“My family and my work mean so much to me; they are what keep me going.”
Her Faith Guides Her Passion To Help Unhoused Folks In Her Community Feel Safe And Supported
ABOUT DONNA, IN HER OWN WORDS:
- Making a home for my husband and three sons is near and dear to me.
- I couldn’t have faced HR+/HER2- mBC without the support of my family and friends.
- Cancer doesn’t stop me from doing the work I love—helping others.
From A Busy Life To A Life-Changing Diagnosis
What makes a home? Is it a house with four walls and a roof? Is it a feeling of safety? As someone who grew up all over the country, staying no longer than two years in any one place, the significance of a home is near and dear to my heart. I have been blessed to find a home in my wonderful husband of 34 years and our three amazing sons. Their love and support have made a difference in my life when faced with unexpected hardships.
When I was diagnosed with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer, I can say my life changed in the blink of an eye. I considered myself a healthy person. I exercised at the gym, ate a lean, green, healthy diet, and rarely got sick. So, when I felt a soreness under my arm one morning and a knot in my left breast, I thought nothing of it. After all, I'd had a perfectly clear 3D mammogram eight months earlier. But, when my husband urged me to see my OB/GYN, the only doctor I was seeing for yearly checkups, I told him I would go...eventually.
I was too busy to have health issues. I had a private practice as a psychotherapist, a passion project working to house homeless folks, and was preparing to take a mission trip with my family. I also had three grown sons starting college, careers, and graduate school at the same time. I had a lot going on, so it ended up being a few weeks before I made time for a second mammogram.
At my appointment, the nurse asked me to stay for an ultrasound. I remember smiling and saying, “Oh yeah, sure thing!” The nurse and I were talking and laughing during my scan when suddenly she stopped smiling and became serious. She left the room and returned with a radiologist. The radiologist asked if I had a preferred surgeon who could perform a biopsy. They found something concerning during the ultrasound and thought it would be best to get it checked out.
I scheduled a biopsy, and the surgeon found two tumors in my left breast, with some possible lymph node involvement. I had breast cancer.
The Moment Everything Went Silent
After hearing the news, I felt like I left this world; I could see the doctor’s lips moving but couldn’t make out what she was saying. My body felt heavy with fear and dread. I didn't think I would be able to stand and walk out of the room...I said nothing because I couldn't speak. I had no words; it was as if I were a chalkboard that had been erased.
The surgeon reassured me that this was likely “only stage II,” and according to them, was curable after a hard year of chemotherapy and radiation. After a few moments of silence, I spoke up to say, “I want surgery to remove both my breasts right away...l want them gone...I want the cancer cut out of my body because I don't have time for this.” I did not want the cancer to make my body its home. The surgeon agreed, and we started making the necessary appointments.
While I was terrified, I also felt comforted. We had identified the problem, and we were planning to treat it. I had to get through one more scan to make sure the cancer had not metastasized in my body.
I Lost Control But Not My Purpose
While waiting for a call from my surgeon about the results of my scan, I phoned my loved ones and comforted them. I assured them this would be no big deal. I was going to bounce back.
The phone rings, and it's my surgeon telling me she thought it was best to hear the news from her personally...My heart dropped. What news? I stood up and sought to be alone. I walked to my bathroom, shut the door, and stared out of the window as she proceeded to tell me that the breast cancer had spread to my lungs. I asked when the surgery would be scheduled to fix that. She was patient and calm, but with a little quiver in her voice said, “Donna, you don't understand, you have stage IV cancer, you are no longer a candidate for surgery.” I quickly replied, “What about chemotherapy and radiation? I am still scheduled for that, right?” The surgeon paused and said, “I am so sorry, but it is too late for that.”
No more chemo, no more radiation, no more mastectomy. I was crushed; I felt like a bird with a broken wing. My husband came into the room, and with tears on my cheeks, I handed him the phone. I said, “Talk to the surgeon. I don't understand what she is saying.”
I stayed in my bedroom after that call. I could hear my husband talking to my sons, but for the first time, I could not go to them. I could not comfort them. I wanted to go; I couldn't move.
