Bobert, I'm so sorry to hear of your wife's encounter with IBC. THe poor woman went thru hell. You did as well watching her suffering.

I've had a double masectomy about 3 yrs. ago. Last year at this time I had pain, redness, heat in a fold of skin left after the surgery. I searched all over the internet & found a great site* which spoke of IBC. Went immediately to my GP - he never heard of IBC. Then to my oncologist - he prescribed 2 wks. of anti-biotics. HE also sent me to a surgeon(I guess-really for a second opinion) This JERK laughed at me when I said "I read about this on the internet!" From questions I asked-I think he _Never_ heard of IBC. I can't tell you how ticked off I was at this dope.

In any event - it took an extra week of anti-biotics to clear this up. (I did not have the orange peel look).

*On the site- A Dr. from Nova Scotia had all the symptoms-(She had never heard of IBC)-she was put on antibiotics--in the two weeks delay-it had spread to her liver. I do not know how she made out. I will try to find that site & post it here.

Ladies: A cautionary: Cancer does not always present itself with a lump. I had no lump in either breast. Don't put off mammograms because no one in your family had BC. GO GET A MAMMOGRAM. Then--if you are told you do have cancer---GET TWO OTHER OPINIONS!!!
My left breast was taken - and it was later found to be non- cancerous. My Dr. was head of Surgical oncology at Vassar Bros. Hospital-Poughkeepsie, NY. I thought he was the best!   Little did I know - Shit rises! You can see--I'm still sooo angry!