IBC as secondary?

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BarbaraJo50
BarbaraJo50 Member Posts: 108
edited June 2014 in IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)

Ladies, any insight will be appreciated. In October I was 2 years NED. I had prophylactic R MX in May 2011. A few weeks ago I woke to notice a red area on my r chest under mx scar. I thought I slept with the tv remote under my body. When it was still there a day later I thought the redness could be from wearing a bra and prothesis...that maybe the rarely worn prothesis was not laying correctly in the bra and that it rubbed me raw. A few days ago it came to me that this lingering redness could be IBC! I do feel it "deeper" than the skin. My chest area is swollen. At first I thought the swelling was "normal" because I missed a few weeks of lymphedema therapy; DH had back surgery. He is doing much better, but now I feel that I am falling apart. I have an appointment with my oncologist on thursday the 12. I do not know if I can wait that long!

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  • BarbaraJo50
    BarbaraJo50 Member Posts: 108
    edited January 2012

    Just truing to "bump" this post. Any thoughts?

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  • ma111
    ma111 Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2012

    Did you have a lump at the first one?

    glad you bumped it up.

    Make an appointment with your breast surgeon so she can do a punch bx. Let them know it is urgent. If they cannot see you quickley, some family doctors will do a skin punch.

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  • BarbaraJo50
    BarbaraJo50 Member Posts: 108
    edited January 2012

    Thanks ma for checking in.

    I had a few lumps. The largest was more than 6cm. I made the appointment with the oncologist. My plans are to call again on Monday to see if I can get in sooner. Seems to me I need chemo immediately.

    I am trying to be calm but really I am freaking out! I thought I was going to be one of those TN who moves on for years NED. But in reality I think this F*ing C is in my ribs and sternum.

    A question. Would this be a new cancer since the first was IDC-TN?   

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  • ma111
    ma111 Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2012

    You would have to have a bx before chemo! Make an apointment with surgeon.

    Weather or not it would be considered a new one would depend on the bx results.

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  • BarbaraJo50
    BarbaraJo50 Member Posts: 108
    edited January 2012

    I will call the breast surgeon tomorrow. I think I am going to have my DH take a picture of it and send it to both the surgeon and the oncologist. I will go to whoever will see me first.

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  • chester2010
    chester2010 Member Posts: 101
    edited January 2012
     I know it's not easy but try to stay calm until you've seen the doctors, try not to let your mind take over with the worry.  After surgery and treatment we do get all kinds of aches and pains and rashes which we immediately believe is cancer.  It`s a good idea to take photos and I do hope that the doctors can set your mind at rest.  I pray that it`s not a return of the cancer.  Keep in touch. We`re here to listen and help when we can.
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  • BarbaraJo50
    BarbaraJo50 Member Posts: 108
    edited January 2012

    Thank you chester. I am calm on the outside but when I come here to the boards I know I can let it go a bit and freak out. It is going on four weeks that I have had this, but on thursday is when it finally clicked into my brain what I am dealing with here.

    I was so into taking care of my husband that I really didn't put much thought to it at all. As he started getting better is when my symptoms started getting worse. The rash area stayed pretty much the same but now I feel it "deeper". I am swelled for a woman with out a boob. It is a bit itchy. The skin is thick. I am sure what it is. F*ing C.

    Last time I went to the oncologist I went a bit earlier than the regular 6 months because I thought I was getting a bit short of breath taking the stairs. She even asked if I wanted an MRI and I said no. Let's just wait and see... Why didn't I go with my gut then? (OK, just getting that out once. I will not beat myself up over it.)

    I hope I can get into the breast surgeon tomorrow...biopsy here I come again.

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  • chester2010
    chester2010 Member Posts: 101
    edited January 2012

    It is the place to vent and let our your worries as we all know the fears of this nasty disease or a recurrence and it's always the question of whether we should pursue symptoms.  I was like you and felt I was getting out of breath when we were on  holiday recently and walking up any stairs or a hill but I didn't pursue that either!!  You have had a stressful time looking after your husband and sometimes things are stress related.  I pray that the Dr. can set your mind at rest that this is not the cancer again but make sure that you get all the tests done quickly.  Good luck and keep in touch.

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  • BarbaraJo50
    BarbaraJo50 Member Posts: 108
    edited January 2012

    I have an appointment tomorrow around noon with my breast surgeon. I am so glad she is squeezing me in. I will also keep my appointment with the oncologist on thursday.

    Now, life has to move on. I need to pay the car insurance and get a few groceries. This afternoon I will make my list for the dr appointment. I want to be well prepared as I doubt if she will have more than 10 minutes to spare tomorrow.

    Thank you chester for being there for me. I really appreciate your thoughtfulness.

    And by the way...have YOU gotten your shortness of breath looked at?

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  • chester2010
    chester2010 Member Posts: 101
    edited January 2012

    I'm glad to hear that you have an appointment tomorrow and do keep the one with the oncologist - and a great idea to have your questions written down as we do tend to forget once we're in the office and our heads spin with anxiety.  Hopefully they will rule out cancer.

    I did not get my shortness of breath checked out!!  I see my Oncologist next week so will mention it again.  He has checked out my breathing with the stethescope and all is well there. Best of luckk.

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  • Angel874
    Angel874 Member Posts: 11
    edited January 2012

    Let us know Barbara!  Seems like we have appts pretty close in time today!

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  • BarbaraJo50
    BarbaraJo50 Member Posts: 108
    edited January 2012

    Will be in the waiting room till Friday's biopsy results.

    DH is still talking like it is a rash. He can be wonderful sometimes. He is hiding how scared he is about this.

    Flannel pants and a nap are calling me!

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