Hello to all and I cannot believe I am posting on a cancer forum, but, here I am. I hope all is okay and the diagnosis is correct and not IBC. Just looking for input at this point. Last Sunday I noticed a quarter sized red place on my left breast. I probably would not have noticed it but it was VERY painful, like a boil maybe. I shrugged it off. Monday evening, it was the size of a tangerine, raised and hot as hell and my breast was obviously larger.THERE IS A DISTINCT LUMP IN THERE. Tuesday after work, it was much larger, still fevered and painful with itching and I could actually feel something happining within. I know that sounds weird, but I can still feel it randomly. Went to the ER and they sent me home with antibiotic scripts and a diagnosis of cellilitis. The next morning, I got an appt. with my Ob/gyn. I saw her NP and as soon as she looked and attempted to feel my hot tamale, she went immediately to fetch my Dr, I was then told it is......Mastitis. I am very leary and paranoid. I have done a months worth of research and feel I may have been misdiagnosed. I am taking the antibciotics, and the fever is about gone, the redness has changed color from the reddish brown to a more "bruised" appearance. Size of the reddened area is still about the size of an orange. Can still feel the lump. I still have shooting random pain from the top of the breast to my nipple. I have noticed that I am exteremely drained and need to rest or nap by 2 in the afternoon. I have not had a temperature through all this. I will go Tuesday to the breast center for tests, on my own as my Gyn wants me to wait until the 5th to see her and then decide what to do. Am I outta line? Anyones' symptoms like this, especially the color change??? Thanks to all and hoping for the best.
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Gg08 Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 877 |
Oct 31, 2009 11:14 pm
Gg08 wrote:
I would go see a breast specialst, one that knows IBC (you can ask if they have experience with IBC). I would take quick action and have urgency about it because IBC is very aggressive, not like other breast cancers. Demand a biopsy to start, then a MRI or PET/CT scan. Gyn's are not a breast specialist; in my opinion, the gyn no longer needs to be involved in it. Be your own best advocate and when you call to make appointments for this stress that you think it may be IBC and you want to rule it out. ibcresearch.org lists symptoms and is very helpful. Many doctors do not know about IBC and don't understand it's aggressiveness. Prayers, Bonnie Bonnie - IBC 03/2008, 4/18 nodes,ER+PR+HER2-.God is Good.
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cheers247 Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 256 |
Oct 31, 2009 11:23 pm
cheers247 wrote:
I agree with Bonnie, follow your instincts!! Be sure to keep us posted on what you find out. I'll be thinking about you! Much Love, Jessica Jessica, Age 34 bilat + ALND & total hyst 10/09.
Diagnosis: 4/17/2009, IBC, 2cm, Stage IIIc, Grade 3, 2/21 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+ |
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glamorousu Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 23 |
Nov 1, 2009 03:50 am
glamorousu wrote:
Thanks Bonnie & Jessica forr input. I just have a strange feeling about this and I have read enough to know time is not on my side. My sister had both breasts removed at Johns Hopkins in January '08, my mother had uterine cancer in 1969 and a radical hysterectomy stripping lymphs, and another one of my sisters has cervical cancer. So, my family history is not good. I can never remember having a normal pap as l had a supracervical hyterectomy in May 08 due to endomyosis. I do however remember my paps being class 4 (pre-cancerous cells) Strange as it seems, at this point I am relatively collected. My DH on the other hand is a basket case.I will keep you informed and make no mistake, I am a squeeky wheel, so they really do not want me to be obnoxious and rude to get the tests done...but whatever it takes. |
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IBCsunny Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 6 |
Nov 2, 2009 01:45 am
IBCsunny wrote:
You absolutely have to go with your gut. I did, and many days I thought I was nuts! I thought those closest to me thought I was overreacting. At first, it seems so hard to jump on the bandwagon of thinking you have something wrong, because you don't want be right. And you may not be, and that would be wonderful. But you need to be able to know for sure. But, it is your responsibility to obtain second or third opinions until someone you feel you can trust either rules it in or out! You don't even need to feel like you are being obnoxious or rude, it is your life you are talking about and don't forget that. |
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Gg08 Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 877 |
Nov 2, 2009 06:05 am
Gg08 wrote:
Well said Sunny. Glamour, sorry you have all that cancer in your family... sounds like you are well informed and ready to get answers, good for you. Keep us posted. Bonnie-IBC 03/2008,4/18nodes,ER+PR+Her2-,God is good
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glamorousu Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 23 |
Nov 2, 2009 06:43 am
glamorousu wrote:
Thanks for the support. I just know that there are so many things to worry about and get done. One would love to think that the healthcare community should NEVER be one of the worries, but a comfort. I will keep you girls posted. Thanks again! BeckieO
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glamorousu Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 23 |
Nov 2, 2009 05:05 pm
glamorousu wrote:
UPDATE! UPDATE!! I called my obgyn this a.m. to get an order faxed to my local breast health center. Two hours later...she had her NP call me to say she was NOT going to fax the order because she was not in favor of me having a diagnostic mammogram or ultrasound due to the fact there could be an abcess and it may rupture under the mammo!!! She wants me to continue antibiotics and see her Thursday!! I am livid. I immediately called my old obgyn and he will see me Wednesday and I can rest assured he will take action and put my mind at ease. I was a fool to switch Drs' I guess. The NP gave me no reason for my having mastitis, and could not or would not answer any questions for me with certainty even after I broached the IBC subject. I will be sending the hospital system a letter in regard to her, and if I am dx'd with the dreaded, she has a big surprise coming. Thanks for letting me vent.Sh$%T BeckieO
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Gg08 Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 877 |
Nov 2, 2009 09:58 pm, edited Nov 13, 2009 12:29 AM
by Gg08
Gg08 wrote:
Beckie, how frustrating, I'm glad you are giving her the boot and being active in your care... early diagnosis is key. Prayers & hugs, Bonnie Bonnie-IBC 03/2008,4/18nodes,ER+PR+Her2-,God is good
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glamorousu Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 23 |
Nov 4, 2009 07:20 pm
glamorousu wrote:
Sought the opinion of my other obgyn today. Going in tomorrow for diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound and possible biopsy.Kinda nervous, but glad the wait is nearing an end. Fingers crossed. Cheers! BeckieO
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cheers247 Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 256 |
Nov 4, 2009 07:29 pm
cheers247 wrote:
I'm so glad you are getting the mamo & US tomorrow! Your crazy GYN, you could have had the US first, to see if there was an abcess (if that was her concern) then have the mamo.... Some of the things MD's say make no sense!! I'm just glad you are going to have these things done. Keep us posted, Much Love, Jessica Jessica, Age 34 5mos chemo, bilat, ALND & total hyst 10/09. Rads, Zometa, Herceptin, Aromasin & Tumor Vaccine Clinical Trial
Diagnosis: 4/17/2009, IBC, 2cm, Stage IIIc, Grade 3, 2/21 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+ |
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glamorousu Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 23 |
Nov 5, 2009 06:59 pm
glamorousu wrote:
Just posted new topic about today...mammo & ultrasound today, biopsy tomorrow BeckieO
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