what the DR. said !!!!

charlotte · 12-06-2009, 08:08 PM

I had a pet scan done recently.. My Dr. said and I quote" can see no evidence of cancer". I just looked at my chest with the inflammatory breasts, almost covering my entire chest.. It is red, angry looking .. Has been that way for months.. Have had radiation treatments, been on tykerb, and xeloda for SEVERAL months with no sign of progress of slowing this mess down. in the beginning I had a different type of breast cancer.
I guess this type of cancer doesnt show up on pet scans. This is my 3 or 4 times with this beast, can't really tell as it springs up around every 18 months.. Sorry , I am depressing myself.
by the way, I am hoping my husband gets a set of lungs. I was able to talk to him for about 30 seconds, before he got tired.
Take care , all of ya'll..

ElaineM · 12-06-2009, 08:40 PM

Have you consulted someone from M. D. Anderson? That is supposed to be the place for inflammatory breast cancer. Maybe a breast ultra sound could identify the inflammatory breast cancer. If the area of concern is large enough it might show up as a glow on the outside of the breast on a mammogram. If there is a good breast surgeon or breast specialist in your area who has experience with inflammatory breast cancer might be able to confirm it with a biopsy. I hope you can get some help soon, so it can be treated if that is what is needed.
Take care. Try to stay positive. Keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Jackie07 · 12-06-2009, 10:49 PM

Holiday season brings depression easily on us cancer patients. I hope everything will improve and you will get the proper diagnosis/treatment. Positive thoughts increase the release of endorphen which reduces pain and improves our immune system. We will be praying for you and your husband.

tricia keegan · 12-07-2009, 01:45 AM

Charlotte, my friend had IBC and the only thing that confirmed it was a skin biopsy, she's doing fine now three years later but if you're still concerned maybe ask for this.?

Midwest Alice · 12-07-2009, 05:17 AM

Hi, get a skin biopsy don't ask for one, Demand one. There is treatment. Have to go to work. Don't give up.

Blessings

Becky · 12-07-2009, 06:23 AM

Dear Charlotte

I agree with what everyone else said but I want to add that although your local (breast/chest) results are less than stellar, the PET did show NED everywhere else.

This is a true blessing in that it has not spread outside the local region and you do not have distant mets. This is very, very good news. At least now, you can focus on the chest/skin etc. Get yourself somewhere to see what your next steps should be to get rid of it for good.

Good news that your PET was clean everywhere else.