New and trying not to freak out
Hello all,
While showering 2 days ago I notice my left breast felt very odd. When I looked closer I realized the breast was extremely swollen and felt hard. My nipple had completely disappeared. I called my doctor and was able to see her this afternoon. She scheduled me for a mammogram and ultrasound first thing tomorrow morning. I very clearly have Peau d'organge, inverted nipple and extreme swelling and hardness. It seemed to happen overnight! I am 55 years old and have had biopsies in the past that have been negative. I am trying to not freak out, but cannot imagine what else would be causing all of these strange symptoms if it is not IBC. So, we'll see what comes of all of this. I am praying that it is not ibc and trying to remain positive.
Comments
-
Rosie, I don't have much advice to offer except to say I pray it's nothing serious...but if it is, you'll get through it. Try to stay positive, I know it's hard, but I was able to find positive aspects of my diagnosis, which helped me through. I'm closing in on my year dx, and I've moved on and feel better than I did before I even found out I had it. Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way! Kim
-
Do not jump to conclusions! IBC is rare but some of us do developed it. The vast majority who come here having decided they are IBC aren't. There are other possibilities.
IF (and that is a huge IF) you do get a DX of IBC - it's not all 'gloom and doom' as some say. I was DXd in Aug '09 and am still NED (No Evidence of Disease).
How did you appt go this morning?
Prayers
-
It's a very terrifying place to be in right now, Rosie, but let's all hope for an infection. But as Kicks wrote, even if it is IBC, there is plenty of hope (just passed my 4 year disease free mark).
Please let us know how you are doing.
-
I've had cellulitis and IBC, and they look exactly alike, even to the surgeon. There are many possibilities other than IBC. That's the least likely. Even if you do have IBC, it's not the end of the world. I'm three years NED right now.
-
Thanks for the kind words. I had my mammogram and ultrasound today. Just got a call from PC doctor saying that I have a golf ball size "mass" and I was set up for a biopsy next Friday. I have to wait a week because I take anti-inflammatory meds for arthritis and I need to be off for a week prior to the biopsy. It will be ultrasound guided, which I have had before. I am thinking it is a cyst since it came on so quickly. My concern is that the dr used the term "mass". Maybe I am reading too much into the word. I know that they usually can tell a cyst from a solid mass on us. I have a week until the biopsy and then several days following for the results, so I am going to try to relax and not worry. I am pretty sore right now from whatever this is, so it is hard to not think about it. Thanks to all for listening.
-
Based on my personal experience, that they are waiting a week to do biopsies is good news. It took me a week to get into my PA (she was on vacation and I didn't want to see anyone else) after the node enlarged literally overnight. Saw her at 11 - was at the Radiology Clinic at 1 that afternoon for a new mammo which turned into an US and biopsies immediately. Had the path. report at 8 the next morning - IBC.
You are doing what you should to find out what is going on as something definately is.
I was on Etodolac (sp?) at the time for my arthritis and nothing was said about it at all.
-
My biopsy is tomorrow I am hoping that I hear that I have a cyst or something benign. The mass in my breast has been causing quite a bit of pain. Whatever it is it needs to go! Thanks for all the support and positive words. I pray for each and everyone of you. You have given me clarity and focus and helped me not freak out prematurely. I won't get results until early next week (I think?) but will be sure to update.
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team