My husband held it together for us. He phoned family and friends, informing them of the news. Cards, letters, text messages, emails, and calls of encouragement came pouring in. A group of my friends from Bible study came to our home to pray for me. My family and I felt loved and cared for. The support of my family and close friends made a huge difference emotionally. I don't know how I could face the hardships without their love.
After we discovered that the breast cancer had spread to my lungs, my treatment plan had to change. It felt like I had no control over my life, but I believed God still had a larger plan for me. There was too much left for me to do in the world. Too many people to help.
My HR+/HER2- mBC Journey With IBRANCE
My husband and I met with an oncologist to look at my case, and it was at that appointment that we learned about IBRANCE, an oral medication for adults with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer when taken in combination with an aromatase inhibitor. After we discussed the benefits and risks of IBRANCE, including serious and common side effects, with my doctor, my husband and I wanted to get a second opinion.
I did not believe an oral therapy could help me. I thought I would need chemotherapy and radiation. When we went to the appointment for a second opinion, three doctors were present, and they agreed that taking IBRANCE, along with an aromatase inhibitor, was the best treatment option for me.
I was still a little skeptical after the meeting. However, I was determined to keep going for my boys. I decided to focus on them. I didn't want to fly around the country looking for other doctors to consult. In the time I had—however long that might be—I wanted to be at home with my family and friends, working in my community to house as many homeless people as possible. I wanted to make the most of each day. After thinking about my options and the opinions of doctors, I decided IBRANCE was the right option for me and started treatment when I returned home.
After starting IBRANCE, I experienced side effects, including low white blood cell count, hair loss, hot flashes, and fatigue, so my doctor reduced my dose and continues to monitor my white blood cell counts. Remember, this is my experience, and everyone is different. Others may experience serious or common side effects, such as lung problems or infections.
Please see Important Safety Information here.
After Everything, I Got The News I Needed
As someone who wasn't used to feeling sick, combating my fatigue has been difficult. It's been hard for my mind to match the limitations of my body. Emotionally, it was tough to accept the changes I was going through.
When it was time for another ultrasound of my left breast, I was dreading my appointment. I had been taking IBRANCE combination therapy but wasn't sure what to expect. During the ultrasound the technician kept going over and over my breast. She retrieved another technician to scan me, and they left the room to talk to the radiologist. I sat and prayed. I could barely keep myself on the table. I wanted to run out of the office and say, “Forget it...forget the scan...I don't need a scan.”
When the technician returned, she told me, “You are having a positive response to treatment.” I began to weep uncontrollably. I ran to my husband, who had been waiting for almost an hour in the waiting room. I was still crying, and he nearly had a heart attack when he saw me. He assumed the worst, but once I calmed down, I told him I was alright and was responding to my treatment. In that moment, we were thankful for our faith and all the people who supported us along our journey to get to this point.
See IBRANCE Trial Results here.
Every Day Is A Gift And I Am Grateful
I later understood that I still had metastatic nodules in my lungs. But I could continue taking IBRANCE, and I was happy. In the beginning, I was skeptical this treatment could help, but my doctor and I are pleased with my results so far. Remember this is my experience, and yours could be different. I am grateful for IBRANCE, and everyone who helped bring this treatment option to patients like me.
As long as I have a roof above my head and supportive friends surrounding me, I'm not going to let the cancer inside my body take away my hope, my faith, my love for my family, or my passion for the work I do to help others. Being with my husband and sons throughout this journey has been a blessing. I am thankful to continue my work helping others as long as I can so they too can feel safe and comforted during hard times, like I have. My family and my work mean so much to me; they are what keep me going. I hope to house as many people as I can and spend every moment I have making memories with my beautiful family.
Ambassadors were asked to share their personal stories about IBRANCE and compensated by Pfizer for doing so. All content was accurate at the time of publication and is assessed periodically for accuracy.
Donna
AMBASSADOR
Donna was too busy to have health issues. She had a private practice as a psychotherapist, helped to provide homes for the unhoused in her community, and was preparing to take a mission trip with her family. “After hearing the news, I felt like I left this world; I could see the doctor’s lips moving but couldn’t make out what she was saying.”