You don't have to have a lump to have breast cancer

The kind of breast cancer Mama had is the common form we've been taught to check for -- she had a lump. But did you know there is more than one type of breast cancer? You don't have to have a lump to have breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is the most aggressive form of breast cancer. It is usually not detected by mammograms or ultrasounds. IBC tends to develop as a "sheet" instead of a lump or tumor.

Inflammatory breast cancer is the least common type of breast cancer. Some women who have IBC remain undiagnosed for long periods of time -- even while seeing their doctors about their symptoms. This is because the symptoms of IBC are similar to those of mastitis (pronounced ma-sty'-tis), a breast infection that is treated with antibiotics. IBC does not respond to antibiotics. On the IBC Research Foundation website (link follows), I also read of women whose rashes were misdiagnosed as insect bites, allergic reactions to food or detergents, shingles, even reactions to wearing underwire bras.

Until this week, I had never heard of inflammatory breast cancer. I learned of it when a friend sent me an email containing a link to a news channel story about IBC. Then of course I googled to find out more about this rare form of breast cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic (link follows) and the IBC Research websites, signs and symptoms of IBC include:

• A breast that appears red, purple, pink or bruised ("bruise" does not go away)
• A tender, firm and enlarged breast. Also according to ibcresearch.org, swelling is usually sudden, sometimes a cup size in a few days
• A warm feeling in the breast (breast is warm to the touch)
• Itching of the breast
• Breast pain (from a constant ache to stabbing pains)
• Ridged or dimpled skin texture, similar to an orange peel
• Thickened areas of skin
• Enlarged lymph nodes under the arm, above the collarbone or below the collarbone
• Flattening or retraction of the nipple
• Swollen or crusted skin on the nipple
• Change in color of the skin around the nipple (areola)

Here are links to the websites I mentioned.

IBC Research Foundation http://www.ibcresearch.org/ This site includes pictures and several video and audio clips, including "IBC: The Silent Killer" from station KOMO News 4.

Mayo Clinic www.mayoclinic.com/health/inflammatory-breast-cancer/DS00632

Mama found a lump

My mother found a lump in her left breast, a long time ago. She said it was the size of a peanut then. Mama didn't consult a doctor, but she did confide in her sister. They agreed it was probably just a clogged milk gland, nothing to worry about.

The lump continued to grow at a very slow rate until more recently, when it began growing more rapidly. Soon the lump was the size of a tangerine and her left breast was larger than the right. Still, it wasn't noticeable to others, only to Mama, since she is quite stooped over from osteoporosis and besides, she dresses in loose clothing. Now, though, with the left breast significantly larger than the right, Mama had trouble getting her clothes to fit "right". She decided to tell Peggy, my brother's wife. Remember Mama lives with Louis and Peggy.

On July 14, Mama saw a doctor about the lump. She told the doctor that if it was cancer, she didn't want surgery or other treatment. "I'm 83, and if I can live with this another couple years..." But the doctor said she wouldn't live that long. The lump was very close to the surface of the skin, and he said next it would either move into muscle, or "explode" through the skin. The doctor assured Mama that if the lump came through the skin, it would be "a mess" and would "stink." That was exactly the right thing to say: Mama never wants to "inconvenience" anyone.

Mama's surgery was this Wednesday, July 26, less than 2 weeks from first seeing a doctor. The surgery went well. The doctor did have to do a mastectomy, but not a radical. He said the cancer was slow going, and that he was able to get it all. Only the left breast was removed; they wouldn't take the right one as well. Considering how "well endowed" Mama was, I think it would be especially strange to have only one breast. But I suppose that's not important; what is important is that the surgery was successful. Mama left the hospital on Friday, and is doing very well. She is able to move her left arm and take care of herself. My sister Frances drove up this afternoon and will spend the next two days with Mama.

Why am I doing this?

Isn't everyone? :-) No, seriously, I'm doing this to help stay in touch with friends and family. With everyday life becoming busier all the time, I'm finding it hard to keep up. Aren't you? For me, the final "straw" was a couple weeks ago when I went to lunch with a friend who lives 15 minutes away, and in the course of conversation, realized to our mutual shock that I never told her Daddy had passed away.

I stole the idea about blogging from another friend. Until she started blogging, I didn't even know what a blog was. Just because I work in technology doesn't mean I'm "hip" to the latest trends. Until last week, I had heard the term "Bluetooth" but didn't know what Bluetooth technology was about or how it could benefit me. Then I bought a new wireless phone that's Bluetooth enabled, and suddenly I made it my business to find out.

Anyway, dear reader, I'm writing this for both of us, for you and for me, to help us stay connected. What it lacks in the personal touch, we can make up for by email followup Q&A. So please indulge me, and check out my blog every now and then, to find out what's up with me.

The last year in review, Reader's Digest style

In the last year, I realized neither my marriage nor my job was satisfying. Jerry wasn't willing to work on our marriage. Although he won't sign separation papers, we have been living apart for over a year. In 2005 I moved to Charlotte and in September I bought a house on the southeast side.

Meanwhile at work I had reached burnout and lost all self confidence. In February I took a leave of absence from work, to spend more time with Mama during Daddy's last months, to take on major projects at home, including fixing drainage issues and building a new deck and storage shed, and to think about my job and my career direction. Daddy passed away in late April. In mid June, Mama came here for two weeks, a real joy. Also in mid June, the last major home improvement project was finished. Although I'm poorer financially for taking so much time off work, having the time to think and to heal has been priceless. My self confidence is back and I'm ready to get back to work.

This March, my sister Frances moved in with me, along with her cats Sarah and Mariah. Living with five cats can be challenging, but having my sister here is great. We complement each other: she hates housework but never tires of working in the yard. I’m an organized housekeeper, and although I want the yard to be beautiful, my allergies make me miserable if I spend much time outdoors. Together we have the best of both worlds.

Now that Jerry and I are apart, Kerry and I have been spending a lot of time together. He’s been my best male friend since I was 22. We can talk about anything and everything. Once we talked on the phone for 4 ½ hours. I’m not sure if he’s "husband material" yet, but we’ll always be "really good friends", best friends, of this I’m sure. His daughter Melissa and I get along great. We especially delight in ganging up on Kerry. Melissa will be 16 in December, and is a terrific, fun, well-brought-up young lady. I love her a lot.

My Core Values: Guiding Principles for Life

1. Act with integrity. I will stand up for my beliefs. I will be honest with myself and with others. I will fulfill my commitments and promises. I will model the behavior I expect from others.
2. Be compassionate. I will be patient and understanding. I will be ready to forgive myself and others. I will not fear failure, but I will fear failing to try. Mistakes are an important part of learning. I will accept mistakes and move on.
3. Be responsible. I will be reliable and trustworthy. I will be someone who can be counted on. I will take ownership of my work. I will plan and organize my time to avoid panic situations. I will demonstrate problem-solving and decision-making skills. I will always do my best to do the right thing, even when it is more difficult.
4. Respect others. I will treat others with dignity and respect. I will value their time. I will demonstrate open mindedness. I will remember that everyone has different values and perspectives. I will use my listening skills to prevent misunderstandings and resolve differences
5. Share. I will find positive ways to contribute to my community. I will share my time and talents with others.
6. Excel. I will think creatively. I will strive for continuous improvement. I will never stop learning and seeking new knowledge and skills.
7. Be healthy. I am committed to staying in good health, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
8. Put friends and family first. Nothing in this world is more important than my relationships with family and friends. I will strive not to get caught up in work and other activities and neglect my family and friends. I am willing to change my thoughts, feelings, and actions to create and maintain loving relationships.