Since October is Breast Cancer month, and I unfortunately know that bitch too well, I would like you to read a post I did on Inflammatory Breast Cancer in February, 2008.
http://circlingmyhead.blogspot.com/2008/02/lump-is-not-necessary-to-have-breast.html
Know what you know and know what you need to know. Had I only seen this I would have known what I already knew.
56 comments:
We all know when we know.
If we can just allow our Self to begin to know a little sooner, that would be better.
Blessed is the beauty who knows how and when to calm the chaos.
Be well.
Renee,
...Want to write a novel in November?
http://blog.nanowrimo.org/
I just had my tri yearly mammogram a week or so ago. Over here you are only entitled to one mammogram every three years and only then after you are 50 years of age. My mom had breast cancer and so I am extra vigilant at checking myself etc. I first learned of IBC several years ago. Your post on it was very informative and helpful. As women, we all have to be vigilent and look out for each other. You do a great job of that Renee. ((((hugs)))) xxoo
I'm sorry to hear that you had breast cancer...fight them! be brave :)
I read the whole post from Feb. 2008. It was not boring. Thank you so much, I didn't know about IBC until I met you. And now one more woman is informed. Ripple effects.
Yeh you already know alright. There's been a big campaign about the pea sized lump not being detectable and the importance of mammograms. Still hate the things.
If it weren't for you Renee, I would have no clue what IBC is...THANK YOU! I'm going to send as many as I can to your blog to read that post. It's sad that we aren't aware of this but you are changing that!
You are reaching so many and we need to help you reach more.
Love, Darla♥
Just went and read it -- great post (and not at all boring, as it made me think about what you've been through).
Thanks for taking the time to share your hard-won knowledge. Knowing this is not only useful for myself, but also if a girlfriend (or niece or daughter) mentions these symptoms at some time in the future.
Ciao, bella!
I don't know what to say Renee. I read your article. Thank you for sharing all that knowledge when t must fee deeply personal and sensitive. My partners aunt has breast cancer. It had gone into remission but came back. Like you he knew but the GP didn't believe her... On the brighter side a friend in Brighton had treatment and has been clear for several years now. She's a big believer in the healing power of vegan diet and raw vegetables.
I hop things are well for you x
I hope we all learn from your horrible experience Renee. By your ordeal, I am sure that many women will be saved.
Thank you for sharing my friend, my prayers to you and your family.
Hugs,
Meg
Hi Renee! Thank you for taking the time to post about IBC again as others may have come to your blog after the initial post. I actually saw a segment about IBC on TV a year or two ago but was clueless it existed before that. This is something all women should be made aware of and certainly all physicians! We are brought up to be 'good girls' and to not question authority but that can be a serious mistake when it comes to our health. We must be our own advocates and raise the next generation of women to trust their instincts! Thanks again for this very important reminder.
Women seem to have come on board with the breast screening campaign so maybe it's timely to provide more information about the less common forms such as IBC.
ps The outward characteristics sound similar to those displayed by one of Ruben's Three Graces models ...
ps Pleased the card arrived honey...love you...
Because of YOU...I pay attention to the non stereotypical signs for that BITCH...
Love you Lovey xoxoxox
Important info that I didn't know -- thank you, Renee! Blessings of the day!
Wonderful post hon..this and the other one..somehow I had not read that one?? Thank you for the timely reminder..sometimes you just have to trust your gut that something is up! It breaks my heart to see you go through all of this..love you hon and hang in there..don't let that bitch get you! Love you, Sarah
Thank you Renee. I've got breast cancer in my family. My mom, grandmother... But I'd never heard of this kind except to hear you say you had it. I never knew what it was. No lump??? Oy! WTF? I heard a doctor (speaking about insurance, and diagnosis) say the other day that being born a woman is a pre-existing condition. So true. So sorry you had to learn about it the way you did and so grateful for the heads up. I'm due for my mammo...Gonna call today.[[[Hugs]]]
Excellent post. Something we all need to remember - we are our own advocate. Be the best squeaky wheel you can be!
