Scared... not so sure what to do?

kdenter

HI My name is Kerri. I found this site years ago when my mother was diagnosed with Breast cancer. Hers however was not IBC. She later passed and lost her battle in 2006. 

However, Im writing today as I have had a scare myself.

I know that IBC is not related to the type of bc my mother had but, this is my story.

I recently, had an injury to my breast. Well I think I did. I remember going, OUCH MY BOOB!

Well as life is so busy you never stop to see or look at the moment so I can't even pinpoint it exactly. But I took my shirt off and there it was a black and blue large bruise. It even had a part that looked like a bleed under the skin. Sorta like older folks get when they bump themselves. I also had bruised my shin and knee in my little incident so I thought that it would heal like those bruises. Well the bruise on my left breast started to disappear. I was like COOL. But I noticed a large lump then. With a small red patch where the bleed uses to be. So immediately with my family history I got a mammogram the next day. With and ultrasound. Of course they saw the lump and the ultrasound showed it to be a hematoma(sp). The woman who did the ultrasound said the lump looked like fluid to her and in that case a hematoma could take a year or more to dissolve possibly.. I could see it on the screen as well to a black hole in the tissue. However, my concern is this red patch left still where the blood spot under the skin was. Its not warm to the touch so far and my breast is not sore or larger. My Dr. told me to come back in 6 wks and they would redo the ultrasound and look at it again. All that I read to be sure its NOT IBC is to have a biopsy done. Do I wait a few weeks and see if the red patch goes away, or DEMAND a biopsy now! It could be my imagination but the lump already feels a little smaller.....

Thank in advance to all you wonderful women!

Kerri mom of 5! 

mrsnjband

Hi Kerri,

I had IBC but I don't believe that doing a biopsy would diagnos IBC.  IBC has others symptoms that go along with it.  I had pic'de orange, skin looks like orange rind, itching, no tumor with mammo or ultra sound.  It took an MRI to even find the 3 mm (size of a pea). 

What kind of doctor are you seeing?  After 10 days of anitbiotic with no improvement, I was sent to a breast specialist.  She was finally able to find the cancer.  That process for me took 2 months. 

Do want you need to do for peace of mind.  Hoping for you that it isn't IBC. NJ

kdenter

Wow Norma! I was sure a biopsy would do that trick. Im fortunate enough to have daughters who work with my regular DR. So getting done what I want pretty quick is doable. My daughter actually called an oncologist who they work with and know, and they suggested first taking my films to my GYN and then she could give me a second opinion from what the radiologist said that did the mammogram and the ultrasound. I want to jump right to a biopsy! Maybe I need a MRI of the breast instead or in addition. Also, I have read that hormones do not have much factor with IBC.  but notice alot of you list the hormones that were you were positive for. I had a hysterectomy with my ovaries removed when I was 26 and I'm now 42 and I never did hormone replacement therapy because of my mother's breast cancer that was definitely Estrogen positive ect..... However, I have VERY VERY large fatty breasts and its so hard to be able to tell whats in there half of the time. Anyway, thank you Norma for responding. I'm going to be on the phone tomorrow to look at my options ASAP. I'm really hoping this is a result of an injury. And I hope the very best for you with your IBC as well! HUGS!

leisaparis

For me, a biopsy was the only thing that proved positive that I had IBC. None of the other tests showed anything. I am ER-/PR- so no hormone theropy for me. I also had most of the symptoms, but a lot of women only have like a bug bite or a rash. Not everyone has all of them. Hoping you don't have IBC. Good luck and God Bless. (((HUGS)))

kdenter

Well I'm pushing for a biopsy and to see a breast specialist. My Dr. had to fax all the info to the breast specialist including my ultrasound that said it was a hematoma to get a pre-autho for my insurance to be sure they would even see me! Man... Time is of the essence.. But not for them I guess. Who knows though, they may get back to me today..?......