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I have heard of it because I have it. Or at least had it in 1999. I actually had two kinds of breast cancer... IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer) and DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ). That's why once my treatments, surgeries, and radiation were over, my surgeon told me that I had a very aggressive and deadly cancer. According to my surgeon, I had cancer for only 6 months and the one in my breast was the size of a quarter and the one in my armpit was the size of a nickel. The doctor said it can hide in the milk ducts so between that and it having been in a lymph node, that's probably why it came back.

I am very lucky and BLESSED to still be alive today!!!!



I did NOT have any of the symptoms of IBC except for breast pain including the stabbing sensations.

So ultimately if I were you, when it's time for your annual mammogram, suggest an MRI also just to be safe.

Stacy

INFLAMMATORY BREAST CANCER SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

What is Inflammatory Breast Cancer? INFLAMMATORY BREAST CANCER (IBC) is an advanced and accelerated form of breast cancer usually not detected by mammograms or ultrasounds. Inflammatory breast cancer requires immediate aggressive treatment with chemotherapy prior to surgery and is treated differently than more common types of breast cancer. "African Americans have a higher incidence of IBC than do Caucasians and other ethnic groups (10.1%, 6.2%, and 5.1%, respectively)."

One or more of the following are typical signs and symptoms of Inflammatory Breast Cancer (also known as Inflammatory Breast Carcinoma or Inflammatory Carcinoma of the Breast). Most patients do not experience all of the signs and symptoms, and it is not necessary to exhibit all of them in order to be diagnosed with IBC:

* Increase in breast size over a relatively short period of time (sometimes a cup size in a few days)

* Pruritus (itching) that is unrelenting and unrelieved by oral drugs or topical agents

* Erythema (pink, red, or dark-colored areas) sometimes with peau d'orange (texture similar to the skin of an orange)

* Ridges and thickened areas of the skin

* What appears to be a bruise that does not go away

* Nipple flattening or retraction

* Nipple discharge

* Breast is excessively warm to the touch

* Breast is harder or firmer than usual

* Breast pain which is not cyclic in nature (may be constant or stabbing)

* Change in color and/or texture of the areola (pigmented area surrounding the nipple)

* Swollen lymph nodes in the axillary area (underarm) or the supraclavicular area (above the collarbone)

* Although a dominant mass is present in many cases, most inflammatory cancers present as diffuse infiltration of the breast without a well-defined tumor.

* Rarer cases have been reported in which the first sign was lymphedema (swelling) of the arm

* Another rare case was reported in which the breast decreased rather than increased in size, but this is very unusual.

These signs and symptoms may be present in benign (non-cancerous) breast disorders so do not immediately become alarmed if you exhibit any of these signs and symptoms, but do consult your medical professional to ensure quick and proper diagnosis.

You now know more about the signs, symptoms and seriousness of Inflammatory Breast Cancer than almost all of those you know or will meet. Spread the word and help to save lives; and remember, You don't have to have a lump to have breast cancer. Mammograms and Ultrasounds are not enough.

These symptoms often appear with IBC because the cancer is fast-growing and blocks the lymph vessels in the breast and skin. All of the listed symptoms may also be present with benign breast disorders. Different women have different symptoms, and although IBC is normally associated with infiltration of the skin lymphatic system, in some cases there may be no visible skin changes.

IBC is a serious illness, although techniques for treating it have improved a lot, and survival rates are rising. Some recent studies show about 40% survival five years after diagnosis, and here are relatively few recurrences after five years. Men can get IBC too, although it is extremely rare, and it has been documented in girls as young as 12. Two thirds of patients are post-menopausal at diagnosis.

The dark pink is the IBC surrounded by the white area containing white blood cells.


Thank you; and hopefully, because you have become more educated about IBC...lives WILL be saved. Pass the word along.

Check out this URL for more info: http://www.ibcresearch.org/

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I saw Dr. Hahn yesterday for a follow-up and for bloodwork to check my counts. He was content with both.

My WBC's (white blood cells) were 4.1.
Normal range is 4.8 - 10.8.
Remember the white blood cells fight off infection.

My RBC's (red blood cells) were 3.37.
Normal range is 4.20 - 6.10.
Remember the red blood cells help carry oxygen throughout the body. If you're not getting enough oxygen, you will feel more fatigued.

Since my RBC's were a little low, Dr. Hahn wanted me to get a shot to improve them. I will be getting Procrit instead of Aranesp from now on because I 'feel better' on Procrit. I will have to get that in the tummy but I can handle it as long as I can more it up.


Remember my nurse Tracey that left back in June? She was replaced by a very sweet woman named Vicki. Vicki lives in Harford County so she found a job at Upper Chesapeake Hospital as a cancer navigator. It's a brand new position. When a woman first finds out she has breast cancer, Vicki will walk her through the whole process. I wish her well. It was a brief stay at Good Samaritan but I can understand why she wants to be closer to home. I'm sure gas prices have something to do with it. GOOD LUCK VICKI!! I'll miss you!

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Sorry I haven't posted much in the last week and didn't respond to anyone. I was having major cable modem problems. Everytime I'd get into this site or other sites, the computer would reboot itself. So I went out and bought a completely different modem and hooked it up over the weekend. But I had to wait until today to call Comcast to have it activated. So I'm back!!

I finished my 2ND ROUND OF CHEMO last week. I'll see Dr. Hahn this Thursday for a check-up and bloodwork.


This passed Thursday was the day for the Neulasta shot (helps keep white blood cells up). The shot is in the belly and it hurts... not as bad as the Aranesp but it still burns. I never look forward to it!!


Well.... my nurse gave me the syringe to hold and try to warm up since they are refrigerated. I held it for about 15 to 20 minutes so it was good and warmed up. I got up to get a drink and she saw me. She apologized and said she had forgotten I was there. It was real quiet in there that day. So she came out and gave me the shot. Warming it up makes a huge difference!!!! I barely even felt the needle. It's the medicine in the syringe that is painful and I didn't even feel it. I told Jeanette to make sure I warm up all syringes in the future for at least 15 minutes!!!!!

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EVEN THOUGH I STATED IT ABOVE THAT MY X-NURSE, KAREN, WAS CORRECT ABOUT THE DRUGS I GET ON WHICH DAYS.... I WANTED TO CORRECT IT IN THE TOP SECTION ALSO IN CASE IT'S THE ONLY PART THAT IS READ BY OTHERS.

KAREN AND TRACEY WERE MY NURSES FOR MY FIRST ROUND OF BREAST CANCER IN 1999.

THIS IS MY "GRADUATION" PICTURE FROM CHEMO ON 12-23-99. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT...

KAREN, ME, TRACEY, MOM


THANKS AGAIN KAREN FOR THE HEADS UP.

I GOT ATIVAN AS AN ANTI-NAUSEA DRUG, ANZAMET, FOR ANTI-NAUSEA, AND DECADRON AS PRE-MEDS. I LIKE THAT ATIVAN!!! MADE ME SLEEP THROUGH THE WHOLE THING AND GET A GREAT NIGHTS SLEEP!!

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