Stage IV Breast Cancer: Silvia's Patient Story

What happened, in summary

Silvia Litsching was 61, married, and the mother of 2 adult children when she described more than 20 years with breast cancer. She was first diagnosed in 1990 at age 38 after insisting that a breast lump be checked, even though earlier examinations had seemed reassuring. The lump was removed and found to be malignant. Chemotherapy was very hard, bringing severe nausea, vomiting, and fear about whether she would live to see another spring. Rehabilitation helped her laugh again and regain hope. In 1998, cancer returned. Surgery then required removal of the silicone implant placed after her first treatment, and radiation followed. Later, severe back and leg pain led to the discovery of bone metastases, and liver metastases were found the following year. Silvia went through more radiation and chemotherapy. When liver metastases returned again, she chose selective internal radiotherapy, or SIRT, after discussing difficult tradeoffs with her oncologist. She also used complementary approaches, including vitamin-B17 infusions and hyperthermia. Her bone metastases were treated with hormone therapy and bisphosphonates, and painful metastases improved after robot-guided radiosurgery. Despite metastatic disease, Silvia stayed active, questioned treatment decisions, advocated with insurers, joined a breast cancer forum, and continued to find strength in hiking and daily life.