My Story

I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) in March, 2022 at 37 years old. At the time of my diagnosis, I was on maternity leave from a busy general dermatology practice and breast feeding our three month old son. I had quickly developed a red rash that looked like mastitis (infection of the breast tissue), a lump, and pain. Inflammatory breast cancer is more rare (it accounts for 1-5% of all breast cancer diagnoses), it is only diagnosed at stage III or IV, it is more aggressive and carries a worse prognosis. I received dose dense chemotherapy AC-T (adriamycin-cyclophosphamide and paclitaxol) for a total of 8 chemotherapy sessions, a non-skin sparing modified radical mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection and lymphovenous shunt, 36 rounds of radiation, and an oophorectomy with salpingectomy and hysterectomy. My tumor is estrogen and progesterone positive and I have the BRCA1 mutation. I will take anastrozole (Arimidex) for 10 years while taking Olaparib (Lynparza) for a year and Abemaciclib (Verzenio) for two years. I have no clinical evidence of disease!

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The diagnosis rocked my world. I was in the prime of my life with a growing family, a career, and immersed in my community. I was very busy, but I was not as well as I wanted to be. The prognosis of IBC is historically poor (40% five year survival), and I decided to be proactive and determined to fight this cancer with every aspect of my health. I set out to overhaul my lifestyle. I wanted to feel better and live the life that I envisioned, right now, because time is precious. The lifestyle adjustments during my treatments were important for getting through difficult days with purpose, feeling better with fewer side effects, and I hoped would make the treatment more effective. I wanted to share the knowledge and tools that I used to give me the best chance at survival, helped me to feel the best I could, and changed my life. I never would wish to have cancer, but the insights gained, joys found, community embraced, and new perspectives discovered have made my life so much better.

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I wish you well.

Sara Marian Lucking, MD, MS

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P.S. First, the information presented in this website is just that, information and research. It is not intended to take the place of individualized care from a healthcare team. Discuss any health and lifestyle changes with your medical provider. I am not your physician.

 

Second, this is a safe, judgment-free, welcoming and shame-free space. There are no "shoulds"and "could haves".  We are here to learn, focus on our health, and provide support moving forward. Now fix yourself a cup of green tea and let's get started.