What happened, in summary

Marissa was 31 and raising young children when fatigue, nighttime hot flashes, restless legs, and a lump in her right breast led to testing. On February 17, 2024, biopsy confirmed Stage II invasive lobular carcinoma in the right breast, with positive lymph nodes. Her initial team discussed hormone therapy, surgery, and radiation, with chemotherapy uncertain because lobular carcinoma may respond less well to it. Genetic testing showed a BRCA2 mutation. Marissa felt afraid of side effects and sought an integrative clinic, declining the initial standard treatments. She later used a PARP inhibitor for BRCA2, HER2-negative disease for about 4 months, but the cancer developed resistance and progressed to bone, making the diagnosis Stage IV. Looking back, she said she regretted not starting hormone therapy sooner. Once she began hormone blockers, her breast tumors were gone within about 1 month, but bone marrow/bone disease, lymph nodes, and skull lesions still needed treatment. She started low-dose oral chemotherapy in March 2025 and continued supportive therapies at her clinic to help with bone pain, fatigue, hot flashes, and early-menopause symptoms from hormone blockade. As of October 2025, Marissa was still in active Stage IV treatment, supported by her husband, mother, and stepfather while focusing on time with her children.