When the lumpectomy breast became red and inflamed a week ago Tuesday, then moved quickly to swollen, hot and painful, my gut said it was Inflammatory Breast Cancer.
Breast surgeon thinks it is either IBC or Postirradiation morphea.
Postirradiation morphea usually affects the breast and may resemble metastatic breast cancer, especially if it initially has an inflammatory stage. I did have an extreme inflammatory stage. Morphea is an autoimmune disease; it is also referred to as a localized scleroderma.
I am scared, but calm. My mantra is, “It is what it is”. Maybe having gone through treatment already with the 2nd most aggressive breast cancer, the emotions are not all over the place. I remain hopeful that it is not IBC.
Yesterday, the surgeon took two skin punch biopsies, then put in a few stitches to close them. These suckers hurt!
If this turns out to be IBC, then back to the oncologist and chemotherapy. If more surgery is required after that, I will have a double mastectomy (my choice). But I want to make sure that the cancer cells respond to chemo first before I agree to any surgery.
If this turns out to be Portirradiation morphea, I will be referred to a rheumatologist.
Please keep us – my 2 daughters and me – in your thoughts and prayers this Tuesday. One goes for surgery for a tumor on her ovary. Our hope and belief is for a non-malignant tumor. The other daughter goes before a judge for the child custody. The skin punch biopsy results should be available on Tuesday.
Instead of singing, “Monday, Monday. Can’t trust that day”, I think I’m changing it to “Tuesday, Tuesday. Can’t trust that day”.
Peace and blessings,
~Renee
Breast surgeon thinks it is either IBC or Postirradiation morphea.
Postirradiation morphea usually affects the breast and may resemble metastatic breast cancer, especially if it initially has an inflammatory stage. I did have an extreme inflammatory stage. Morphea is an autoimmune disease; it is also referred to as a localized scleroderma.
I am scared, but calm. My mantra is, “It is what it is”. Maybe having gone through treatment already with the 2nd most aggressive breast cancer, the emotions are not all over the place. I remain hopeful that it is not IBC.
Yesterday, the surgeon took two skin punch biopsies, then put in a few stitches to close them. These suckers hurt!
If this turns out to be IBC, then back to the oncologist and chemotherapy. If more surgery is required after that, I will have a double mastectomy (my choice). But I want to make sure that the cancer cells respond to chemo first before I agree to any surgery.
If this turns out to be Portirradiation morphea, I will be referred to a rheumatologist.
Please keep us – my 2 daughters and me – in your thoughts and prayers this Tuesday. One goes for surgery for a tumor on her ovary. Our hope and belief is for a non-malignant tumor. The other daughter goes before a judge for the child custody. The skin punch biopsy results should be available on Tuesday.
Instead of singing, “Monday, Monday. Can’t trust that day”, I think I’m changing it to “Tuesday, Tuesday. Can’t trust that day”.
Peace and blessings,
~Renee
Renee,
ReplyDeleteYou're right: we can't really know just what the future holds on any given day... But, we do know that God is walking with us every step of the way. I will be praying for you and your daughters, that the test results will be negative, and that the custody issue is resolved soon and appropriately. Blessings to you as you go through this difficult time of waiting.
Goosie.. You and your family are in my prayers always.. AND I believe!
ReplyDeleteYou're so positive! We'll be thinking of you & hoping for the best.
ReplyDelete