4-time cancer survivor and employee: Why I chose MD Anderson for my treatment

I’ve had several benign skin growths removed from my back over the years. But I never expected to be diagnosed with four different types of cancer in just two years. Yet, that’s exactly what happened to me.  

In May 2021, I was diagnosed with stage I breast cancer on the left side. Two years later, I was diagnosed with stage I triple-negative breast cancer on the right side, as well as stage I melanoma on my left arm and stage I basal cell carcinoma on my chest.  

I went to MD Anderson for all of my cancer treatments. And, I’ve shown no evidence of disease since January. But I still consider my experience a cautionary tale. That’s why I tell everyone now to wear sunscreen, pay attention to skin changes, and not miss their recommended cancer screenings or annual physicals. 

My first cancer diagnosis: invasive ductal carcinoma 

I received my original cancer diagnosis after my very first screening mammogram. I was 44 at the time, which was older than the recommended age for getting my first mammogram. But I didn’t intend to wait that long. 

I’d scheduled my first mammogram during the year I turned 40. But Houston had a big flood that week, so I had to cancel. Then, I just got busy and kept making excuses not to go. But I didn’t have a lump or any other breast cancer symptoms. And cancer doesn’t run in my family. So, I had no reason to suspect anything was wrong. 

The radiologist saw something called “focal asymmetry” in my left breast during my first mammogram. He wanted to do an ultrasound to get a better look at it. The ultrasound showed a peanut-sized mass, so he ordered a breast biopsy. When my family doctor told me the results — invasive ductal carcinoma — I couldn’t believe it. It was a huge shock. 

Why I chose MD Anderson for my cancer treatment 

After the shock wore off, I knew exactly what to do. By then, I’d been working at MD Anderson as a pharmacology researcher for about eight years. I’m a native Houstonian, too, so I was well aware of our excellent reputation. I also knew from personal experience that our scientists are amazing. So, seeking breast cancer treatment here at MD Anderson was a real no-brainer. 

I was living in The Woodlands at the time, so I made an appointment at our facility there. I met with breast medical oncologist Oluchi Oke, M.D., plastic surgeon Geoffrey Robb, M.D. (now retired), and radiation oncologist Eric Strom, M.D. They were all very positive and confident, and that made me a lot less scared.  

They said my breast cancer was ER+ and HER2-, which describes about 80% of all breast cancers. They knew exactly how to treat it. And, because it was only at stage I, I had a very good prognosis. 

I followed their recommendations and had a lumpectomy in June 2021. Then, I had four rounds of chemotherapy and 25 rounds of radiation therapy. I rang the bell to mark the end of my treatments on Nov. 30, 2021. 

My second and third cancer diagnoses 

Two years later, in May 2023, I learned I had melanoma and basal cell carcinoma.  

I’d gone to my regular dermatologist to check out a recurring mole on my left arm. It had been removed the first time 10 years earlier, and a biopsy showed it was benign. But the mole grew back a couple of years later in the same spot. When I had it removed a second time, it was still benign. The mole was even darker now and growing around the scar. Tests showed this one was melanoma.  

My dermatologist also noticed a skin-colored spot between my breasts that day. To my surprise, that one turned out to be basal cell carcinoma.  

The fourth cancer diagnosis that shook me to the core 

I went to MD Anderson for my skin cancer treatment. Surgical oncologist Jennifer Wargo, M.D., successfully removed both of them on June 1, 2023. And, since we caught them early, I didn’t need any additional treatment.  

But the day before my surgery, I went in for my annual mammogram. This time, my left breast was clear, but my right breast showed some irregularities. It turned out to be triple-negative breast cancer, which shook me to the core.  

I couldn’t believe this was happening again. I’d had no symptoms. But I knew from working in research that triple-negative breast cancer was the worst kind to get. So, even though we caught this one early, too, I was terrified.

My triple-negative breast cancer treatment 

By that point, my husband and I had moved from The Woodlands to Houston. So, I saw a different breast cancer care team at MD Anderson’s Texas Medical Center Campus. I met first with breast medical oncologist Haven Garber, M.D. She put me at ease. She had a plan and was very confident that this cancer was treatable.  

I also met with breast surgical oncologist Susie Sun, M.D., plastic surgeon Mark Schaverien, M.D., and breast radiation oncologist Melissa Mitchell, M.D. Again, I followed their recommendations.  

I tried chemotherapy first to shrink the tumor. The cancer responded well to the first round, so Dr. Garber prescribed 13 more rounds of doxorubicin and paclitaxel. Unfortunately, the paclitaxel made me very sick. I had fevers, really bad headaches, and just felt terrible, so she switched me to another drug called abraxane that had fewer side effects. 

I had a second lumpectomy on Nov. 30, 2023. After that, I had 15 rounds of radiation therapy, which I finished on Jan. 30, 2024. 

My life today, after four different cancer treatments  

I lost all my hair, water tasted like metal, and my mouth felt weird the entire time during my breast cancer treatment. But I’ve shown no evidence of disease for any of the four cancers since earlier this year. And, my husband and I just celebrated our 25^th wedding anniversary.  

I hate to think about what might have happened, had these cancers not been caught so early. That’s why I am extra vigilant now about getting my annual exams exactly when they’re due. I also get Total Body Photography annually with dermatologist Kelly Nelson, M.D. That’s when a dermatologist takes detailed pictures of your entire body to set a baseline, then compares them to future images to see if anything has changed.

Hopefully, none of these cancers will ever return. But if they do, I know exactly where I’m going. MD Anderson was the right choice. My experiences as a patient have only confirmed my confidence in what we do. It makes me super proud to work here. 

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