My Cancer Story
by Elizabeth (Betty)

Inflammatory Breast Cancer is an uncommon type of breast cancer in which breast cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin of the breast. This blockage may cause the breast to become red, swollen, and warm. The skin of the breast may also appear pink, purple, or bruised, and it may have ridges or appear pitted, like the skin of an orange (called peau d'orange). These changes often occur quickly over a period of weeks. Another possible sign of this type of breast cancer is swollen lymph nodes under the arm, above the collarbone, or in both places. Often, a tumor cannot be felt, and may not be seen on a mammogram. The diagnosis of Inflammatory Breast Cancer is based on the results of the biopsy and the doctor’s clinical judgment.

Back in early April of 2005, almost overnight, I noticed that I had a lump, my breast was heavier & I had a pink area around the nipple.  I called to get a mammogram, but when I mentioned that I had a lump, they said for me to see a doctor first.  I went to the clinic the next morning & the doctor there said she thought it was just an infection, gave me a shot & put me on oral antibiotics. She ordered a mammogram for that Friday.  By Friday I knew it was something more than an infection because there wasn’t any change in my breast.  After the mammogram on Friday, I stopped by my surgical doctor’s office & talked to his nurse & she gave me an appointment for the following Monday.  On Monday, when I went to the doctor, the mammogram wasn’t back yet, so there wasn’t anything he could tell me.

On Tuesday, he told me that the radiologist called him back Monday evening & that I needed a biopsy.  He did the biopsy that same day.  On Monday, April 25^th, the doctor gave us the diagnosis of Inflammatory Breast Cancer.  My life as my family & I knew it changed forever.

On Wednesday, I had CT & Bone Scans, CXR & blood work.  On May 4^th (my birthday), I had my first visit with the oncology doctor to set up my treatment plan.  I had a Port-A-Cath placed the following Tuesday, Cancer education on Wednesday & started my first Chemo on Thursday the 12^th of May.  I had twelve weeks of Chemo, another mammogram (the tumor had shrunk 50%), another 4 weeks of Chemo & a Modified Radical Mastectomy on September 13^th.  Out of thirteen lymph nodes, four were positive for cancer.  I will be starting Chemo again in November for twelve-sixteen weeks, then radiation for six weeks following the Chemo.

Before I had cancer, I ate a lot of fried foods & sweets, never drank water, never ate fruit or raw vegetables & I liked going to the fast food places.   But since I have gotten cancer, in doing research on the internet, I know that your diet can affect the cancer & your health.  I now try to eat raw green vegetables, raw fruit, more water, no sodas (especially diet sodas, due to the aspartame) & no meats except chicken & fish & I quit going to the fast food places L.  I also try to stay away from sugar as sugar feeds cancer.  I have found out that nutrition is very important at all times, but especially when you have cancer.   In 337 BC, Hippocrates stated, "Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food."

Inflammatory Breast Cancer is very rare & only a very small percentage of women get it. Most of the medical profession does not know it when they see it.  They usually diagnose it as an infection/mastitis.  Because of this lack of education, women may go months & sometimes years before getting an accurate diagnosis & by then it is too late for any chance of survival. 

I would like to list the symptoms of Inflammatory Breast Cancer.  See your doctor if you get ANY changes in your breast.

1.  Rapid unusual increase in breast size
2.  Red or pinkish area on breast
3.  Itching of breast or nipple
4.  Sharp pain or soreness of the breast

Let me emphasize, immediate treatment is critical.  Inflammatory Breast Cancer grows rapidly & can spread quickly.  Insist on a biopsy if necessary.  You don’t always have a lump.  It usually grows in nests or sheets, rather than as a confined, solid tumor and therefore can be diffuse throughout the breast with no palpable mass. Mammograms do not always show up Inflammatory Breast Cancer because of this.

Update on my Cancer:
I was on Herceptin & Arimidex after finishing up my regular Chemo & had returned to work in May of 2006. In August of 2006, my cancer came back; it was HER2- instead of HER2+.  It was in my chest wall, under my breast bone in 2 different places (PET Scan showed it) My doctor started me on Avastin & Abraxane. I took 2 treatments of Avastin & maybe 5-6 treatments of Abraxane.  My last Chemo was on December 5, 2006. Now, I am not on any Chemo.
It is now March 2007 & I have had 3 CT Scans & all 3 have been negative for Cancer. Praise the Lord!
I took Cesium in 2006 for 1 month (Sept.26-Oct.21) & I was prayed for in a healing service at Alligood Church of God on November 5, 2006, had my first CT Scan on Nov. 7th & it was negative for cancer & has been ever since. I also take Barley Green tablets, 9 every morning (should take 9 in the morning & at night).  I take Aloe Vera from Catherine's Choice, Super Antioxidant & COQ10 from Puritan's Pride. 

Update on my Cancer March 2008:
My Cancer has come back.  It is now in my liver & in the mediastinal area & growing.  I was on Xeloda pills for cancer for 3 months & that didn't help, then I was put on Abraxane & that hasn't helped.  I am now on IV Gemzar & Cisplatin weekly. I don't get another CT Scan until sometime in April; then I will know if that has helped.  I do not know why God let the cancer come back, but I still am trusting Him.  I know He has His Master plan for my life & I will trust Him for it.  I really believe that the reason I have lived for 3 years since I was diagnosed is because of the prayers of  all the churches, my friends & family.

Update on my Cancer July 2008: 
I started on Barley Green tablets 3 weeks before my CT scan in April & the cancer has started shrinking.
The ones in my liver has shrunk some & the one in my chest is stable.  I am still on Gemzar & Cisplatin.
I had another CT scan on June 20, 2008.  The cancer is still shrinking & I am still taking my Barley Green tablets.
I take 10-12 in the am & 10-12 in the pm.  I feel that is what is helping my cancer shrink.
I am not saying that the Gemzar & Cisplatin is not helping; maybe it is the combination of all of it.
I feel pretty good.  I only get sick in my stomach Wed-Sat of the week that I have the Chemo.,
& it is not a really bad sick stomach, just feel nauseated & my mouth has a few sores in it.

The many prayers & thoughtfulness from the surrounding communities, my friends, my family & my co-workers at Beaufort County Hospital have made this struggle a lot easier for me.  They have done so many thoughtful things & have kept me from feeling so alone.  The many prayers that have gone up on my behalf have kept me strong & help me to remember that when things get tough, God, friends & faith get you through it. God is so good!

My song is:
Because He Lives
God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus;
He came to love, heal & forgive;
He lived & died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

And then one day I’ll cross the river;
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain,
And then as death gives way to victory,
I’ll see the lights of glory & I’ll know He lives.

Because He lives I can face tomorrow;
Because He lives all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

Storegateway.com