I Went From Stage 2 to Stage 4 Breast CANCER Within Months! -Marissa's Patient Story
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2026 4:44 am
Marissa is a stay-at-home mom who enjoys spending time with her children and supporting them in their daily activities. She and her husband each had a child before meeting, and together they had two more. They had been together for nine years and had planned to get married when the timing felt right. After her diagnosis, she realized there is no perfect time, which changed how she viewed life and priorities.
She was diagnosed with stage two invasive lobular carcinoma breast cancer on February 17, 2024. Before her diagnosis, she experienced fatigue, night hot flashes, and restless legs severe enough to cause muscle cramps. At the time, she assumed these symptoms were due to caring for two young children and lack of sleep. The turning point came when she felt a lump in her right breast and asked her husband to check it. He agreed something felt unusual and encouraged her to see a doctor.
Her primary care physician performed a physical exam, followed by multiple mammograms and ultrasounds in one visit. The imaging was inconclusive, so a biopsy was recommended. A few days later, the biopsy confirmed stage two invasive lobular carcinoma, along with cancer present in nearby lymph nodes. That same evening, her doctor called with the results and reassured her that it appeared to be an early stage. She was referred to an oncologist and surgeon, where she underwent a detailed consultation outlining her treatment plan.
The initial recommendation included a double mastectomy if she carried a genetic mutation, along with hormone therapy and radiation. Chemotherapy was considered less effective for her cancer type. At 31 years old, with very young children and having recently relocated from Michigan to Arizona, the diagnosis felt overwhelming. She decided to research further and seek a second opinion.
She chose an integrative clinic that combined standard medical treatments with alternative and supportive therapies. Due to fear of side effects from hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation, she initially declined the recommended treatments. During this time, she was found to have a rare situation where her BRCA2 gene mutated multiple times, making a targeted medication ineffective. While on a PARP inhibitor, her cancer progressed and spread to her bones, advancing her condition to stage four.
Reflecting on this decision, she believes that delaying hormone therapy contributed to the progression. Once she began hormone blockers, her breast tumors disappeared within a month, leaving only bone and lymph node involvement. She also started a low-dose oral chemotherapy aimed at controlling cancer in her bones while minimizing damage to healthy cells. Since starting treatment, she reports feeling generally well, though managing side effects remains challenging.
Her most common side effects include fatigue, bone pain, and symptoms related to early menopause caused by hormone blockers, such as hot flashes and changes in body odor. She manages these by staying hydrated, taking supplements, and undergoing supportive therapies at her clinic. She attends treatment sessions frequently and maintains a routine of daily exercise to keep her body strong.
Daily life as a mother while undergoing treatment is difficult. Pain, fatigue, and migraines caused by lesions in her skull can make it hard to keep up with her children. However, she adapts each day based on how she feels. Support from her family has been essential. Her mother and stepfather moved from Michigan to help care for her children, manage household tasks, and provide emotional support. This support allowed her husband to continue working after a period of financial strain, during which they lost two vehicles and struggled with medical expenses.
Her diagnosis changed her perspective on life and relationships. It strengthened her bond with her husband and made her more appreciative of time with her family. She now focuses on creating meaningful memories with her children and values each moment more deeply.
Emotionally, the journey has been extremely challenging. The uncertainty of cancer, fear of progression, and concerns about not being present for her children have been difficult to process. At one point, she prepared for the possibility of not surviving by writing letters to her children, creating keepsakes, and recording her voice for them. These actions reflected her deep love and desire to remain part of their lives no matter what.
She emphasizes that cancer is complex and varies greatly from person to person. Treatments can be physically and emotionally demanding, and outcomes are not always predictable. She highlights the importance of seeking multiple medical opinions and choosing a care team that provides both expertise and emotional support.
For her, comfort, trust, and confidence in her medical team are essential. She believes that feeling supported and at peace with treatment decisions plays a significant role in coping and overall well-being during the cancer journey.
She was diagnosed with stage two invasive lobular carcinoma breast cancer on February 17, 2024. Before her diagnosis, she experienced fatigue, night hot flashes, and restless legs severe enough to cause muscle cramps. At the time, she assumed these symptoms were due to caring for two young children and lack of sleep. The turning point came when she felt a lump in her right breast and asked her husband to check it. He agreed something felt unusual and encouraged her to see a doctor.
Her primary care physician performed a physical exam, followed by multiple mammograms and ultrasounds in one visit. The imaging was inconclusive, so a biopsy was recommended. A few days later, the biopsy confirmed stage two invasive lobular carcinoma, along with cancer present in nearby lymph nodes. That same evening, her doctor called with the results and reassured her that it appeared to be an early stage. She was referred to an oncologist and surgeon, where she underwent a detailed consultation outlining her treatment plan.
The initial recommendation included a double mastectomy if she carried a genetic mutation, along with hormone therapy and radiation. Chemotherapy was considered less effective for her cancer type. At 31 years old, with very young children and having recently relocated from Michigan to Arizona, the diagnosis felt overwhelming. She decided to research further and seek a second opinion.
She chose an integrative clinic that combined standard medical treatments with alternative and supportive therapies. Due to fear of side effects from hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation, she initially declined the recommended treatments. During this time, she was found to have a rare situation where her BRCA2 gene mutated multiple times, making a targeted medication ineffective. While on a PARP inhibitor, her cancer progressed and spread to her bones, advancing her condition to stage four.
Reflecting on this decision, she believes that delaying hormone therapy contributed to the progression. Once she began hormone blockers, her breast tumors disappeared within a month, leaving only bone and lymph node involvement. She also started a low-dose oral chemotherapy aimed at controlling cancer in her bones while minimizing damage to healthy cells. Since starting treatment, she reports feeling generally well, though managing side effects remains challenging.
Her most common side effects include fatigue, bone pain, and symptoms related to early menopause caused by hormone blockers, such as hot flashes and changes in body odor. She manages these by staying hydrated, taking supplements, and undergoing supportive therapies at her clinic. She attends treatment sessions frequently and maintains a routine of daily exercise to keep her body strong.
Daily life as a mother while undergoing treatment is difficult. Pain, fatigue, and migraines caused by lesions in her skull can make it hard to keep up with her children. However, she adapts each day based on how she feels. Support from her family has been essential. Her mother and stepfather moved from Michigan to help care for her children, manage household tasks, and provide emotional support. This support allowed her husband to continue working after a period of financial strain, during which they lost two vehicles and struggled with medical expenses.
Her diagnosis changed her perspective on life and relationships. It strengthened her bond with her husband and made her more appreciative of time with her family. She now focuses on creating meaningful memories with her children and values each moment more deeply.
Emotionally, the journey has been extremely challenging. The uncertainty of cancer, fear of progression, and concerns about not being present for her children have been difficult to process. At one point, she prepared for the possibility of not surviving by writing letters to her children, creating keepsakes, and recording her voice for them. These actions reflected her deep love and desire to remain part of their lives no matter what.
She emphasizes that cancer is complex and varies greatly from person to person. Treatments can be physically and emotionally demanding, and outcomes are not always predictable. She highlights the importance of seeking multiple medical opinions and choosing a care team that provides both expertise and emotional support.
For her, comfort, trust, and confidence in her medical team are essential. She believes that feeling supported and at peace with treatment decisions plays a significant role in coping and overall well-being during the cancer journey.