Kirsten's Story: Maintaining positivity and strength.
Early June 2022, I went for a routine mammogram. I have dense breasts, so I've had ultrasounds after the mammogram. This time, I had two ultrasounds. The tech and then, the radiologist wanted to perform one. He asked me if I had any recent trauma to my left breast, as he detected a darker area. I didn't have any trauma, said perhaps the seatbelt put pressure on it while driving. He said, no. He recommended I go for a biopsy.
I was a bit concerned, but I was reassured by several close friends that they've had several breast biopsies and they're fine. Within the week, I had the biopsy. I thought I eat healthy, exercise, and it's just a test to rule out. Six days later, my PCP called me. She's never called me, so I was surprised. She received the results of the biopsy and said it is positive for breast cancer. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. It felt like a dream. She was very nice, supportive, and said keep staying positive only, it's not a death sentence. I said of course, I'm staying positive.
After the call, I was thinking this is not happening. I told my husband about the phone call and the results. I was emotional, in disbelief. Remember saying how life has been exhausting over the past 1-2 years. My mom being sick and in/out of the hospital, then, passed away 10 months prior. Our two dogs passed away, one two months after my mom, then, the other one the day after my biopsy. As a therapist (LCSW), I'm the one who helps others, cares for loved ones when they are ill, and after this past year, I just don't want to be dealing with anything else. It was a lot to take in, but I kept telling myself all will be well and I've got this! My husband was right there with me, so wonderful and supportive. As he's a cancer survivor, 12 years at that time.
The next steps happened quickly. I went to see the breast surgeon, she said it is very common, even with eating very healthy and exercising. I had an MRI and genetic testing. She called me with the pathology results. The tumor is strongly positive for estrogen and progesterone, she said that's a good combination together. Stage 1A. 6mm. It's negative for HER2. The proliferation index growth rate, which is 1% to 100%, mine is 3%, which means it's very slow growing. She said that's great because you want the lowest number possible. Surgery was scheduled for a lumpectomy and to remove lymph nodes from the underarm area to test.
I had surgery mid July 2022, two days before my 47th birthday. I was told the surgery went well, as the tumor and lymph nodes were removed. I thought I would be a bit sore and tired, but I'll be okay and get back to work in a day or two. I was in more pain than I imagined. Numbness, sharp, burning pain on the inner part of my under arm to my elbow. Not able to touch it or stand up straight. I took a couple of days off from work.
I celebrated my birthday with family at home 2 days after my surgery. So grateful and thankful, yet still all surreal.
I decided to share my experience with my close colleagues and friends, as I think it's important information to share. As a preventative, to advocate, educate, make it a norm to discuss, and to support each other. So thankful it was caught and diagnosed early! So grateful for the radiologist who did the ultrasound and recommended a biopsy.
The pain continued over the next couple of weeks, my shoulder, underneath my under arm, down my arm, across my chest, sharp, stabbing, burning, and numb at the same time. I could barely lift my arm.
I met with the Oncologist to discuss treatment and radiation. She recommended occupational therapy to help with my arm, see the radiation doctor to discuss treatment, and once radiation is complete, start Tamoxifen for 5 years. Two weeks after surgery, I went to the lymphedema clinic, for occupational therapy. She said I have a lot of scar tissue where the lymph nodes (6 total) were taken out and part of my pain is from "Cording." She said it was good that I didn't wait longer to get in for treatment sessions as I have cording across my chest, to my collarbone, my inner left arm, and down toward my wrist. She described it as guitar strings, and said massaging and stretching will pop it and I should have relief and less pain over time. 6-8 weeks of OT for my arm.
I met with the radiation doctor. Had the mapping scan. She said if under age 50 they recommend, 20 treatments. The whole breast 16, the part where the cancer was 4 treatments. Discussed side effects and risks. I was fitted for a compression sleeve to wear to help with the cording to wear during radiation.
I went for radiation in the morning before work, M-F, along with OT treatment throughout the week for the cording. While I continued working F/T from home. It was nonstop, but I was determined to keep pushing forward. After my 6th radiation treatment, I felt a small lump on my right breast. It was a little scary, as I never felt a lump or had any symptoms with my left breast. I went for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. They said it's likely dense tissue built up in a small little area and to monitor it.
After my 15th radiation treatment, I started to experience pain in my back. I thought maybe I pulled something. The radiation doctor recommended taking Ibuprofen. The radiation doctor ordered a chest x-ray and it was clear. I continued with the radiation treatments, 18th treatment. I had difficulty getting on/off the radiation table. The pain worsened over the next few days, to where breathing was painful. I spoke with my PCP and she said go to the ED. I thought it was perhaps a bad upper respiratory infection. I had the CT SCAN of my chest, another chest x-ray, EKG, and labs. I met the medical director of the ED, he said it's pericarditis, likely due to the 18 radiation treatments I've had, specifically the location, and that is causing the pain in my chest and back. He was glad that it wasn't a pulmonary embolism. He spoke with a cardiologist, who said to stop the last two radiation treatments. To call him on his cell if anything worsens before seeing him in the office in the next few days. He prescribed 3 medications to treat the pericarditis. Met with the cardiologist, he said to continue with the medication for a few months, and not overexert myself with exercising for 3 months. My symptoms improved gradually over the next few months.
With the OT, the cording improved, I still had some numbness and pain in the under part of my arm, from the surgery.
After I had the biopsy, my friend shared a song with me by Sia, Titanium. I love that song and it's been my morning get up and go to help keep me motivated. Find things to motivate you!
I didn't complete the recommended 20 radiation treatments as scheduled. With everything I went through up to that point, I said, I'm a Super Rockstar for completing 18 radiation treatments, working full-time, and continuing to push forward and doing my best to stay positive. I went back to see a radiation doctor for a follow up a few months after treatment ended. I rang the bell! Hooray!
Follow ups over the next couple of years, scans all good. In February 2025, I started having pain in my left breast and noticed an indentation. In March 2025 I had diagnostic mammograms on both breasts and an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed darkness which they said is fluid, likely seroma, as it's the area is where the cancer was removed in July 2022. The radiologist recommended having a cyst aspiration procedure to remove it. I was surprised as it was over 2 years since the surgery and I tried not to be anxious, though it was concerning. I went for the procedure and the fluid was drained, said it looks like classic seroma, and no blood or anything concerning with the color. I still have a small indentation in the area but I'm grateful it wasn't more serious.
I have much gratitude for the care I received, the loved ones who supported me and continue to be by my side, and for my strength and resiliency. Every day is a gift.