Hello all again - My 95 yr old mother is on hospice for chf for almost 2 yrs. She also has skin cancer - squamous cell carcinoma. She developed IBC last January - 2020. Started with a pea-sized lump in her left breast and the breast developed the typical red, dimpling on her whole breast. Hospice is aware of this and they check it when they see her. Lately it has gotten so much worse! Multiple Tumors, red/purple in color. It extends under her left armpit. It is shocking to see this. I don’t check it all the time because I can’t take the smell and the visual of it, as it just stays with me all day. But I saw it yesterday. I contacted the nurse on duty. I am worried about infection or septsis. Is this possible? My mother never complains and she says it doesn’t bother her! I can’t imagine that this is the truth. What can be expected from this? I feel this is worse than the other co-morbidities.
We were also told to put a tray of kitty litter under the bed to help with any escaping odors.
My sister died from breast cancer and it was very much like you describe. It didn't bother her, she was in pain because it had metastasized to her bones and her back was fractured in 6 places but, no pain in her breast.
Ask hospice to use the barrier cream and covering for moms comfort. You will probably have to change it on off days. Just a heads up. If you can not deal with it, I couldn't, get an aid or family or someone else to do it.
I was totally destroyed when I saw my sister for the first time, great big warm hug to you. I do understand how traumatic this is for you.
You are right, sepsis is right quick and saves much suffering.