What happened, in summary

Mina had no symptoms when a mammogram found a tumor during health checks arranged in her final month of job-based insurance. She was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer and felt frightened, helpless, and worried.

The original treatment plan included mastectomy. After a good response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy, her doctor recommended lumpectomy instead, and Mina agreed to the less extensive surgery. She also used nutritional supplements and traditional Japanese herbs alongside cancer treatment. Hair loss, reduced appetite, nausea, and vomiting were among the treatment effects, and she used a cold cap and focused on nutrition.

Mina later said she was in remission and no longer required medication. She reduced her alcohol intake, adopted a healthier diet, and stayed in closer contact with her parents. Cancer delayed her hope of opening a bakery, but that goal continued to motivate her. She also hoped to visit relatives in Japan and attend her sister’s wedding, while fear of recurrence and future medical costs remained concerns.