I was diagnosed on January 13, 2006 at the age of 54.

Pam

I was diagnosed with IBC on Friday the 13th, 2006! But I already knew that I had it after looking at it on the Internet. I had never heard of this type of breast cancer before! I was in between mammograms and was due for another one.

I kept having chest pains in my left side and even went to the emergency room two days before I noticed it. I thought perhaps it was a heart attack...Two days later, I heard a voice (God, Angels?) saying to go into the bathroom and look at your breasts. And there it was! Big and weird looking.

First they thought I had ductal, lobular cancer, then after the biopsy they said IBC. I was 54 years old....My mom had had non-invasive breast cancer two years before, but she was 75....And then I found out from her that her aunt had had breast cancer way back, but it was non invasive also. hmmmmm.

I was given three types of chemo six times every two weeks. I did pretty well with it. It was hard the last two chemos, though. Then a mastectomy with some lymph nodes taken out. I think there were four altogether. Then 28 days of radiation.

I ended all treatments in November 2006. I am still here, and the Lord really brought me through this with many, many prayers and good support from friends and family. It was hard on my two daughters and my husband, though. They were more scared than I was.

I am having pain in my right side, stabbing pains. I am having a mammo monday and a scan of my left lung because they found something there six months back. Supposedly it was nothing to worry about.

It is hard because every time I don't feel good, I wonder is it coming back? Well, if it does, I will fight to the best of my ability again...sigh...and the Lord will be there with me as He always is!!! PTL!

Love to everyone here.

Pam

Please click on the title of the hymn in order to hear the music.

El Shaddai (The Almighty God)

El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
El-Elyon na Adonia,
Age to age You're still the same,
By the power of the name.

El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
Erkamka na Adonai,
We will praise and lift You high,
El Shaddai.

Through Your love and through the ram,
You saved the son of Abraham;
Through the power of Your hand,
Turned the sea into dry land.

To the outcast on her knees,
You were the God who really sees,
And by Your might,
You set Your children free.

El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
El-Elyon na Adonia,
Age to age You're still the same,
By the power of the name.

El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
Erkamka na Adonai,
We will praise and lift You high,
El Shaddai.

Through the years You've made it clear,
That the time of Christ was near,
Though the people couldn't see
What Messiah ought to be.

Though Your Word contained the plan,
They just could not understand
Your most awesome work was done
Through the frailty of Your Son.

El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
El-Elyon na Adonai,
Age to age You're still the same,
By the power of the name.

El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
Erkamka na Adonai,
I will praise and lift You high,
El Shaddai.

El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
El-Elyon na Adonai,
Age to age You're still the same,
By the power of the name.

El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
Erkamka na Adonai,
I will praise and lift You high,
El Shaddai.

* * * * * * * * *

Words and music by
Michael Cord and John Thompson
Recorded by Amy Grant

Translations:

El Shaddai ~ The Almighty God
El-Elyon ~ God Most High
na Adonai ~ O Lord
Erkamka ~ we will love you