Stage II HR-Positive Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Cat's Survivor Story
This breast cancer diagnosis at a glance
- Stage at diagnosis
- Stage II
- Subtype
- Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
- Biomarkers
- ER-positive; Oncotype recurrence risk discussed
- Sex
- Female
- Treatment
- surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and reconstruction
- Outcome
- Cancer-Free / NED
Treatment course, step by step
- Diagnosed at the end of June after left breast lump and ultrasound/biopsy workup
- bilateral mastectomy on 1 August 2018 with lymph node biopsy and tissue expanders
- pathology found 2 tumors: 5-cm invasive ductal carcinoma and 3-cm in situ tumor
- Oncotype result led to 4 months of chemotherapy; drugs not remembered
- Neulasta dose reduced after severe bone pain
- exchange surgery to implants
- tamoxifen started because tumor was ER-positive and taken for about 11 months
- no radiation needed
- fat transfer surgery in May 2019
- chronic post-mastectomy pain and frozen shoulder symptoms managed with referrals and supportive care.
What happened, in summary
Cat was diagnosed with Stage IIB breast cancer after feeling a lump in her left breast. An ultrasound raised immediate concern, and biopsy confirmed cancer. She was diagnosed at the end of June and chose to wait until after a family trip and school commitments before surgery in August. Cat decided on a full bilateral mastectomy because of the cancer, calcifications, and her concerns about reconstruction symmetry. Surgery on August 1, 2018, included lymph node sampling and placement of tissue expanders. Pathology showed 2 separate tumors: a 5-cm invasive ductal carcinoma and a 3-cm in situ tumor. After surgery, an Oncotype result led her oncologist to recommend chemotherapy. Cat did 4 months of chemotherapy, though she did not remember the drug names. Severe bone pain after Neulasta led her team to halve the dose for later infusions. She did not need radiation. Reconstruction continued with exchange surgery to implants, followed by a fat transfer in May 2019. Because her tumor was ER-positive, she started tamoxifen and stayed on it for about 11 months, but side effects were difficult. As of June 2026, Cat described herself as cancer-free, while still dealing with chronic post-mastectomy pain and the emotional fear that cancer could return.
Where this story comes from
This is a lay summary of an account first published by The Patient Story. 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