What happened, in summary

Alison was 34 and breastfeeding when she found a lump under her right arm. Biopsies confirmed triple-positive breast cancer in the breast and axillary lymph nodes. After HER2 testing returned equivocal 3 times, the final result guided a TCHP regimen: Taxotere, carboplatin, Herceptin and Perjeta every 3 weeks for 6 cycles. MRI showed a major response.

She then underwent a bilateral mastectomy with right axillary lymph-node removal, followed by radiation, ovarian suppression with Lupron, anastrozole and completion of 6 months of trastuzumab.

Soon afterward, Alison felt a new neck lymph node. Biopsy confirmed recurrent breast cancer and stage 4 disease. A second-opinion regimen combined gemcitabine, fractionated cisplatin, 5-FU and leucovorin. Imaging after 1 round showed a 60% reduction, and additional treatment produced complete remission. A second neck-node recurrence required another change: Adriamycin, cyclophosphamide and Abraxane with Herceptin, followed by consolidation radiation. During radiation, capecitabine replaced Adriamycin.

Once remission was restored, Alison continued maintenance chemotherapy on alternating treatment and rest months. After reaching the lifetime Adriamycin limit, she changed to Navelbine. At the latest update, she had remained in complete remission since August 2017 while receiving 1 month of chemotherapy followed by 2 months off. She focused on parenting, counseling and taking the experience one day at a time.