  There is what I believe to be thickening underneath the bruise, the skin is tougher.  I don't have the orange texture like appearance I keep reading about.  I am scared to death!  I called and made appt with Gyn for Tuesday, he is out of town.  My husband is out-of-town until Sept 5th and my 17 yr old son leaves for a weekend beach trip and don't want to worry them. I have told my cousin/best friend. Is there anyway I can just show up at the ER to get my tests done?  I will probably lose my mind by Tuesday.  Any suggestions to get seen earlier with Labor Day weekend?  Can I just start calling dr's and does a dr. have to order and refer me to an oncologist?  I have Blue Cross and don't think I have to have referrals. I have never been sick and never go to dr's so I'm sure on all of the logistics.  Any help you can give a very scared woman would be appreciated since everything I read, time is of the essence.

-Laura

julieup

Hi Laura,

My name is Julie. I found this site too when googleing some of my symptoms on my breast. I was scared to death. My dr. ordered a MRI and I just had a biopsy...waiting for results. But I wanted to tell you that I was really afraid but the surgeon that did an exam of me and did my biopsy said he does not think it is IBC. I am telling you this because we can work things up in our minds that are not true...I will be praying for you tonight and for God to grant you peace through His son Jesus. From what I have read it sounds like most IBC has a VERY itchy breast too which you don't sound like you have. My process has taken about three weeks and after i talked my doctor into giving my antibiotics I have cleared up a bit. I had a swollen breast, extreem pain but no other symptoms except a slight thickening on my left breast (I am also nursing my baby)

This is a good picture of progression. If you have anything that looks like this I would not hesistate to go into emergency for you peace of mind.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://catalog.nucleusinc.com/imagescooked/7401W.jpg&imgrefurl=http://catalog.nucleusinc.com/generateexhibit.php%3FID%3D7401&h=432&w=343&sz=25&hl=en&start=4&um=1&usg=__4vxYMVE5ggjZ3rH6H2D2bMBcM5g=&tbnid=9vx3LEkixdAMIM:&tbnh=126&tbnw=100&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dinflammatory%2Bbreast%2Bcancer%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4GPTB_enUS290%26sa%3DG

I have a 17 year old son too.

Hugs and prayers of peace,

Julie

julieup

oops, I noticed it did not bring up the picture but if you put Inflamatory Breast Cancer in your google bar then go to the top and hit images you will see charts with progression and pictures. These helped ease my mind alot . Also remember IBC is VERY rare.

laurainVA

Hi Julie,

Thank you. I have been trying not to "imagine" more symptoms. (my back & neck started hurting and I do think that may be psychological lol)  The only thing that is giving me hope that it isn't IBC, is I do not have the redness, itching or severe swelling.  I am just scared over the marble size bump, bruise, slight swelling and inflammation under my armpit.  Something is going on.

The pictures did help.  I will be patient and wait for my appt. on Tuesday and see what my dr. thinks.  At least I am educated what to watch for now and the next few days I will watch it very closely. 

I have been praying off and on this evening and will continue to pray. I have to give it to Him and I am struggling with that now.  I will also pray your results are negative and everyone I have read about with IBC here.  Education on this really needs to get out there. 

Thanks again Julie, it did help to calm me down. 

-Laura

cm1122

Hi Laura, I had breast cancer and went through treatment, and now have symptoms consistent with IBC, however I have not yet been diagnosed. I'm praying that your symptoms are something else, maybe an infection or blockage that is easily treatable. That being said, when you see your OB-GYN or regular doctor, if you still have concerns, please have them refer you to a doctor (usually a breast surgeon) who is experienced with breast cancers of all types. Then, IF cancer is involved, they will refer you to an oncologist. The thing I have read that scares me the most is the number of cases where the patient was told not to worry even when the condition didn't improve. IBC is "often mis-diagnosed as an infection" however, as rare as it is, the symptoms usually ARE an infection. Quite the catch-22, huh? Take care, and please keep us posted. I know that waiting is the worse part!!

shrink

Hi Laura:

 I'm glad you're seeing your gyn but you should also schedule an appt. with a breast surgeon to do a biopsy next week to be sure. I don't think the ER can help you with scheduling those things.  I had a bruise, swelling and pinkness and swollen nodes in my arm pit.  Not everyone has the same symptoms. I had no itching.  In fact, my skin biopsy came back negative although my core and needle biopsies were positive for IDC and ILC.  The diagnosis of IBC was made because the onset was so sudden and because of the bruise, pinkness and swelling.  This is a long weekend and I know you're worried but a three day delay won't mean anything in the long run.  Try to surround yourself with distractions and people who love you.  You're on top of this and that's good.  Please let us know what's happening.  A good site with much info and support is ibcsupport.org but don't overload yourself with information just yet.  Breathe deeply and often and know we're thinking of you.  If you have a PPO (personal choice health insurance), you don't need a referral.  You could call to make sure.

julieup

Hi again Laura

I am still lifting you in prayer, Just remember that God is good and to cast your cares on Him as you wait.

Julie