Stage I Breast Cancer: Susanna's Patient Story
This breast cancer diagnosis at a glance
- Stage at diagnosis
- Stage I
- Treatment
- surgery and chemotherapy
Treatment course, step by step
- She underwent breast-conserving surgery with lumpectomy.
- She received chemotherapy.
What happened, in summary
Susanna sought medical attention after noticing a swollen breast and was diagnosed with Stage I breast cancer. The diagnosis came as a shock and brought fear, helplessness, worry and confusion about what might happen next. Her doctor recommended breast-conserving surgery with lumpectomy and chemotherapy. After considering the medical recommendation and doing her own research, Susanna chose to proceed with both treatments. Having a plan brought relief, motivation and hope. Hair loss was the most prominent treatment side effect, although Susanna did not take specific steps to manage it. After treatment, the cancer experience continued to affect daily life and relationships. Intimacy with Susanna’s partner decreased after the diagnosis, even as the partner remained an important source of reassurance during periods of fear. Susanna’s greatest concern was becoming sicker and losing physical or emotional strength. Rather than setting elaborate future plans, Susanna wants to live as normally and fully as possible, spend time with a partner and friends, enjoy live shows and musicals, and eventually travel to New York with a close friend.
Where this story comes from
This is a lay summary of an account first published by Our Cancer Stories. Read the original in full
How we source and attribute stories Accuracy and limitations
These are lay summaries of published cancer stories, for information only. No two cancers behave the same way, and nothing here predicts your own diagnosis or replaces advice from your oncology team. Read the full disclaimer