In 2016, everything changed for Lisa. She had never heard of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) before her diagnosis. Her first sign that something was wrong was a persistent cough that wouldn’t go away. Despite being prescribed an inhaler for what was thought to be allergy-induced asthma, a chest X-ray revealed fluid in her lungs and around her heart. As she waited for a pulmonologist appointment, Lisa’s routine mammogram came back normal. Even when she saw the specialist, all tests showed nothing concerning.
A few weeks later, Lisa stayed with family and slept on the couch. When she woke up, her neck was sore, which she attributed to the uncomfortable sleeping arrangement. “My sister was rubbing my neck, and she said, ‘Lisa, there is a really hard lymph node here,’ so I called the lung doctor, got back in right away this time, he felt it and said, ‘We need to call a surgeon,’” Lisa recalled. Before even knowing exactly what it was, Lisa underwent surgery to have the lymph node removed.
“On October 20, 2016, I had a missed call from the surgeon. Before I could call him back, I got a call from the pulmonologist who asked if I had talked to the surgeon yet. I told him I was just about to call the surgeon back, and that’s when he told me I had MBC.”
Lisa’s family history didn’t include breast cancer. “I always worried about diabetes or heart problems as I got older, but never this,” she shared.
After meeting with the surgeon and a nurse navigator, Lisa and her husband learned more about her diagnosis. “My husband was crying, the nurse navigator was crying, and I was just in shock,” Lisa said.
Following her diagnosis, Lisa underwent many tests, including a PET scan and three different types of diagnostic MRIs. “That’s when I learned it was in both of my lungs, multiple lymph nodes, my stomach, and a spot in my spine,” she said.
Lisa’s doctor decided to start with two chemotherapy treatments. Living in the suburbs of Chicago, she decided to get a second opinion in the city, which confirmed the original diagnosis. Her care team wanted to be aggressive at the onset of treatment. After a year of treatment, Lisa received a call from her doctor that changed everything for the better.
“My doctor said there’s a new drug that just got approved by the FDA, and I think it has your name written all over it!” Because Lisa’s cancer is hormone-positive and HER2-negative, it feeds off estrogen. She underwent surgery to remove her reproductive organs, which put her into menopause at age 48. After that, she started Kisqali, a CDK4/6 inhibitor. This treatment changed everything for Lisa, and since 2017, she has been NED (no evidence of disease).
Lisa was determined to make the most of special moments while undergoing active treatment. “We have four adult children—three girls and our youngest is our son. Our two oldest girls moved back in with us three weeks before I was diagnosed, so we had the entire family home when I was going through treatment. They would take turns taking me to treatment, and it just worked out to have that support system during that time.”
Lisa shared that while the toll her diagnosis took on her mental health was tough, she relied on her family and faith for strength. “My husband was my top supporter,” she said. “He was there all the time for everything.” Thanks to their church, Lisa and her husband could go on a pilgrimage to France while she was in treatment.
She also spent time at a local cancer center that offered programs for people navigating breast cancer. “I got free massages, they had a great lady that led all sorts of art stuff—that’s where I learned how to junk journal, just so many amazing programs. Being able to talk to others who were going through the same thing was huge,” she said.
“It’s been a miracle that it’s going to be eight years. There’s no cure right now, but I want to get involved in any way I can to help find cures for my daughters.”
“You’ve got to advocate not just for yourself but for others,” Lisa said. That is what ultimately made her join Komen’s ShareForCures research registry. Knowing that the more people who join, the more accelerated research efforts can be, she is an advocate for others to join as well. “It’s been a miracle that it’s going to be eight years. There’s no cure right now, but I want to get involved in any way I can to help find cures for my daughters.” Lisa learned about ShareForCures through her involvement with Komen, including participating in multiple 3-Day events. “I just wish more people would do it, you know? I just filled out the waiver—it’s so easy. It took 10-15 minutes. What do you have to lose?”
Lisa’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-advocacy at every stage of a diagnosis. During treatment, finding what brings comfort—expressing creativity, leaning on loved ones, or embracing faith—can play a crucial role in navigating the challenges that come with it. Despite her experiences, Lisa chooses to be a source of hope for herself and others. By sharing her story and joining efforts through ShareForCures to drive research forward, she’s determined to join the movement that could one day bring cures within reach. Her unwavering resolve is a testament to the strength it takes to not only live with MBC but to turn that experience into a mission for change.
Statements and opinions expressed are that of the individual and do not express the views or opinions of Susan G. Komen. This information is being provided for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice. Persons with breast cancer should consult their healthcare provider with specific questions or concerns about their treatment.
