Thuggizzle Cares Breast Cancer Awareness

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 Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare and very aggressive disease in which cancer cells block lymph vessels in the skin of the breast. This type of breast cancer is called “inflammatory” because the breast often looks swollen and red, or inflamed. 

 Inflammatory breast cancer progresses rapidly, often in a matter of weeks or months. At diagnosis, inflammatory breast cancer is either stage III or IV disease, depending on whether cancer cells have spread only to nearby lymph nodes or to other tissues as well.  

 Lobular carcinoma in situ also known as LCIS is a condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lobules of the breast. This condition seldom becomes invasive cancer. However, having LCIS in one breast increases the risk of developing breast cancer in either breast. 

 Stage 1 Breast Cancer is divided into stages 1A and 1B. In stage 1A, the tumor is 2 centimeters or smaller and has not spread outside the breast. 

In stage 1B, no tumor is found in the breast or the tumor is 2 centimeters or smaller. Small clusters of cancer cells (larger than 0.2 millimeter but not larger than 2 millimeters) are found in the lymph nodes. 

 With stage 2B breast cancer a tumor larger than 2 centimeters is found but not larger than 5 centimeters. Small clusters of breast cancer cells larger than 0.2 millimeter but not larger than 2 millimeters are found in the lymph nodes; or

larger than 2 centimeters but not larger than 5 centimeters. Cancer has spread to 1 to 3 axillary lymph nodes or to the lymph nodes near the breastbone, and are found during a sentinel lymph node biopsy

 or

Larger than 5 centimeters. Cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes. 

 In stage 3A breast cancer no tumor is found in the breast or the tumor may be any size. Cancer is found in 4 to 9 axillary lymph nodes or in the lymph nodes near the breastbone, and are found during imaging tests or a physical exam

The tumor is larger than 5 centimeters. Small clusters of breast cancer cells (larger than 0.2 millimeter but not larger than 2 millimeters) are found in the lymph nodes

 or

The tumor is larger than 5 centimeters. Cancer has spread to 1 to 3 axillary lymph nodes or to the lymph nodes near the breastbone, and are found during a sentinel lymph node biopsy. 

 In stage 3C of breast cancer, no tumor is found in the breast or the tumor may be any size. Cancer may have spread to the skin of the breast and caused swelling or an ulcer and/or has spread to the chest wall. Also, cancer has spread to:

• 10 or more axillary lymph nodes
• Lymph nodes above or below the collarbone

or

• Axillary lymph nodes and lymph nodes near the breastbone.
  

 Cancer that has spread to the skin of the breast may also be inflammatory breast cancer.  

 In stage IV breast cancer, cancer has spread to other organs of the body, most often the bones, lungs, liver, or brain. 

 A Stage 3 Breast Cancer Survivor of 3 an a half years I just Met With. Bonnie Went Threw Radiation, Chemo Therapy & Surgery But After Participating In A Private Experimental Study She Didn't Have To Have A Mastectomy. 

 I was 26. I had just moved back to my home town to pursue a Masters in Education. As I lay in bed ready to fall asleep, I rested my hand on my chest, almost like I was about to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. I suddenly felt a small marble-like lump on my left breast. I quickly checked the right breast to see if it felt the same, it didn't! That night, I fell asleep praying to God for my health. The next day, I discussed my new discovery with my family, friends and of course my family doctor.   Soon, I was getting a mammogram. As I sat in the waiting room, 2 other women were waiting as well. I thought to myself, according to statistics, one of us sitting here may have breast cancer, and let's face it, it probably won't be me. I'm too young. A couple days later, I was scheduled for a biopsy to remove the tumor. A week later, I was going to get my results. I knew it was nothing. I was happy that morning; I got to miss a day of work, and was planning on coming home and relaxing! Little did I know that morning, my life would change forever.
I cried until I couldn't cry anymore.  A week later, I had a lumpectomy and the surgeon removed 3 lymph nodes. I quickly made an appointment to see an oncologist at the cancer center in Houston, a six hour drive from my hometown. We discussed my options, treatments, and recovery plans. When my oncologist told me I would lose my hair in 3 weeks after my first chemotherapy treatment, I decided to treat myself to a great haircut. I cut it shoulder length; I couldn't go any shorter, although in a couple of weeks it was going to be non-existent. I cried again. I know it's just hair, but it was my hair! Sure enough, like clockwork, within those 3 weeks, it began to fall in chunks, the chemotherapy had taken its toll. Six rounds! Six rounds of chemotherapy, traveling to and from Houston. Now I know I'm stronger than I thought!  My family and friends were very supportive. I got showered with get well cards, flowers, books, pajamas, socks, and my favorite… blankets/throws. There is something about a blanket that makes you feel safe, comforted…. loved. My friends threw me a scarf/hat party. They were to bring me a new hat or scarf, this way I wouldn't have to buy my own. Following the chemotherapy, I had radiation treatment: six weeks, five times a week. It has been 2 years, and I wish I could say it's behind me, but in reality, I'm terrified that the cancer will come back. 

