Stage III Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Ximena's Patient Story

What happened, in summary

Ximena Nardelli, a Colombian woman living in the United States, was diagnosed with breast cancer at 40. She had been careful about yearly breast screening because her sister had breast cancer, but she did not initially feel a breast lump. Before a 2018 trip, she noticed swelling and discomfort near the axillary area. Her gynecologist did not feel anything clearly abnormal on exam but ordered imaging for reassurance. The mammogram led to additional views, and ultrasound showed several abnormal-looking lumps or masses. A needle biopsy followed after she returned from travel. The diagnosis was Stage III invasive ductal carcinoma. Ximena’s treatment included mastectomy, 16 chemotherapy sessions, and 21 radiation treatments. Her cancer was hormone-positive, so she also needed hormone therapy for 5 years. The chemotherapy drugs and hormone-therapy medicine were not named. Ximena described the emotional shock of hearing “cancer,” especially while her own sister was also going through breast cancer surgery. Her daughter, who was about 5 at the time, became her main reason to keep going. Her husband, family, and friends also became major sources of strength through treatment. As of February 2020, she framed her life as a life beyond cancer while continuing the planned hormone-therapy phase of care.