Stage III Breast Cancer: Mary's Survivor Story
This breast cancer diagnosis at a glance
- Stage at diagnosis
- Stage III
- Treatment
- surgery, reconstruction, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy and supportive care
- Outcome
- Cancer-Free / NED
Treatment course, step by step
- Mastectomy, lymphadenectomy, and breast reconstruction were performed on the same day.
- Four rounds of chemotherapy were completed.
- Thirty-seven rounds of radiation therapy were completed.
- Hormone therapy was received.
- Pain medication was used for symptom management.
What happened, in summary
Mary was diagnosed with stage 3 metaplastic breast cancer in May 2007 after an 11-month delay. She had noticed a lump in her left breast, along with nipple discharge, redness, irritation, and thickening. Across nine medical visits, mammography, scanning, biopsy, and excision biopsy initially produced negative results. The eventual diagnosis left her angry, frightened, confused, and disappointed, and she sought a second opinion from a more experienced doctor.
Her treatment began with mastectomy, lymphadenectomy, and breast reconstruction performed on the same day. She then completed four rounds of chemotherapy and 37 rounds of radiation therapy. Hormone therapy and pain medication were also part of her care. Treatment brought fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, and difficulty with body image. She managed these effects through prescribed medication, improved nutrition, meditation, and swimming.
Mary later entered remission and no longer required treatment. The experience permanently changed how she approached her health, and she continued to focus on a healthier diet and a more positive outlook. Her greatest fear had been death, but she learned to focus on living each day and removing negative influences from her life.
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