inflammatory breast cancer

I had an exam by a nurse practioner, who felt the large hardening spot and she ordered a mammogram.  I have no health insurance so I had/have to go to UMC here in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Had the mammogram, then I receive a letter telling me that I need a ultrasound, had that and then I am told that I need a biopsy of that area.    However, these two doctors/interns tell me that the mammogram and ultrasound did not show anything. ??????        I was given  a choice of having a biopsy right then and there or waiting a month to see if there were any changes.  I thought that I would be real tough and chose the month wait.  Once home I realized that I should not wait.  So I called UMC & scheduled an appointment with the breast clinic to have the biopsy done.

Once there I had to see a new intern who told me that breast cancer does not have any pain at all and that he thought I should be able to feel a solid round mass, not the hardened large "spot" that he also felt.  He refused to do the biopsy.

I had breast reduction surgery back in 1995 and was told by this new intern that he thought I was having post surgical reactions. ????????  12yrs later !!!!! He also told me that since I had no family history of breast cancer, since I am 40 yrs old that I am very low risk.  Although cancer runs on both sides of my family tree.  dad died at 42 yrs old of leukemia, mom at 58 of cancer (colon, liver) grandmother at 70 yrs old (lung, colon, ovarian) other grandmother (brain tumor) grandfather (throat cancer) on and on and on.......

My left arm is now aching off and on all of the time and my fingers are going numb.  My hand is clubing at times and my joints are hurting me.   I also (this week) started feeling aches & pains/cramps in my legs/joints.  I also have developed a cough and the feeling of it being hard for me to breath . I have NEVER been a smoker    I am incredibly tired.  feels like I could sleep forever.  It's affecting my job.  Just want to lay down and sleep all of the time.

I AM IN NEED OF A NAME OF AN INFLAMMATORY BREAST CANCER SPECIALIST IN THE LAFAYETTE LOUISIANA AREA.  

I do not have health insurance, but do keep a good cancer policy.   I can't keep going round and round with UMC.  I need to get to the bottom of this.  I am very scarred at this point.

Thanks for replying.  It means the world to me that someone is willing to listen.

It was the doctor in charge who suggested that I get the biopsy the first time that I chose to wait a month. 
They were going to do a ultrasound guided needle biopsy from several different spots from my left breast.  I really could kick myself for not having gone through with it.

Thanks for the advice & looking up info for me.  I will call a local oncology office to maybe get a name of a specialist.  And if all else fails, I will drive a few hours to Houston to get answers.

Thanks again,

Denise

Another avenue to check for assistance is with your State Health Department.  They may have a "Woman's Program" that could possibly assist with getting tests done.

Good Luck.  My prayers are with you.

Rhoda