Breast Cancer: Bianca's Patient Story

What happened, in summary

Bianca Winkler was 38, self-employed, and raising 2 young daughters when a routine gynecologic exam found an abnormality in her breast. Mammography followed, but the biopsy still did not give a clear answer. At the end of 2012, breast-conserving surgery confirmed breast cancer. The sentinel lymph node was not involved, so the breast surgery was complete. Chemotherapy was then started. Bianca was still in chemotherapy while caring for daughters aged 1.5 and 6. The winter was especially hard: she developed a thrombosis at her port, had fever and low white blood cell counts, and she and the children were often ill. As spring arrived, she felt stronger again. Supportive acupuncture and nutrition advice from a TCM doctor helped her manage side effects, and she avoided supplements during chemotherapy because she worried about interactions. Bianca handled the diagnosis openly. At first, she told her older daughter the operation was cosmetic, but after speaking with a breast care nurse, she decided to name the cancer honestly. Hair loss was especially difficult for her daughter, and humor around the wig helped the family cope. Bianca continued to value work, Flying Yoga, her partner, her sister, and practical help from friends as she moved through treatment.