Dear one,
I would not feel "done" as you described it, but
would ask for a biopsy. I
went to my PCP immediately after noticing the ridges (common
for IBC because
the cancer infiltrates the lymph system and clogs it). I had
pain in that
breast for a couple of weeks, but thought I just slept on it
wrong. My
breast was also swollen and warm to the touch.
I had a mammogram 6 months before, but he ordered another
one. He also sent
me to a breast surgeon who did an ultrasound in his office.
That showed
nothing. So when I went to the hospital for my mammogram,
they did an
ultrasound there, too, since it is far more powerful than
the one in the
surgeon's office. This mammogram and ultrasound also showed
nothing. Then I
had the biopsies and that is what confirmed that I have IBC.
Chemo began
immediately after. All this happened in just a matter of 2-3
DAYS! And I am
here because of my PCP's knowledge of IBC and his tenacity
in getting the
tests done quickly, and pursued it until we had a diagnosis.
I truly hope you do NOT have IBC, but if I were you, I would
insist on a
biopsy for your peace of mind.
Let us hear from you -- we really do care.
Linda, Mesa, AZ
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chevere33 juno.com" <chevere33juno.com>
To: <ibcibcsupport.org>
Sent: Monday, December 18, 2006 11:03 AM
Subject: [ibc] need your opinions
I am 43 years old with no other apparent health problems. I
haven't
nursed a baby for about four years. I still menstruate
regularly.
Last summer, my right breast swelled up quite a bit (they
are normally
large but it was obviously quite swollen), but I massaged it
down. I
kept an eye on it, and not long after that (within a week?),
I began
having pain in my right armpit and I could feel something at
the right
edge (from my viewpoint) of my right breast. I thought it
was swollen
lymph nodes, so I began exercising more and drinking like a
gallon of
distilled water each day. The pain under my arm went away;
the swollen
things did not. Within a month, there was a swollen
"mass" like a ridge
under the things I assumed were lymph nodes. I could also
massage this
mass away at night. The swelling of my entire breast has
not returned
since the first day. The ridge is still there most of the
time, and is
harder to massage away. When my physician felt the ridge,
he
immediately ordered a mammo and ultrasound, which showed
nothing. He
also wanted a biopsy, but the surgeon I saw said that he's
not worried
about it, the little things I am feeling are NOT lymph nodes
because he
says they are "further down", and what I have are
"normal breast
changes". Multitude of questions:
1) Is any of this "normal"? I mean, would one
breast swell for no
apparent reason?
2) If those swollen things on the right side of my breasts
aren't lymph
nodes, what are they?
3) Why would I have the ridge thing and the underarm pain at
the same
time? Weird coincidence?
4) Should I feel "done" or would a biopsy make a
difference.
I should feel relieved, but I don't, really.
Thanks for reading this, and for your comments.
____________________________________________________________
____________
Try Juno Platinum for Free! Then, only $9.95/month!
Unlimited Internet Access with 1GB of Email Storage.
Visit http://www.juno.com/value to sign up today!
--
** List address: ibcibcsupport.org
** Information - subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, etc.:
** http://www.ibcsupport
.org/list/
** Donations: http://www.i
bcsupport.org/donations.html
--
** List address: ibcibcsupport.org
** Information - subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, etc.:
** http://www.ibcsupport
.org/list/
** Donations: http://www.i
bcsupport.org/donations.html
|