December 30, 2015 the day my life changed forever.  My family and I were on Christmas vacation in Florida, enjoying sunshine and warmth from the cold of Wisconsin.  Daughter #1, age 26, and her boyfriend were returning from their Disney fun of two days later that day.  Daughter #2, age 21, and my husband were looking forward to sunshine and cocktails beachside later in the afternoon.

I went in the bathroom in the morning to get ready, and for whatever reason actually looked at my breasts after my shower.  One looked different than the other, the right one.  Bruised and purplish-pink almost.  I had no lumps, I checked all the time.  There had been soreness, but I still get my period so I assumed it was near that time and the soreness was due to that.  Now I wasn't so sure.  Looking at the nipple it also looked strange, like it was infected, yellowish in color and thick.  Now I'm worried, and said out loud "Shit, I have breast cancer."  (Background, I lost my mother to breast cancer 11 years ago.  No other family history though.)  I was 2 weeks away from my annual mammogram, which I have done since I was 39 because of my mother's diagnosis.

Well, it's also family vacation and we are going to enjoy the Badger game, and the New Year's Eve on Main Street in Daytona Beach.  A call was made to make THE appointment with my doctor upon returning to WI and life went on.  Knowing now, I would have eaten more fresh seafood before I left.  Guess it will wait.  :)

January 4, 2016.  First appointment with my primary doctor.  She is as smart as they come.  In one look she told me I potentially had Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC).  The give away was the peau d'orange, orange peel skin on my breast.  We could hold out hope it was an infection since they act the same, but....she made arrangements for a mammogram and an ultrasound immediately.  Tests #1 and #2.  Mammogram, nothing.  Ultrasound, nothing unusual.  Actually was told lymphs were of a normal size of "anyone walking in off the street".  My husband and I were momentarily elated and crying.  We did question the thickness of the skin, it was inconclusively addressed.  Later in the final report a biopsy was recommended, after I had already demanded one.

A final call to the doctor confirmed the request for further diagnosis.  She gave us names of oncologists and surgeons and now it was up to us to decide where to go from here.  Elation short-lived, back to worrying.