I was diagnosed on May 5, 2005, at the age of 48.

Kathy

The discovery of my IBC started out just like Dr. Susan Love's book described. It appeared that I developed some kind of a mastitis and even though there was a little change after a couple rounds of antibiotics, the tissue remained irritated, thickened, and somewhat tender.

My internal med doc sent me to a general surgeon to see if he wanted to order an ultrasound or just take a biopsy - he ended up doing both, and on May 4, 2005 he did the biopsy.

The very next day my doctor called letting me know it was Inflammatory Breast Cancer, and I was referred to my medical oncologist who I had seen earlier for another 'cancer' diagnosis.

I am scheduled for 6 treatments (I have had 2 so far). The first one landed me in the hospital for 6 days, and I was in isolation because my blood counts were just so blown away.

I'm on Adriamicin/Cytoxin/Taxotere, plus two shots for my white and red counts. For this 2nd treatment they cut the doses by 25%.

So, just thought I would join in on this website....also, at age 20, I survived Ovarian Cancer. I've had several melanoma in situs thru the years, and I had just finished radiation treatment for a parotid gland tumor (malignant) just days before starting chemo for the IBC.

So this is my story, and I would love to talk to anyone else who is going through these early states that I'm in now.

Some days are better than others, and some days I feel braver than other days, but my husband is extremely supportive, and he and the Lord are getting me through this!!

Please click on the titles of the songs in order to hear the music.

Against All Odds

How can I just let you walk away,
Just let you leave without a trace,
When I stand here taking every breath with you?
You're the only one who really knew me at all.

How can you just walk away from me,
When all I can do is watch you leave
'Cause we've shared the laughter and the pain
and even shared the tears?
You're the only one who really knew me at all.

So take a look at me now.
Oh, there's just an empty space.
And there's nothing left here to remind me,
Just the memory of your face.

Oh, take a look at me now.
Well, there's just an empty space.
And you coming back to me is against all odds,
And that's what I've got to face.

I wish I could just make you turn around,
Turn around and see me cry.
There's so much I need to say to you,
So many reasons why.
You're the only one who really knew me at all.

So take a look at me now.
Well, there's just an empty space.
And there's nothing left here to remind me,
Just the memory of your face.

Now take a look at me now
'Cause there's just an empty space.
But to wait for you, is all I can do,
And that's what I've got to face.

Take a look at me now,
'Cause I'll be standing here.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

You Raise Me Up

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

* * * * * * * * *

by Josh Groban