My Breast Cancer Story
By Lori-ann Cunningham
I was 63 years old, taking care of my two young grandchildren every day. I was diagnosed in December of 2023 after a routine mammogram. Just the year before I was given an all clear, but this time there was a suspicious area in my right breast. No lump or tenderness felt on self-exam or by my doctor. After a biopsy of the area, I was diagnosed with Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer. My reaction to the news was strange. I remember that I didn’t feel as shocked as I thought I would, but the anxiety kicked in full force., crying jags, panic attacks etc.
I had an appointment with both a breast surgeon, and the medical Oncologist. My case was presented at tumor board at AMC. After an MRI my final diagnosis was determined to be Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer stage IIa, Er+/Pr +, Her2 -. The tumor had invaded my chest muscle at this point.
I underwent BRCCA gene testing which was thankfully negative. It was decided that the best course of treatment for me was to take Letrozole as Neo-Adjuvant Therapy for 6 months before surgery to shrink the tumor, then a lumpectomy and radiation, and continue with Letrozole 5-10 years. The tumor did shrink about 45% and did pull out of the chest wall. As I was nearing the time for the lumpectomy, I fainted and fell, breaking my right arm. This caused surgery to be delayed from June to late august. I underwent a lumpectomy and sentinel node retrieval at the end of August 2024. The pathology report said that the margins were clear, and the lymph nodes were clear. I figured all I had to do was heal then I could move on to radiation. However, I developed vascular changes and swellings of the breast and arm. Lymphedema was the diagnosis and needed to be brought under control before radiation. I also developed seroma.
Radiation was delayed until mid-November. Went through 20 rounds of radiation. Shortly after completion I noticed the seroma became hard and painful. Off to the surgeon again! Ultrasound determined the seroma was too large to just drain. Off to surgery again! During what I thought was surgery to remove the seroma it was found to be an abscess. Drains, packing weekly visits to the surgeon and some high-powered antibiotics consumed the next 4 weeks. The wound healed poorly, I was left with a deformed and painful breast. After much soul searching and talking with my husband and the surgeon, it was decided that the best course of action was the right mastectomy. Since I had healed poorly, the surgeon did not recommend a bilateral mastectomy and said I would also not be a candidate for reconstruction. August 2025, I underwent the mastectomy, the pathology came back clear. Unfortunately, so did the lymphedema, and a case of what was termed Radiation Recall Syndrome. The blisters and redness experienced from radiation returned above the mastectomy incision. Back to PT. Back to Aquaphor and Silvadene for the radiation rash. Finally at my November visit with the surgeon, she said “I’ll see you in 6 months”. I broke down and cried; it was the first time I felt like I might wake up from the nightmare of the past 2 years.
As of June 2026, I had a clear mammogram and ultrasound of my left breast and NED (no evidence of disease) on the mastectomy side. I continue to take Letrozole Daily coping as well as I can with the side effects. The Oncologist had the Breast Cancer Index performed. The report showed that there would be no benefit from continuing the Letrozole after 5 years, and that my chance for reoccurrence is 3.5%. I do still struggle with self-image and lifestyle alterations from the mastectomy and Letrozole. Support groups help! But I will be forever grateful for the tremendous support I have and continue to receive from my family, friends, and organizations like To Life! I have made the cancer journey because of the wonderful medical care, family support, and faith in God, and am for now, cancer free!
Posted in: Emotional/Mental Health, Just Diagnosed, Survivorship, Younger Women