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Kathy
I was lucky...I think. My cancer was caught early. My oncologist said in his 30 years he hadn't seen ibc caught as early as mine. I had infiltrating ductal carcinoma and ibc. My ibc hadn't reached the dermal lymphatic layer yet. Entirely because my sister had been a PA at Memorial Sloan-Kettering.
On a Thursday night after my shower, I noticed a small red area over a previous scar from a cyst removal when I was a teen. There was a slight bump. The wave we all know so well, hit me. I
called Suzannah, described what I found and waited to hear her response.
'Oh, Kath,' she said as she waited to gather her composure. Then, she launched into professional mode and told me exactly what to do beginning right then.
The next morning I proceeded as she directed. I went to my ob gyn. Got three of the five or so tests she had asked for. The mammogram was negative. The ultrasound was suspect. The biopsy turned up ductal carcinoma, and a lumpectomy was scheduled. Suzannah said no way! I must have a skin biopsy.
My doctors were accommodating, but reluctant. It so happens that Suzannah had a ton of experience with women whose ibc had been misdiagnosed. The skin biopsy came back postive, and my
mediport was put in and chemo started before I could even take a breath.
I suffered chemo, a radical modified mastectomy, oophorectomy, radiation, reconstructive surgery and aromasin. In the midst, I was also diagnosed with a rare form of head and neck cancer. UGH!
HOWEVER, I am here and just marked one year since my mastectomy. Helen Reddy's 'I am woman' allowed me the strength to view my new body for the first time. I now sing it whenever I feel that sinking feeling.
I really wanted to share the one thing that has helped me above all. I now have a reiki master. If you don't have one, try to find one. He helps me with almost every ache and pain and has helped restore my immune system and at least some of my energy. My docs have been duly impressed and are beginning the process to make reiki masters available to other cancer patients.
I was so happy to find this site and would love to find a way to educate doctors on how to identify ibc before it has spread. I would love your ideas!
We are women, and, man, can we ROAR!
Here's my email for any correspondence: kathybero@netwurx.net
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