Stage IV HR-Positive Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Jeri's Patient Story

What happened, in summary

Jeri was a retired oncology registered nurse living near West Chester, Pennsylvania, when an annual mammogram found part of an abnormal-looking lymph node. She had just turned 60 and felt active and well. Biopsy of the lymph node showed invasive lobular carcinoma, and a PET scan found several active areas, including an enlarged ovary. Surgery then identified ILC in both ovaries, the fallopian tubes, and the uterus. A bone scan also found bone metastases. Jeri was diagnosed in April 2021 with de novo metastatic ILC. Her biomarkers were ER-positive, PR-negative, and HER2-negative. Even with her oncology background, Jeri found LBCA’s information helpful because it explained ILC’s unusual metastatic patterns and why traditional imaging can miss it. Treatment was difficult at first. Two estrogen-therapy-based combinations, each paired with another drug, were unsuccessful, and the cancer progressed after each. Ten months after diagnosis, Jeri started a different drug and her disease stabilized. She also worked with an oncology-certified physical therapist because bone metastases and osteoporosis made some forms of exercise unsafe. As an active former runner and cyclist, she wanted to keep moving without increasing fracture or spinal-compression risk. Jeri used social media to educate others about ILC and raise funds for LBCA.