9.26.2007

I sent out this email today... to inform, educate send somemore support to dear Whymommy

I know that its not quite October yet... but I wanted to share with you one of the blogs I read, http://toddlerplanet.wordpress.com/. I introduce you to Whymommy, mother to two small children Widget and her baby little Bear. Her youngest baby refused to feed on her right side, I mean would EAT nothing...he was 5 months old. She and the lactation specialist had tried everything possible but nada, zip, zilch, WOULD. NOT. FEED. There were other symptoms too so she went to her Dr. after giving up breast feeding on her right side, but she went mostly because her breast changed, got hard in places, dimply kinda like the outside of an orange. Really Really scary!
(see the day she'll never forget http://toddlerplanet.wordpress.com/2007/06/16/not-good/)

She has inflammatory Breast Cancer.

Breast Cancer does not have to be a lump.
Breast Cancer does not have to be a lump.

I read this over and over on her blog. Inflammatory breast cancer only sees a 25-50% survival rate at 5 years and greatly diminishing by the 10 year mark. Many survivors fight hard the rest of their lives... there is a 90% chance of recurrence. Most of their lives will be taken over by chemo, surgery... and many times is already too late because too few doctors know what to look for. When it looks really bad and the doctor decides to send the patient to a "specialist" many times its already too late. We need to educate ourselves because although IBC only accounts for 1%-5% of Breast Cancer cases it could save your life or someone you love. Here is a link from her page that will answer many questions that I know too little about. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/IBC

Education, awareness and being proactive in your own health care is what makes a survivor.

Do your self breast exam, if you find a lump or anything different about your breasts contact your doctor immediately. But don't forget... Breast Cancer isn't always a lump....

Hopes and Cures for a Cancer free tomorrow... (see my blog about my quest to find a cure)

~Tina D. Mickelson

No comments: