Mom diagnosed, we think it's inflammatory

ask927
ask927 Member Posts: 3
edited April 2015 in Caring for Someone with Breast cancer

Hello everyone,

While I am a cancer survivor myself (Lymphoma), it seems like breast cancer is a lot more complicated to understand. I never thought I would meet another day during my lifetime where this disease would wreak havoc in my family again... but yesterday, we got the dreaded call that my mom's biopsy came back and it's invasive breast cancer. What made us not overly concerned when she started going to the doctors, she went because of an enlarged, swollen breast, not the lump typically associated with breast cancer... so we thought mastitis, an infection, cysts. During her biopsy, they drained over a liter of fluid from her breast! We won't have a meeting with the oncology team until a week from tomorrow and the waiting for answers is excruciating, especially knowing she may have a very aggressive cancer and time matters! After asking a friend who is a doctor as well as a great deal of googling, we believe it is inflammatory breast cancer. If anyone has a family member who is dealing with this, I would appreciate if you could share your stories with me so I know what we have in store. I am just finding it really odd how she had all of this fluid drained three days ago and it has already returned!

Since I was 24 years old, I have been battling illness after illness, cancer, autoimmune issues, even a recent heart attack... but NOTHING has been as difficult as dealing with the diagnosis of a loved one. I have been so used to be the sick one, I don't know how to be on the other side of the fence!!!!

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Comments

  • lovecat3
    lovecat3 Member Posts: 53
    edited April 2015

    hello sorry to hear about your moms possible diagnosis of IBC

    IBC is quite rare

    I was diagnosed 5/2010

    You can private message me I'd be happy to answer any questions

    A skin biopsy is needed to confirm IBC

    It is very important to find an oncologist with experience treating IBC

    It is very aggressive standard of care chemo first surgery possibly more chemo depending on initial response then radiation

    Important to know if Her2+

    Where do you live

    Sending prayers and hugs

    Deb



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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited April 2015

    Hi ask927, welcome to Breastcancer.org. We're sorry for what you and your mom are going through, but we're glad that you found and joined this wonderful community full of knowledge and support.

    Besides learning from other member's experiences and advice here in the boards, it may also help you and your mom to read through the pages of the main Breastcancer.org section called Breast Cancer 101, that will help you understand test results, the individual characteristics of the cancer, treatments that are recommended for her, and more.

    Hope this helps, let us know how everything goes.

    The Mods

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  • ask927
    ask927 Member Posts: 3
    edited April 2015

    lovecat3, thank you for your response. Hope you are doing well. We live in Illinois, about a half hour from Chicago. The surgical onc hasn't said anything to us yet except it's breast cancer. It's the fact that she's so swollen and red that has us leaning towards inflammatory. We have to wait a whole week to find out more. Btw, not sure if your screen name means you actually like cats but if you do, my two fur babies are my sanity right now!

    Moderators, thank you as well.

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  • lovecat3
    lovecat3 Member Posts: 53
    edited April 2015

    hello yes I'm a cat lover actually for many years a registered nurse for cats now a cat sitter that's what keeps me sane and the beach love the ocean warm sand n sunshine

    How's your mom doing? You?

    As you know the waiting is HARD it is very important to find an oncologist that is experienced in treating IBC

    It is almost always stage 3 at time of diagnosis but there are many of us still here! I went from stage 3 to IV in 18 months but here! I'm her2+ and have been on Herceptin for 21/2 yr

    You may want to visit the Inflamatory Breast cancer site also on FB

    There is ALWAYS hope

    Last Sept after 4 years of a concaved chest I had a DIEP flap!

    I'll be thinking positive thoughts for you and your mom

    Here for you

    Hugs

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  • ask927
    ask927 Member Posts: 3
    edited April 2015

    I just noticed that your name is Deb, my name is Anna btw : ) I am so glad to hear you are doing well, it helps to hear good stories! I have been trying to research a little of everything on basically every website I can find - it's a little overwhelming to be honest. My mom is still in denial and shock.... I think because I have battled the ugly beast called cancer, I have accepted the reality a little better and have been working very hard at trying to keep my mom in positive spirits although it has been hard, especially when I am sure she can see that I am just ready to crack!

    Thank you for your positive thoughts - I will post an update once we meet with the oncologist (I don't know much about him except a friend of a friends mom used him and thinks he is great. I am pushing for her to go to the university hospital where I was treated but she's refusing at the moment!)


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  • Meadow
    Meadow Member Posts: 2,007
    edited April 2015

    Thinking of you and your mom, you are a loving daughter! Deb, hello to you too.

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