In October 1996, I was a single working mom of three kids and six grand kids. One night as I was showering I discovered a lump in my left breast. I knew as soon as I felt it, I had cancer. After talking to my family doctor, a surgeon, a plastic surgeon and an oncologist, I decided to have a mastectomy on my left breast with an implant. And a breast reduction on my right breast all at the same time. I was eventually diagnosed with a low stage 2 breast cancer. I had one lymph node and part of another involved. My oncologist treated it aggressively so, I had seven rounds of chemotherapy. Of course I lost my hair and I gained about 40 pounds from all the steroids. My body really felt like it would explode. Also when I went for my first fill on my implant , I woke the next morning and all the saline was under my left arm. My implant had ruptured. I had it removed but not replaced. My daughter Sheryl took care of me because she lived with me. My other two kids Michael and Leslie visited often and brought my grand kids to visit and cheer me up. I kept a sense of humor and my grand kids would tell me I looked like Captain Hook with a bald head, which I did. I believe I survived because of God and prayer and the love and support of family and friends. On March 4, 2011 I took my beautiful daughter Sheryl to the emergency room. She was being treated for a bladder infection. As tests were performed, they discovered that she had a tumor the size of a honey dew melon. She was diagnosed with endometrial cancer which she never knew she had because she passed away on March 13, 2011. Just nine days later. I will never understand why I survived cancer and she did not.My family and I have a huge part of our family missing. And we will never be the same. I know my heart will never heal. Today I am 70 years old and I have a beautiful great grand daughter who has brought great joy to our lives. I just hope and pray that someday there will be a cure for cancer because it is a sneaky and deadly disease that ruins people's lives. Everyone count your blessings and God bless.

January of 2008 Linda was diagnosed with IDC - Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.   Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), sometimes called infiltrating ductal carcinoma, is the most common type of breast cancer. About 80% of all breast cancers are invasive ductal carcinomas. Invasive means that the cancer has “invaded” or spread to the surrounding breast tissues. Ducthmgfal means that the cancer began in the milk ducts, which are the “pipes” that carry milk from the milk-producing lobules to the nipple. Carcinoma refers to any cancer that begins in the skin or other tissues that cover internal organs such as breast tissue. All together, “invasive ductal carcinoma” refers to cancer that has broken through the wall of the milk duct and begun to invade the tissues of the breast. Over time, invasive ductal carcinoma can spread to the lymph nodes and possibly to other areas of the body. 

 I just met Jan a breast cancer survivor. She is a nice lady who does a lot for the community!!

It is important that you read my story because not all breast cancer can be found in the form of lumps.  

 I had just turned 24 years old on June 1, 2008 and my mother had just been diagnosed with DCIS stage 0 breast cancer and needed to have a lumpectomy with radiation to follow. The night she told my brother and I the news, I started hysterically crying. She said that the doctors said she would be fine. I was very upset about this news; however I was more upset because I knew I would be diagnosed with it too. That night I said to my family, I am going to get it. I just had a really bad feeling. Now I know to pay attention to bad feelings.  Two weeks later, my right nipple started to discharge blood. I freaked out. The next day I went to my gynecologist immediately. I had been on birth control pills for 6 years so my breasts were naturally denser. Therefore, I did not think anything could be wrong. She said that although it is rare for young women to experience serious problems with their breasts, I should go have a sonogram done that day. Discharging blood was definitely something to be concerned with. I went to have a sonogram which showed tons of calcium deposits, which sonograms are not supposed to show. I had so many that the radiologist thought it would be a good idea to have a biopsy done that day so they could figure out if I am in real danger. The biopsy showed precancerous cells throughout my milk ducts but they did not know how widespread the cells were. The next week I had a mammogram, an MRI, another biopsy, and a lymph node biopsy, which showed that my right breast had precancerous cells throughout the linings of my milk ducts but it was not invasive. There were no lumps at all. This was not something that could be felt. On July 23, 2008 I was diagnosed with DCIS stage 0 breast cancer and I would need to have a right breast mastectomy.  What I learned from this experience is that no matter how afraid you are, when something does not feel right to you, you need to go to the doctor. Your health is too valuable, and although the doctor might tell you something you don't want to hear, it is better to hear it now before it's too late to do something about it.