Breast Cancer: Constance's Survivor Story

What happened, in summary

Constance Porter was treated for breast cancer and became cancer-free, but some effects of treatment lasted far longer than she expected. She lost her hair during chemotherapy and was often told not to worry because it would grow back. Instead, she developed alopecia areata after chemotherapy, and her hair did not return. She also described having to give up her right breast to be free of cancer, although the exact surgery name was not shared. The hardest acute side effect was severe nausea and vomiting. The first chemotherapy round containing doxorubicin, known as “the red devil,” hit her hard, and the second was worse. She was hospitalized twice at MD Anderson’s Emergency Center for rehydration because she could not keep food or water down. Another side effect was neuropathy, with pain in her fingertips and toes. Because she teaches and needs to type and stand for hours, she sought help early through MD Anderson’s Integrative Medicine Center. Acupuncture twice a week for 6 weeks made the neuropathy go away completely. As of January 2020, 3 years after her breast cancer diagnosis, Constance was cancer-free. She still had permanent hair loss, joint pain from anastrozole hormone therapy and occasional leg cramps, but she had accepted being bald and returned to MD Anderson as a volunteer.