Thank you for the reminder.
Renee, you help all of us so much. I wish I could help you more. Love, hugs,kisses, and prayers sent your way!! Lynda
Thanks Renee for this post. You are one of the bravest people I know. The "if only" or "I shoulda", or "what ifs" only cause distress and sadness. I like that you deal with the here and now... my heroine.
Ciao, Lizzy
Thank you for this renee- it's so important! You are a soldier, so brave and loving! I'm thankful to have you as my blogging buddy!
xo-jj
Thank you for that. I never go to doctors, but if something were wrong I would KNOW. I love that you still like your doctor, we are only human and make mistakes,and that goes for you too.I believe that you dear one can live to tell the tale of how you beat the devil, cancer. Sending love and many hugs. xoxo
Such important information!
Bless you Renee for being who you are. You rock lady!
Hugs
Renee,
I believe you have given many women a gift with this informative post. with gratitude and love, your friend Miss Becky.
xoxo
Wow, that post of Feb. 2008 was an eye-opener, and I continue to learn much more on the subject because of you. Although it's rare for a man to get breast cancer, I think men should get educated just as much as women do in this matter, so they can understand the 'signs' as well.
I may not have to get my BA-ZOOMS squeezed every so often, but I now have to let the doctor poke my pyongyang every year or so to check the old prostate ticker.
God bless you Renee. I did not know about this. I shall take the knowledge with me and share it with other women.
I feel sorry for your doctor but am surprised that she was not informed of this. Love, xxx.
When I was thirty I had five benign tumors removed from my breast so I started down the road of yearly mammograms and ultrasounds. Last biopsy I had there was no lump present but calcifications .... that biopsy turned out to be ok.... I was left with huge hematoma and bruising for 4 months but I was fine.
Get screened yearly ladies! I have so many cysts in my sisters that it's hard to tell what's what! A yearly checkup is super important!!
thanks for the post Renee!
love u
manon
xo
Thank you for this post. That you are thinking of others, even as you battle this terrible disease is profound. Thank you. (and your comment about educating people on what to do if someone has a seizure on my own blog is a good idea! I am working on it...)
Thank you for the reminder. I do not have IBC. I did discover my breast cancer as the result of finding a lump. However, mammograms (two within eighteen months) did not show cancer activity. An ultrasound did not show cancer. It was only at my family doctor's insistence to continue testing, that with a biopsy it was finally confirmed that I had breast cancer. The pathology results, after surgery, would place me between stage III and stage IV cancer. One year later, metastatic.
Thank you for the reminder that doctors are human not magicians. If they were, we would not require doctors any more.
Was so good to see you yesterday, even for a brief time. Take care my friend and hope to see you again soon!
You're so right. One of my ex-neighbours in Havana had to have a mastectomy because she thought she did not have breast cancer on account of not having a lump. Wise words, wise post. Many thanks.
Greetings from London.
You're amazing and i miss you - thanks for putting that word out there ... if only we knew. I love you xoxox
That is a great post, Renee. Perhaps you could put a permanent link on your sidebar. **kisskiss** Deb
I had a patient who went to an oncologist after I pushed her because the symptoms sounded much like yours, and she over-heard him telling the nurse, "Oh, she's a psych patient," and he dismissed her with no testing! I have urged her to get a second opinion, but so mnay women (and so many doctors) have been indoctrinated with the idea that theere must be an actual lump for it to be cancer. But when any woman mentions breast tenderness or other symptoms, I always quiz them and send them back to their doctors to ask specifially about IBC. If it evenn makes a difference once, it will be worth it.
Take comfort in the knowledge that you have probably saved lives. You know better now, your doctor knows better now, and so do we. Thank you.
Love
Thank you for this (I feel as if I'm always saying "thank you" to you, Renee, because you post so many helpful, useful things)! What a gift, to tell us to trust our own knowing. I needed to hear this today. XOXO
thank you for sharing.
You are not alone, and I'm so sorry, BUT you are a tiger, aren't you - my dear blogfriend!!
