Stage II Breast Cancer: Martha's Patient Story
This breast cancer diagnosis at a glance
- Stage at diagnosis
- Stage II
- Treatment
- surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and hormone therapy
- Outcome
- Care Ongoing
Treatment course, step by step
- Lumpectomy.
- Lymphadenectomy.
- Chemotherapy.
- Radiation therapy.
- Ongoing hormone therapy.
What happened, in summary
Martha noticed bleeding from her nipple and sought medical attention. After obtaining a second opinion because she wanted clearer information, she was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer. The diagnosis left her fearful, helpless, and worried, even after being told that her five-year survival estimate was 80%.
Her treatment included lumpectomy, lymphadenectomy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. She completed the active treatment and remained on hormone therapy. Treatment caused fatigue, lymphedema, and peripheral neuropathy. She managed these effects through prescribed medication, improved nutrition, and more regular exercise.
Cancer also affected intimacy with her partner. Martha hoped to travel more, spend time with friends, volunteer, accompany her daughter during a move, and take trips with her husband. She joined occupational, spiritual, yoga, and exercise groups to cope with pain and discomfort.
Over time, Martha became more optimistic, confident, courageous, hopeful, and thankful. She remained active in her family and community and encouraged others to view cancer as an illness that can be faced with medical care, faith, and personal strength.
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