Jun 29, 2009 2:30 pm US/Pacific
Woman Battling Cancer Optimistic About Recovery
LOS ANGELES (CBS) ―
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Diana is battling inflammatory breast cancer or IBC, which rarely shows up on mammograms.
CBS
In November 2008, we brought you Diana Franklin's story, a look into a woman who was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer, or IBC. IBC is a rare, hard to detect cancer, where the cancer cells invade the lymph vessels right beneath the skin.
"I feel a lot more than lucky, I feel blessed that I'm still here...and talking to you" Diana said.
Six months ago, we first met Diana Franklin, five days after she was diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer, one that rarely shows up on mammograms.
"Disbelief, fear, scared, scared. I was gonna die, it was awful, I'm at a lot better place now. I have incredible doctors around me, I have the best friends and family in the world" Diana said.
Diana has what's called inflammatory breast cancer or IBC, where the cancer cells spread out under the skin of the breast. Rarely is there a lump to feel or show up on a scan. Last November, Diana was sent to surgical breast specialist Dr. Kristi Funk of
Pink Lotus Breast Center from her primary physician when one round of antibiotics didn't work.
Diana's breast felt heavy, was red, the area around the nipple started to turn a greenish yellow and the nipple became inverted. Eventually her breast got hot to the touch and started itching. All signs of IBC.... Dr. Kristi Funk knew right away what it was.
"Why is Diana so lucky? She pursued changes in her breast and her physician after a few days of antibiotics sent her to me, the next day it was diagnosed...this all happened within a week" Dr. Kristi Funk said.
Many times, doctors mistake this for a breast infection and continue to prescribe antibiotics week after week and by that time the cancer goes from curable to incurable.
"Diana "has" been through a lot in these past six months, chemotherapy, a modified radical mastectomy, more chemotherapy...and now radiation.... her response, phenomenal..." Dr. Kristi Funk said.
"I would say that Diana does not have any cancer cells in her body because we cannot find them..." Dr. Kristi Funk said.
Diana's treatment is going well, still just one in 4 women with inflammatory breast cancer survive five years, Diana plans to be part of that group
"I want to offer hope for people who have never heard of this breast cancer and for me to be an example of someone who can make it" Diana said.
At the core of Diana Franklin is an inner strength, there are no guarantee's when it comes to this disease. Positive attitude, dreams to achieve, what makes up this woman fighting this deadly disease is all of these and in the end...will she make it?...
"Absolutely, absolutely, yes… I want to be the textbook of miracles, yes…" Diana said.
You can email Diana Franklin at dianaf@octitle.com.
For more information on Dr. Kristi Funk of Pink Lotus Breast Center,
click here. You can also email the center at
mail@pinklotusmedical.com.
To learn about inflammatory breast cancer, log onto the
IBC Research Foundation.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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