Hi there,
My mum has been diagnosed with IBC...apparently rare and very aggressive. I'm just looking for some support as I'm feeling quite overwhelmed... I feel like I'm on a rollercoaster I can't get off. Treatment has been a constant uphill battle with awful side effects, along with a stay in hospital due to an infection that led to sepsis.
We have also been told there is a possible genetic aspect as she has had breast cancer prior to this (not inflammatory) in her 40s, and the family history is suspicious with people getting ovarian and breast cancers.
I am trying to keep a brave face but I am terrified. She is being offered genetic testing, but from research it would seem that not all the genes linked to breast/ovarian cancer are known yet. Both of my mum's cancers have been extraordinarily aggressive and I am so scared.
I am also worried about the prognosis for IBC...she has had a good response to treatment but the stats do not look great for this type and I worry about it coming back. Sorry for the long post and rant, I'm just so angry and upset and I've not really got anyone to talk to that understands any of this. I was supposed to see a friend today for new year but I'm just not feeling like celebrating so I cancelled and now I feel bad. I'm struggling.
Will things ever feel normal again? It all happened so fast...Suddenly I'm being faced with the prospect of losing my mum again and I find that unbearable.
Hi Twinkletoes3
Sorry to hear about your mum, especially as it looks like her second round with cancer. In your position we would all struggle and it is not easy to find someone to talk to unless they are in a similar situation - one reason our community exists.
When someone works out what normal is perhaps we can all move there. However cancer is really much more common than we might thing so perhaps we have just found a new normal. Seeing others celebrating can be tough so I understand why you cancelled. When I opened up about my wife's cancer at work I found lots of new friends who revealed there own struggles.
<<hugs>>
Steve
