Stage I Breast Adenocarcinoma: Debbie's Survivor Story

What happened, in summary

Debbie Wade had abnormal nipple discharge for almost 4 years before her Stage I breast cancer diagnosis. Starting in 2017, she noticed blood-tinged fluid from her left breast. Biopsy showed intraductal papillomas, and a surgeon removed them, but discharge later returned on the right side and then again from the left. Multiple biopsies were negative, and her mammogram was normal, but Debbie kept asking for a double mastectomy because she felt something was wrong. In November 2021, she felt a new lump above her left breast, and her husband urged her to call MD Anderson. Her team confirmed mucinous adenocarcinoma of the left breast. Surgery to remove the left breast was recommended, and Debbie chose to have both breasts removed because of her history. She had a double mastectomy on March 8, 2022. Her medical oncologist said chemotherapy was not needed, but she received 4 weeks of radiation therapy. Debbie also underwent DIEP flap reconstruction and a later revision. The first reconstruction was difficult because radiation had hardened tissue and she naturally forms scar tissue; her surgeon spent 12 hours working through abdominal adhesions to use tissue from her abdomen. As of February 2024, Debbie was cancer-free, with only mild left-arm lymphedema reported.