Michelle’s story: inflammatory breast cancer
Michelle beat the odds of inflammatory breast cancer
In 2004, Michelle noticed her breast was red and painful. She was treated with antibiotics until the pain was so bad she was on heavy painkillers. On Jan. 28, 2005, Michelle had a biopsy and was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer (IBC).
National Cancer Institute, IBC is a rare but very aggressive type of breast cancer in which the cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin of the breast. IBC, which shows up as redness, swelling and pain in the breast, accounts for 1 to 5 percent of all breast cancer cases in the United States.
Michelle didn’t have time to weigh her options after her diagnosis. They started chemotherapy the same week as the biopsy. Further tests found that levels of the the HER2/nue gene, which is associated with increased disease recurrence and worse prognosis, was off the charts.
“My treatments (with adriamycin) were pretty brutal, she said. “I was hospitalized after every treatment for severe infections, dehydration and pain. After my second mastectomy, I had a gallstone attack and had to get my gallbladder removed. I suffered lock jaw at one point. I don’t even remember parts of 2005.
“Doctors told me I probably wouldn’t be around in a year, but the treatment worked well. In May 2006, I was told I had no evidence of disease.”
That summer, Michelle decided she was going to eat, drink and be merry. She figured she might as well enjoy life because her days were numbered. Today she has a brand new outlook:
Now I need to reverse my thinking. I can’t abuse my body any more because it looks like I’m going to live.
You have to laugh and can’t let it overwhelm you. I went out with a group of eight girlfriends recently and told them, “One out of eight women get breast cancer in their lifetime. You’re lucky; I took the hit for you!”
As brutal as it was, I would not change anything if I could go back in time. Having cancer has made me a better person and strengthened my relationship with God, family and friends.
sam elliston says:
I didn’t know about this kind of breast cancer. An interesting story. Seems like a natural reaction to “eat, drink and be merry” since doctors insist on telling people how much time they have. I am so glad to hear about someone who showed them that once again, they were wrong.
Debby says:
I had/have? IBC. I was never told the “seriousnes”s of the disease while going through treatment. My doc answers questions but never volunteers outcomes. Bless him. He DID however tell me that a year was my critical time. I went through similar treatments (fortunately my gyn sent me right to a breast surgeon) but I had a very different experience. It was rough but I got through fairly unscathed. I was diagnosed in 2005 and still going strong. My reaction has been to keep my body strong. Just wanted you to know that there are many hopeful outcomes with IBC now but like Michelle I realize how fortunate I am and have chosen to work with other cancer patients to help them understand that there is life after and with cancer.
Amy B. says:
The Amyloidosis Foundation estimates that approximately 3,000 people are diagnosed with amyloidosis each year in North America and that blood cancers overall have increased more than 40% in the last decade.