Stage II HR-Positive Breast Cancer: Kelsey's Patient Story

What happened, in summary

Kelsey was 27 when she felt a slightly tender breast lump in May 2023. Her primary care doctor initially thought it might be a cyst, but ultrasound and mammogram showed something more serious: Stage IIB estrogen-positive breast cancer. The diagnosis was overwhelming, especially as a young mother of a toddler, and her first fear was that she would die. Treatment began with AC-T chemotherapy using Adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, and Taxol to target the fast-growing tumor. Taxol caused an anaphylactic reaction, so her team switched her to Abraxane. Chemotherapy brought severe fatigue and nausea, but Kelsey also learned to stop pushing through every symptom and accept her limits. About 1 month after chemotherapy ended, she had a double mastectomy with left axillary lymph node removal and immediate reconstruction. Recovery was difficult, with nerve pain, cording, and nearly 6 months before she could raise her arm over her head again. Nearly 2 months after surgery, she started 16 radiation sessions to the left side. As of May 2025, Kelsey was continuing tamoxifen, planning 2 years of Verzenio, and receiving Lupron shots to protect ovarian function after fertility preservation was not possible. Kelsey described her toddler as a source of joy and motivation throughout treatment.