IBC shocked

Liz, Welcome to the Group.  I was diagnosed 13th July, 2010 with stage 4 IBC.

I had 6 rounds of chemo, mastectomy and lymph clearance,  5 weeks of radiation then onto Arimidex.   I'm still here and look forward to going on holidays in our motorhome, where I have all my home comforts so if I don't feel up to doing much then I don't have to.   I agree, organise youself some treats on the third week when you are feeling a little better.  Take care of yourself,  and spoil yourself, you deserve it!   Until I got this, I never knew just how many people loved and cared about me!   So even some good comes out of all this.xx

Hi Liz Can't say it any better than Deanne & Karen have really. You said you love hearing about life after treatment. I reach the 'magic' 5 year cancer free milestone in September this year. Planning a huge celebration. I was diagnosed with IBC in Sep 2010 at 46yrs with a 5yo daughter. A huge shock given there was no history of breast cancer in my family although my Aunt was diagnosed a year after me with ductal bc. I too had been having regular mammograms with my March 2010 one not showing up anything abnormal. Yes, this type of breast cancer is aggressive meaning that it grows rapidly. Mine was 10cm & luckily for me, chemo was my friend shrinking the cancer down to a manageable size to operate. I had a double mastectomy. It's really difficult when you're feeling sooo sick from it's side effects (& yes I had many hospital stints) but I used to imagine the chemo as the Australian a Defence Force moving around my body fighting the enemy. Unfortunately there are casualties along the way but chemo is is victorious over the cancer in the end! Totally agree that third week after chemo was the best with your tastebuds returning but on the downside you know another bout of chemo is just around the corner. Also totally recommend treats to look forward to - a foot massage, a coffee date, a movie, a new outfit, something for the house, a mini break weekend away as gives you something to focus on. Also, something a little bigger at the end of chemo & radio. I'm happy to say that this 4 & a bit years has flown by & that part of my life is fast fading away into a blurry memory. Counselling has helped me along the way as well as support groups (I live in the city). Having said that, I haven't met anyone with IBC through these groups, only in this forum. Take good care of yourself, accept any help that is offered & feel absolutely free to ask anything of us as I'm sure you will have many questions. Terri xxx

Hi Liz Can't say it any better than Deanne & Karen have really. You said you love hearing about life after treatment. I reach the 'magic' 5 year cancer free milestone in September this year. Planning a huge celebration. I was diagnosed with IBC in Sep 2010 at 46yrs with a 5yo daughter. A huge shock given there was no history of breast cancer in my family although my Aunt was diagnosed a year after me with ductal bc. I too had been having regular mammograms with my March 2010 one not showing up anything abnormal. Yes, this type of breast cancer is aggressive meaning that it grows rapidly. Mine was 10cm & luckily for me, chemo was my friend shrinking the cancer down to a manageable size to operate. I had a double mastectomy. It's really difficult when you're feeling sooo sick from it's side effects (& yes I had many hospital stints) but I used to imagine the chemo as the Australian a Defence Force moving around my body fighting the enemy. Unfortunately there are casualties along the way but chemo is is victorious over the cancer in the end! Totally agree that third week after chemo was the best with your tastebuds returning but on the downside you know another bout of chemo is just around the corner. Also totally recommend treats to look forward to - a foot massage, a coffee date, a movie, a new outfit, something for the house, a mini break weekend away as gives you something to focus on. Also, something a little bigger at the end of chemo & radio. I'm happy to say that this 4 & a bit years has flown by & that part of my life is fast fading away into a blurry memory. Counselling has helped me along the way as well as support groups (I live in the city). Having said that, I haven't met anyone with IBC through these groups, only in this forum. Take good care of yourself, accept any help that is offered & feel absolutely free to ask anything of us as I'm sure you will have many questions. Terri xxx

Hi Liz It's hard to be positive when you have chemo and radio to get through. But get through it, you will. I just keep reminding myself that it's short term pain for long term gain. The half way mark of chemo was the hardest for me too. It feels like you still have so far to go but your mind is screaming for you to stop but you know you can't. Normally if you have treatment for something it makes you feel better but this is bizarre because it makes you feel worse. I sought some counselling at this time and it really helped. Everything does happen so quickly that you just don't have time to get your head around it all. I finished radiotherapy on 19/12/14 and am now just having herceptin 3 weekly. I agree with Deanne, plan something nice for the 3rd week to give you something to look forward to. Take each day as it comes and try to enjoy the days that you feel o.k. Hang in thee and enjoy your short holiday. Karen xox

Hi Liz It's hard to be positive when you have chemo and radio to get through. But get through it, you will. I just keep reminding myself that it's short term pain for long term gain. The half way mark of chemo was the hardest for me too. It feels like you still have so far to go but your mind is screaming for you to stop but you know you can't. Normally if you have treatment for something it makes you feel better but this is bizarre because it makes you feel worse. I sought some counselling at this time and it really helped. Everything does happen so quickly that you just don't have time to get your head around it all. I finished radiotherapy on 19/12/14 and am now just having herceptin 3 weekly. I agree with Deanne, plan something nice for the 3rd week to give you something to look forward to. Take each day as it comes and try to enjoy the days that you feel o.k. Hang in thee and enjoy your short holiday. Karen xox