Inflammatory Breast Cancer..PLEASE read

[RNMOM]

We just found out my SIL has been diagnosed with this. She has stage III. Upon looking this up I discovered there is no stage I or II. It is a very lethal form of breast cancer and isn't able to be seen on mammogram. Please take a few minutes to read up on this. This is the link I found most helpful, just add the www for yourself.

.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/IBC

The most common symptom is redness on the skin. Often doctors feel it is an insect bite that is slightly infected and give them antibiotics and tell them to come back in a month or so. By then it is spread much farther. This cancer spreads to the chest wall, muscles and bone, and the lymph system rapidly and there is only a 25-50% chance of a five year survival. She is having chemo, then radical surgery and then more chemo and/or radiation after that. Please keep Joni in your thoughts for us.

This woman is all of 4'11" and a real dynamo. She is the kind of person who never says a bad word about anyone and believe me she has had some good reasons to. Both her parents have had difficult medical issues and her children really need her even though they are now grown. I am just still in shock. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. Please, be proactive and read up on this disease that can also affect the men in our lives.

 

[NikitaZee]

I hope your SIL makes a full recovery. A good friend's wife was diagnosed with this type of breast cancer two and a half years ago. She's doing great, back at work and living life with her husband and two small boys. It definitely made me more vigilant about breast health - mammograms and monthly exams - when it hit close to home.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I am so sorry about what your SIL is going through. I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers.

Thank you for your post. I will read up on it.

 

[cm8]

IBC, is a serious form of BC that always seem to go undetected till it has done considerable damage. It can also be confused with Mastitis, so women are always given antibiotics to try and clear it up with no real results. I pray that your SIL will be cured from her IBC

 

[pattibradfield]

I saw the message about the SIL diagnosed with IBC, and had to jump in.
Please educate yourself and others about this. We have a radio show also, once a month, that deals only with education.
I hope you share the information from our website, it is so very important.
eraseibc.com

 

[Hillbeans]

I Always get upset seeing these threads because of what we went through with MIL and IBC. She was diagnosed at stage 4 and had been going for mammograms regularly. Sadly it was diagnosed after my nephew kicked her in he breast accidentally. I honestly don't know what more could have been done, she came to live with us and we took her to one of the best doctors in our area. I sometimes think had she had both breasts removed maybe it'd have bought a little more time but this type of cancer is so aggressive. I will certainly keep your SIL in my thoughts.

 

[RNMOM]

Just a bump for the evening shift.