IBC....maybe

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Ilovemywife
Ilovemywife Member Posts: 3
edited June 2014 in IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)

My wife was diagnosed in April after giving birth to our son, she was diagnosed with stage 2 triple negative, non hormonal BC. After 4 treatments, they switched her chemo to another drug. While doing blood work for the 5th treatment, nurse noticed a red rash on my wife's breast. 2 weeks later, within 2 days her breast doubled in size and looked like IBC. Doctor said it's most likely not IBC but wasn't sure. Also said chemo is not working and were going to switch over to radiation and chemo pills. I'm lost and I can't imagine how she must feel. We have applied to MD Anderson for 2nd opinion. Any thoughts on what the heck is going on?? I feel like hospital is dragging there feet on this and I'm running out of time....

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  • Sherlocked
    Sherlocked Member Posts: 46
    edited August 2012

    Well you're doing absolutely the right thing, taking her to MD Anderson.  You're on the right track and you'll have answers soon.  IBC is different from other bc, and is treated differently.  They will help you at MD Anderson!  The only real caution, which doesn't seem like an issue with you currently, is that you do not let your current doctors perform a mastectomy...chemo is done and completed before that for we IBCers. 

    If for some reason you can't get in at MD Anderson (which I can't imagine), go to Fox Chase Cancer Center in PA, or one of the other few IBC clinics (I think there may be 4 now).  Don't waste time and effort going to another Oncologist that does not specialize in IBC.

    Best of luck - IBC is a terrible burden but it is treatable and our statistics are consistently improving.  By the way, the stats on the internet are old, you really can't get valid statistics for IBC because understanding and treatment has improved by leaps and bounds in very recent years.

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  • Ilovemywife
    Ilovemywife Member Posts: 3
    edited August 2012

    Thank you for responding back. It's good to here these things. Thank you for giving us some more hope!

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  • chester2010
    chester2010 Member Posts: 101
    edited August 2012

    I'm glad to hear that you are getting a second opinion at MD Anderson, it is important to see Drs. who are familiar with IBC as it is rare and aggressive.  After giving birth our bodies do have lots of changes but you and your wife are very young and need to have sound professional help quickly. You are obviously a wonderful support.  Good luck and stay in touch, we will help when we can.

    Kathy

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  • Ilovemywife
    Ilovemywife Member Posts: 3
    edited August 2012

    Thx, I will. We are just waiting on an appointment now. After her oncologist discussed her case with an oncologist from MD, they recommended no radiation now but chemo in the pill and intravenously. FYI. I'll let you all know what happens...

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