just diagnosed

KMwillwin2

      I was just diagnosed with IBC on 7/16/09. I have no rash or anything, as of yet. My symptoms started out only around  6/21/09 with my right breast burning and tenderness around the nipple area. Then I noticed  a lump and pains started under my right arm. My breast was red at times, off and on, and felt real full. I went to my PCP and he set me up with appointments for diagnostic mamograms at the UWHC, here in Wisconsin. From then, things have been happening very fast, which I give the doctors there so much credit for. I had an ultrasound after my mamo,  which showed 2 tumors in my breast and 1 under my arm.  I had biopsies done the following week and the fine needle aspiration under my arm showed cancer cells in the lymph nodes. We didn't even wait for the pathology report to get back, I saw an oncolgists the very next day. The next day I had a ct scan and mri. The next day a heart test and then the very next day started chemo. The plan of attack for me is 16 weeks of chemo, then surgery, followed by radiation treatments. The ct scan looked fine, which was a major relief to me because I was so scared that it had already spread to other places. I am not looking forward to the long road ahead, but I am staying as positive as I  can about totally curing this invador. I am in a good hospital, with fabulous doctors, and together we got stared attacking this in the best way we know how.

shrink

I'm glad you found us but am so sorry that you're going through all of this.  Your treatment sounds on track. You're doing all that you can.  It's all overwhelming I know. You will find lots of support and information here.  Please stay in touch as you travel this road.  It's great that the CT was negative.  For myself, the chemo was scary but I felt OK all the way through.  As soon as the IV started, I felt as if I were doing something proactive to fight this disease, one step at a time. There are many folks here doing well many years later.

Visit ibcsupport.org for additional info and support.

KMwillwin2

Yes, I am glad that I found this site too. I will try to check back regularly and update my progress.Thanks to all who listen and are there for my support. It is greatly appreciated.

lexi4

Hi Kathie,

I am sorry that you are here, but welcome you. Sounds like a good medical team and I am hopeful that the chemo will blast those nasty bc cells.Chemo is no fun but doable. Hang in there and know that you aren't alone in this.

Hugs and Prayers,

Lexi

KMwillwin2

Thanks ladies. Yes, so far my doctors and nurses have been wonderful and very concerned and informative. They also put my case on their weekly discussion group, so there are more doctors and radiologists opinions involved also on which is the best plan of attack against this. I read one post on here where the lady said her doctor wouldn't talk to her about certain things. My doctor told me he had all afternoon and would answer EVERY question I had for him. It sure helps to have so many nice people involved. It makes it a little easier to deal with this for me.

mrs_X_Sunneedazee

Kathie, I am sorry you have been diagnosed with IBC, but I am glad you were able to catch it quickly, and it sounds like you have a great medical team taking care of you.  Which chemo are you doing?  How are you feeling?  I hope that you have good results and are able to handle it without too many ill effects.  It is so discouraging that the treatments for cancer can be worse than the disease itself!  Please keep us posted!

KMwillwin2

Right now I am doing Adriamycin and Cytoxan every 2 weeks for 16 weeks. Then that is followed by Taxol and if needed, Herceptin.To my surprise, I am feeling pretty good so far.It is not near as bad as I had feared at first, although it's bad enough. I hope each treatment doesn't get worse. Yea, you shouldn't have to hurt so bad to get good again, I know what you mean there.I am hoping that we caught this early enough to get in control here. I will never quit fighting it, no matter what. I don't like to lose, as I am sure nobody else does either. I am determined to come out of this and keep living my life as if it never showed it's ugly face.  I will stay in touch and wish all of you here the best too.

 "Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage, and confidence in the doing"