Diagnosed with probable inflammatory breast cancer today

Hi all, I’m 60 years old and received a diagnosis today of probable IBC. 

I first noticed a red rash on my left breast at the beginning of Feb while I was really ill with ‘flu on holiday. I can only describe it as a few red areas the same size and shape as bruises. At that time I didn’t have any discomfort from these areas of inflammation.

I spoke to my nurse practitioner on 5th March - with a face-to-face appointment a couple of days later. She then referred me to the breast clinic. 2 weeks later I had an appointment, consult, mammogram, ultrasound and 7 biopsies. Surgeon thought it could be a ‘skin thing’. 

2 weeks later (today) and I have another face-to-face with the surgeon. He diagnosed cancer (probably inflammatory but he’s waiting on more tests). Got to have a CT scan, MRI scan and I think he said a biopsy from the right breast.

Time is of the essence, as anyone that knows anything about IBC will be aware. He talked me through the probable treatment - 6 months of 3 weekly chemo then mastectomy and I was then taken to a comfortable room where the nurse explained in detail what was to happen. 

I decided to share my diagnosis story so that anyone else, looking for information on IBC may come across this and have a small idea of what to expect next.

I’d read a lot about IBC so was as prepared as I could be for this news. People do say don’t Google but, by googling I was able to find survivor stories and information about this awful disease. I didn’t go in ‘blind’ I kind of knew what to expect. I’m at the beginning of this journey…and by the time I reach the end I will be well.