Mother-in-law has IBC

theNannyhold

Mother-in-law has IBC

theNannyhold

Hi,  I'm new to the community.  I have read your discussion boards several times since my mother-in-law (age 73) was diagnosed with IBC on 05/04/10.  (Skin mets on her forearm made the dx Stage IV.)  She started chemo that week.  She has kept an amazing one-day-at-a-time attitude--never one to complain or focus in herself anyway.

She has completed three rounds of chemo and is scheduled to start her fourth tomorrow.  However, she has new swelling in her face, numbness in her mouth and more severe swelling in her arm this week.  (That hand has been stiff/painful since before chemo.)  They have ordered a new CT scan, and they will do an ultrasound on her arm today to check for a blood clot.

Her oncologist here in GA is networking with Dr. Christofanilli--a huge blessing!  Will know more tomorrow when she has her regularly scheduled visit with her onc.  I was just curious if any of you had experienced the facial swelling/mouth numbness and whether it was more likely to be from chemo or the cancer itself?

One more comment about my screen name.  When our kids were babies, Mama could always comfort them and settle them down.  We would say she put "the Nanny hold" on them.  Now we're the ones holding her, and she is as precious to us as each little one was (and is) to her.

Lisa

leisaparis

I haven't had mets with my IBC, so far, knock on wood. I have had alot of chemo. 24 weeks in all and now on maintnance chemo for a year. I did have sores in my mouth and a lot of the other side effects from all the chemo I had. I'm sure someone will come along who can answer your questions. Sorry to hear about your MIL. Good luck and God Bless.   Leisa

theNannyhold

Thanks, Leisa,

Mama saw her onc. today.  The dr. was concerned about the arm, but when she examined the breast and underarm area, she was very pleased with the improvements from this most recent chemo.  Mama went ahead with the scheduled chemo today and will have CT scan tomorrow to see if there is some explanation for the increased swelling in the arm and the new swelling of the face.  Thanks for your post.  I hope things are better on the maintenance meds now.

Lisa