Stage III Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Kelly's Survivor Story

What happened, in summary

Kelly was 33 when she folded her arms and felt a golf ball-sized lump near her left armpit. She had no family history of breast cancer and did not test positive for an inherited gene mutation, but imaging and biopsy confirmed triple-negative breast cancer. Her breast surgeon told her she was at least Stage III, and her oncology plan included chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Kelly changed oncologists before treatment because she wanted a team she trusted. Her final neoadjuvant chemotherapy plan was more intensive than the first proposal: 4 rounds of AC, made up of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, followed by 8 rounds of Taxol (paclitaxel) and 4 rounds of carboplatin. In total, she completed 16 chemotherapy treatments over about 6 months. Nausea was one of the hardest side effects, and her team used medications including Decadron, Zofran, and Ativan to help manage it. After chemotherapy, Kelly chose a nipple-sparing double mastectomy with under-the-muscle tissue expanders as part of reconstruction. She then had expander fills before starting radiation. Radiation lasted 28 rounds, about 1.5 months; her skin became red but did not peel or break open. As of February 2025, Kelly identified as a Stage IIIC triple-negative breast cancer survivor and used TNBC Thrivers to support others facing the disease.