Hi,
I haven’t posted on here for 4.5 years. My mum was dx Dec 2006. 2 tumours in breast, most nodes affected. 6 rounds of chemo, radiotherapy then Herceptin. August 2010 tumour on scar tissue under arm where nodes were cleared. Liver, bone and lung scans were clear. Surgery to remove the tumour but no further treatment as she had already had radiotherapy in that area.
Since the surgery she’s been complaining about her breast being swollen and discoloured (red and bruised). Check up in January and she was told not to worry, side effect of surgery.
Check up today (has coincidentally developed lymphodema, she thinks). There is a rash under her breast going across to her cleavage area (clavicle?). Drs concerned, biopsy on Thurs. She says she’s had this rash since the surgery last August but wasn’t concerned as her breast has been so discoloured and odd for so long.
Having googled the symptoms, always a mistake I know, it sounds to me like IBC.
I’m not even sure why I’m posting, maybe for some hope - if it is IBC, and if it has been there for 10 months, can it be treated? Drs have advised her to assume it is cancer because of her history. Google results keep telling me how rapidly it spreads, arrggh!
Stressed out daughter x
Hello stressed out daughter
You don’t say how old your mother is or how old you are. My poor daughter is also stressed out as I discovered I have Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. I am finding it easier to deal with than she is at times. Do yourself a big favour and do not google. You are not a fortune teller, don’t worry about the future, trust the experts and let your Mother listen to their advice.
I do hope that the biopsy results give you hope. Did you know that there are around 2 and a half million survivors of cancer in America? Positive thoughts are winging your way from me.
I am a trained reiki healer and I have found that reiki does keep me centred and calm. I am not touting for business as I only do it on family and friends and not for reward.
Come back and update your post please? You may find it helps to share your concerns on here with people who are experiencing similar hic ups in their lives.
Debbie
Hi Debbie,
Thanks for your reply. I am 34, my mum is 59. I’m not exactly a little girl but I do feel like one at times!
I have never tried Reiki but anything that manages stress has to be a good thing.
I will update when I know more.
Hi, so sorry you have found yourself back on here, I was dx with IBC in February, I had a rash on under side of my breast for about a month before I sought a doctors appointment, the rash more or less told us there and then it was IBC, the ‘rash’ looks like a raised orange peel effect, obviously not orange in colour.it did spread quite quickly from about a 2cm circle to maybe 10 cm in about 4 weeks. I also presented with Pagents on my nipple. I really hope your mum gets good news after her biopsys etc…Try not to google , I made that mistake and as it turned out most was out of date , the rest very scary and not applicable anyway.
My thoughts are with you and your mum, I have 2 wonderful daughters ,they have given me the will to fight this ,they are similar in age to you, they are my rocks as I am sure you are for your mum.
Let us know how things turn out.
Hugs Jean
Thanks Jean,
Your post has made me fill up - in a nice way!
I have now seen the rash. It looks red, scabby and bumpy. The scabs look kind of black. The Drs said they had never seen anything like it before - no idea if that’s good or bad. Not itchy or uncomfortable at all apparently. I didn’t notice an orange peel effect - I was looking out for one after lots of googling yesterday. Now I’m wondering if it might be skin mets. It’s hard not to race ahead with possibilities - I have always had trouble being patient!
What treatment are you having? I hope it’s going well.
Thanks so much for taking the time to reply - it means a lot 
Hi Penguin,
I think from how you describe the rash its not IBC but I’m not a doctor,the tests should help with diagnosis. I am having 6 taxotare,carboplatin and Herceptin, followed with MX and full node clearance, then rads. I have secondaries in my lungs so herceptin is for life,I have just had the 4th chemo.
If it turns out to be IBC, the treatments are very good now, its the diagnosis that’s difficult, so try not to worry.
Jean