Her Mastectomy Nearly Killed Her, But At Least She Was Cancer Free… Until It Came Back As Stage IV

Rays of Resilience: 31 Stories in 31 Days. So many people around the world have been affected by breast cancer, yet no two breast cancer journeys are the same. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re celebrating a new survivor every day. Their resilience is an inspiration to us all.


My name is Doreen.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013. I was devastated. This meant I had to break the news to my family — news that no one wants to tell their husband, their son and daughter, their siblings.

I had stage III ER+ hormonal cancer. I had to have a lumpectomy, mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy. I nearly lost my life during the mastectomy operation.

In 2017, I was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic breast cancer. I thought the pain was arthritis at first, but, unfortunately the cancer was in my bones. I have it in my neck, ribs, and few places in my spine. I am now on bone-strengthening injections.

I changed to another hormone therapy and I’m on a new drug called IBRANCE. I was so glad that with this treatment I didn’t lose my hair, as that was very hard the first time around.

I need to get three monthly CT scans. It’s not nice going through the waiting game every three months to hear if it has spread or not.

So far I’m stable. I have been told this is not curable but it is treatable.

Photo: Adobe Stock/chompoo

I have good days and bad days and get tired easy. My immune system is low because of treatment. Because of that, I’ve been admitted into the hospital for severe chest infections/pneumonia. I got out one day but then was back in two days later with broken ribs. Then a month later I had the MRSA super bug.

I don’t like people saying stuff like, “You can beat this. You’ve done it before.” Eh, no, this cancer doesn’t go away.

Photo: Adpbe Stock/asife

My family and friends are very good support. This cancer has not stopped me from living my life. I catch up with friends, have a laugh. I go to cinemas, theatres, spend holidays with family. My husband, family and friends have been such a great support to me. My husband has been my chauffeur. I don’t know where I would be without him.

Hopefully with this new treatment I have loads of years left to enjoy. I’ll be able to see my own kids settled with their own houses and partners, and see my gorgeous grandkids grow up.

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