Looking on the Bright Side
I had a mammogram in the fall of 2021 that indicated I needed a breast ultrasound. Everything looked okay, but six months later I felt a lump in my left breast which led to a biopsy. Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), which means that the biomarkers for estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors and HER2 are all absent. My younger sister had also been diagnosed with an early stage breast cancer, but my diagnosis was different.
Biomarker testing is so important because it determines the appropriate treatment. The fact that I was negative for all three meant that I wouldn’t benefit from HER2 or hormonally targeted treatment. However, it made me eligible for a different treatment that turned out to be very effective.
My oncologist explained that the standard of care for TNBC is six months of chemotherapy, followed by surgery and radiation. In addition, because of the biomarker results, I was eligible to take an immunotherapy drug along with the chemotherapy. I had a total of 16 treatments with the immunotherapy drug, starting with my first chemo treatment and continuing through the fall of 2023.
I was worried about the possible side effects, but my options were limited. Luckily,. my side effects were manageable and included fatigue, hair loss, and a mild rash. After the chemo and immunotherapy, I had a lumpectomy and breast reduction surgery on both breasts. This was a bonus, as I am happier with my smaller perky breasts!
Right in the midst of treatment, however, my doctors noticed a significant elevation in my Hemoglobin A1C, which is a marker for diabetes. I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and started taking medication. I was inspired to lose 30 pounds over the course of the next 6 months, which has improved my health significantly. While I would never recommend breast cancer as a weight loss strategy, I see my new smaller wardrobe as another plus of my treatment.
I have been blessed to have amazing health care professionals. Their knowledge and compassion has been comforting throughout this crazy roller-coaster ride! And, most importantly, the results of my treatment have been excellent and I’m hopeful that I will remain cancer free for years to come.