Agneta
me too, i had no clue about ibc. and just last night i dreamt a collegue had discovered a lump in my breast, what a frightening dream! thank you for your information! cheers from ireland eliane
Thank you for sharing this information. Also good that you inspire us to follow our instincts, it is our body, our life and we actually know more about ourselves than anyone else.
My heart aches to hear you have gone through this, ugh. Wishing you health, always.
Hello, my dearest Renee Gabrielle,
Thank you for posting this link again. This cancer is so important for people to know about.
No one ever talks about IBC. I happened to hear about it a few years ago when I was walking past a TV that was airing a very short report about it. No doctor had even ever mentioned it. And I go to one of the top breast surgeons and oncologists in the state because of my history.
Every time you post something about IBC you reach more people. You never know whose life you will save.
You know this already. But I am so, so sorry that this has happened to you - all of it.
I hope you are well today, dear friend.
Thank you for being you.
Hugs and love,
xoxoxo
Angela
That's a touching touching post Renee.
I read it when I first met you ~ I've passed that information to many of the people I know and whenever breast cancer comes up I always mention inflammatory breast cancer and my dear dear friend that has it.
I love you Renee ~
Pattee
Thank YOU for taking the time to share this info with us Renee! How are YOU doing???!!!How is Jacquie?!!Sending love and prayers.
I have read this post before and am glad that you linked to it again. It is an essential reminder to all of us to be vigilant. To listen to our instincts and to be aware of the signs. Thank you again for sharing Renee.
Lots of love to you.xxx
Thank you for continuing to spread the awareness, and for continuing to be a warrior.
Thank you for this. I have a friend "fighting" right now. My prayers go out to anyone facing the cancer mirror.
much love to everyone.
funny, my word verfication was "fating" today it feels these are hidden messages. i also had one that said "blessu"
Never too soon to re-read this post!
Recently I visited my 3 sisters and we discussed IBC,,,not one of them was aware of it. Our Mother had breast cancer, so we felt we were pretty well informed! I can't help but wonder why women aren't given more education about this?
Someone mentioned Grace,,which is a name interchangeable with Renee.
Thank you,,,
Hi Renee! Thank you for sharing all this important information! You are a strong and brave woman! Thanks for sharing your world with us!
Hugs,
Lisa :)
you are my wonder woman. wise, wonderful, winning,
and smart and fun.
this makes little sense. it;s late, forgive me. :)
Thank you my friend for all you do to spread awareness and education...you are saving lives...
Much love, M
Your article was amazing...I had no idea about this...Thank you for making me think and now become aware.
Good that you posted this Renee - it's good to spread the word. I did know about it but there are no doubt many who don't.
Wow. Thank you for the education regarding IBC. I seriously thought all breast cancer presented as a lump! So good to know. I think I mentioned to you at some point, that I have a lump deep against the chest wall. I go back in December for another mammogram/ultra sound. Oh joy! Anyway, I will take your advice about being my own advocate to heart and push for what I feel I need. Thanks Renee. Blessings.
Well, it definetly wasn't boring. I'm shocked.
I didn't know so much of that. I didn't know there doesn't have to be a lump.
I know Doctor's aren't magic, I know that, but how do you know when you don't even know what to ask Renee? You couldn't know. God, it's frustrating. You have helped so many by sharing your story, by sharing what you know.
I wish I could hug you. I want you to be okay. Forever.
love,
lori
I think you posted a link to this before. I've read it. And would you believe, I'd forgotten. Never stop posting that link. It's going to save someone, Renee. It will.
much love,
erin
A marvellously informative post Renee and one I will certainly remember. Jim's wife, Sally, had bowel cancer. The doctor was a family friend and was treating her for IBS. It was several years before he finally sent her to the hospital by which time it was too late. Chemo and surgery were thought to have worked but it had already spread. She died aged 55.
Renee you have touched so many with your informative posts - thanks for sharing your journey!
went for my 3 yearly mammogram test yesterday and you were on my mind throughout. throughout and through and through. i remember that post you wrote, still gives me the cold shivers.
Post a Comment