Breast Cancer: Nicole's Survivor Story

What happened, in summary

Nicole Bissinger was 44 when she described Paget carcinoma of the breast diagnosed in 2009. The first sign was a small wound on her right nipple. For about 1.5 years, it was treated as eczema with cortisone before a biopsy finally showed Paget carcinoma. Nicole had to decide very quickly whether to have the breast removed. She chose surgery, with an expander placed immediately. During chemotherapy, the breast was filled every 3 weeks. Anti-hormone treatment followed as 3-month depot injections, and in 2010 she had breast reconstruction using the DIEP-flap method. Chemotherapy was especially hard for her. She dealt with mood swings, severe bone pain, a metallic taste in the mouth, extreme tiredness, forgetfulness, and hair loss. Hormone treatment also had a major effect on daily life, including constant hunger, weight gain of more than 20 kg, and a long period when physical closeness felt impossible. Those changes contributed to the end of the relationship with the partner who had supported her through treatment. Nicole initially could not look at the operated breast, but a conversation with her doctor helped her take that step. She later became largely satisfied with the reconstruction and wrote a book to process the experience and help others.