Stage II Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Monica's Survivor Story

What happened, in summary

Monica was 36 when she felt a firm knot in her breast while working on shoulder strength after unrelated injuries. Imaging quickly raised concern, and a surgical biopsy led to a Stage IIB breast cancer diagnosis on November 2. Her doctors wanted chemotherapy right away because the cancer was aggressive. By November 16, she had started 4 rounds of AC, made up of Adriamycin and Cytoxan, followed by 4 rounds of Taxol. AC caused nausea, diarrhea, weight loss, and vein pain before she received a port. Taxol brought shortness of breath, constipation, neuropathy, and temporary facial symptoms, and her final dose had to be delayed. Monica then chose oncoplasty, a lumpectomy with reconstruction at the same time. Surgeons removed the tumor and a couple of lymph nodes. She completed 35 rounds of radiation, ending July 11, 2016, the day she was considered in remission. She also used Lupron during chemotherapy, later took Arimidex, and had a hysterectomy in April 2018. In fall 2018, Monica faced a separate cancer: undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma in her pectoral muscle. Treatment required a radical left mastectomy with DIEP flap on October 20, 2018, followed by emergency surgery and additional procedures for infection, open wounds, and fat necrosis. As of June 2026, she was rebuilding life after 2 cancer diagnoses.