39 year old Stephanie McMillan loves life. Sitting on her front porch, spending time with her kids, or caring for others at her job were all part of everyday life a year ago. But, a lot has changed since we first met the wife and mom of two. The last year has challenged Stephanie in every way. She was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer last July. Stephanie explains, “my lymph nodes in my neck started to get bigger and bigger, then my breast started to swell”.

She’s gone through several rounds of chemotherapy. She’s had surgery, radiation, and a final round of chemotherapy. It seemed the different treatments accomplished their goal because her original diagnosis of Inflammatory Breast Cancer was under control.

But, then a setback. Stephanie says, “I had a seizure at home and they took me to the hospital”. And, that’s when doctors discovered Stephanie’s fight wasn’t over. “It’s one of those bad things that happens that you can’t predict,” says Stephanie’s Oncologist, Dr. Michael Meshad.

The enemy - the Inflammatory Breast Cancer - had moved through her blood into her brain. Stephanie says, “I have three spots on my brain”. But, Dr. Meshad tells us that the first round of treatment for those spots didn’t work. Unfortunately, “her disease has not responded well to the radiation. And, it spread from a few spots on the brain to the lining of the brain”.

Now, in order to fight it, Stephanie has to climb back into the chemotherapy chair. Even though Dr. Meshad is treating the same kind of cancer that spread, this round of chemotherapy is a lot different than what Stephanie has had before. She says, “it’s going good because it doesn’t make me sick. He (Dr. Meshad) said my hair wouldn’t come out - even though I don’t have any - it’s just different. Totally different”. But, Stephanie hopes the outcome will be much the same, pushing the cancer out, once again. “I feel good about it. I really do”, she says.

Even though the disease has spread to Stephanie’s brain, it’s still technically Inflammatory Breast Cancer. You can think of it like this: if you go to France, you don’t become French, you’re an American in France. It’s the same concept. The disease travels, but where it starts always identifies what it is.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer is an extremely rare, very aggressive, fast-growing and lethal form of breast cancer. Only 1 to 2 percent of all breast cancers are Inflammatory Breast Cancer. The disease literally takes over the breast. It’s not a lump. That’s why Inflammatory Breast Cancer usually does not show up on a mammogram.

But, there are other symptoms you can look for. They include redness, warmth, swelling of the breast. Skin that is reddish, purple or bruised. Skin that has ridges or appears pitted like an orange peel. Burning, aching or tenderness of the breast.

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should call your doctor.

source : myfoxgulfcoast.com