How did I get here?

stephanieriordan23
Feb 17, 2024
5 min read

Let’s start back in 2021 when I originally found my lump. At the end of March 2021 I had finished breastfeeding but still felt a lump which I thought was a clogged duct. A few weeks later it was still there so I brought it up to Tom. I talked to my coworker who was also in her 30’s and recently went through a breast cancer diagnosis when she was about a year and a half postpartum at her diagnosis. I made an appointment with my Ob/Gyn who believed it was not anything serious but sent me to have a diagnostic mammogram. They couldn’t see anything on my mammogram but could feel my lump as well. Therefore, I had an ultrasound which found a “focal dense hypoechoic tissue” which stated could just be dense breast tissue but recommended a biopsy to rule out malignancy. On May 5th, 2021 I received the call that I had breast cancer, invasive ductal carcinoma, ER and PR (+), stage 1, grade 3, Ki-67 60%. I was 32 years old with 14-month-old triplets at home.

Over the next several weeks I had genetic testing, breast MRI, met a couple of times with a breast surgeon and a plastic surgeon. I had a double mastectomy on June 15, 2021. My Oncotype score was a 25 which was borderline if chemotherapy would benefit me or not. Since I was young with a borderline score my oncologist suggested completing 4 rounds of chemotherapy. On July 30th I had my first round of chemotherapy which consisted of Cyclophosphamide and Taxotere. I did not tolerate the combination of CT well, had to have steroids to keep my vitals stable and by my third round, my oncologist decided it was not good for me due to my BP dropping severely low. On September 24th I started a new regimen consisting of Methotrexate, Fluorouracil and Cyclophosphamide which I tolerated much better. I only had to complete 2 rounds of that regimen with my last round finishing on October 22nd, 2021. I was then placed on an Aromatase Inhibitor, Letrozole, which I took daily and a monthly injection, Zoladex, to suppress my ovarian function, hello menopause.

For my first year after treatment, I followed up with my medical oncologist every 3 months to check my labs, cancer marker, and physical exam. Then I followed up every 4 months once I was a year out from treatment. My numbers always looked great and I felt normal, besides a couple menopause symptoms. It was at my 2-year post treatment appointment in November 2023 that my cancer marker number was slightly elevated out of the norm. I went back three weeks later and they had continued to elevate so I was sent for a PET scan. I also had a brain MRI in December that was clear! My PET scan showed a spot on my left hip bone and a couple weeks later it was biopsied and confirmed it was from my breast cancer. I was then diagnosed with stage 4/metastatic breast cancer at 34 years old.

My new treatment plan

I am continuing to get monthly shots to suppress my ovarian function, Zoladex. I take my AI, letrozole, every night. I finished 15 rounds of radiation to my hip bone January 9th- January 29th. I started taking Kisqali on January 15th which is a pill that is a targeted treatment for metastatic breast cancer which I take daily. I am having my labs drawn every 4 weeks for a test called Signatera. It looks for my tumor’s DNA in my system, helps my doctor know how well my treatment is doing and if a reoccurrence is happening. I will also be getting PET scans every 3 months after my radiation is completed. I receive Zometa infusions now every 3 months, used to be every 6 months, to help my bones stay strong due to the side effects of the medication I am on and going into early menopause places me at risk for osteoporosis.

Overall, I feel good! My hip would get a little sore by the end of the week from radiation and I was a little tired due to the daily appointments and lets be honest raising triplets takes a tad bit of energy out of ya. Now I am just doing the medications, Letrozole and Kisqali daily and monthly Zoladex shots. I will meet with my oncologist every month for labs and follow up care.

We have also changed our diet some by limiting sweets and alcohol. If you know me, I am a huge sweet tooth so it has been a tad hard but not terrible. I am also trying to be more intentional about getting in daily movement/exercise.

Lastly, we recently received the lab results from the Signatera test and my numbers have dramactically decreased from 170 MTM/ml to 5 MTM/ml! This is such a huge blessing. We want it to be 0.

Thank you for joining me and supporting me throughout this journey. Thank you for your continued prayers.

God’s hand in my journey

I was able to breastfeed which led me to finding the lump that I thought was a clogged duct that just wouldn’t go away.
My coworker was diagnosed with breast cancer before me and encouraged me to go to the doctor before I may have if she was not in my life.
My obgyn sent me to get me scheduled for testing right away even though he did not think it was anything too serious
We were blessed with triplets, two boys and a girl, so I don’t have to desire having more children since being pregnant is not ideal with a breast cancer history
Minimal side effects with chemo, hormone therapy, and radiation
My oncologist has done frequent follow-ups since being done with active treatment; one of my closest friends lost a family member too soon due to poor follow-up care post cancer treatment.
My oncologist has me do the cancer marker lab draw which some don’t due to false positives
My stage 4 cancer was caught early, only one bone met!
Amazing support from friends and family
I was selected to be a Manda Strong mom which is a foundation for mom’s with cancer who have kids in their home. They will be sending us on a trip this year to make precious memories with our sweet trio.
My number from the Signatera test dramatically decreased 5 from 170 in just 4 weeks. I still had 3 more rounds of radiation and was only on the kisqali for 10 days when these labs were taken.