Stage IV Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Dalitso's Patient Story

What happened, in summary

Dalitso was 38 when invasive ductal breast cancer was first found in 2020. She had noticed a hardening breast mass years earlier, along with weight loss, fatigue, and back pain that had been attributed to other health issues. A mammogram first suggested Stage II disease, but after her breast surgeon saw how much back pain she had, an urgent PET scan changed the picture: the cancer was Stage IV, with bone metastases and a spinal fracture. Treatment began during the early pandemic. Before planned spine radiation, the bone fractured further and she became paralyzed from the belly down, requiring an emergency cement injection into the fracture. She then completed high-intensity, short-duration radiation to the spine. Systemic treatment included Faslodex injections and Ibrance pills, which helped the cancer respond but caused severe side effects, including blood-count problems, heart issues, repeated hospitalizations, and intense pain. By August 2021, Dalitso entered hospice-level care and spent years needing major pain support. Later, worsening pain revealed more bone spread, including broken ribs, sternum, hip sockets, and additional spine fractures. A new trial or drug approach was attempted but stopped after swelling, blood clots, and pneumonia. As of October 2025, later CT imaging showed no visible active disease, and Dalitso was living around faith, motherhood, and family milestones.