A 39-year-old mother of two is sharing her experience with stage 4 cancer and the early symptoms she initially thought were caused by something far less serious.
Kimberley had already battled breast cancer once. In October 2019, she discovered a lump in her left breast while taking a shower. She was subsequently diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.
She underwent chemotherapy and radiation before having a mastectomy with reconstruction on her left breast.
For a period of time, Kimberley believed she had finally put cancer behind her. But in early 2023, she began experiencing extreme fatigue.
Her exhaustion became so severe that she needed to sleep during the day. She also developed nausea, a reduced appetite, unexplained weight loss, as well as muscle and bone pain.
At first, she didn’t believe the symptoms were connected to cancer.
“I thought I was just getting older, or my mattress was hurting my back,” she said, according to UNILAD.
She Thought Her Mattress Was Causing the Pain
In January 2023, Kimberley even purchased a new mattress, hoping it would help with her discomfort.
But the symptoms continued.
“I was thinking, ‘It must be me, I’m getting older.’ I wasn’t thinking about cancer at all.”
At the time, Kimberley was also going to the gym and considered herself to be living a healthy lifestyle. Because of that, she didn’t expect her cancer to return.
“I just didn’t really think the cancer would come back because I had been living quite healthily.”
Then, several months later, her symptoms became much more serious.
In August 2023, Kimberley went to the emergency room after severe neck pain made it difficult for her to breathe and swallow.
Doctors performed a CT scan, which revealed a 5-centimeter tumor in her neck.
The following month, she was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. Doctors also found that the disease had spread to her chest wall, ovary, rib and adrenal gland.
“It was an absolute shock because I really had put it behind me. I thought that chapter of my life was closed and I didn’t want to think about it again.”
The Cancer Later Spread to Her Brain
Kimberley underwent five rounds of radiation in October 2023 to treat the tumor in her neck. She later completed 12 rounds of chemotherapy.
Then, in July 2024, she received another devastating diagnosis: the cancer had spread to her brain.
Two months later, in September 2024, Kimberley underwent surgery to remove the brain tumor.
She now takes oral chemotherapy medication every day.
Although her breast cancer cannot currently be cured, Kimberley says her condition has remained stable, with no signs of growth for more than a year.
“The cancer is still present but it’s completely stable, there has been no growth for over a year now,” she said. “I hope that I stay on this treatment for as long as possible.”
“I’m Not Just a Statistic”
Despite her diagnosis, Kimberley says she refuses to allow statistics to determine what her future will look like.
She explained that before the cancer spread to her brain, she had been given a prognosis of between 10 and 20 years. After the cancer reached her brain, she was told the statistics were closer to three to five years.
But Kimberley says she doesn’t view those numbers as a prediction of her own life.
“I don’t believe in these statistics, I don’t take any notice of that,” she said. “Just because it’s three years on the statistics, it doesn’t mean that it’s three years for me. I’m not just a statistic, I’m stronger than a statistic.”
Now, she is using her experience to encourage other women to take changes in their bodies seriously.
“We know our bodies better than anyone, including the GP, so don’t let a GP fob you off,” Kimberley said.
She also encouraged women to advocate for themselves when something doesn’t feel right.
“Push past the primary care barrier, do what you need to get seen by proper specialists.”
Breast Cancer Symptoms to Watch For
According to the Mayo Clinic, possible signs of breast cancer can include:
- A lump or thickened area in the breast that feels different from the surrounding tissue
- A nipple that appears flattened or turns inward
- Changes in the color of the breast skin
- A change in the size, shape or appearance of the breast
- Skin changes such as dimpling or a texture resembling an orange peel
- Peeling, scaling, crusting or flaking of the skin on the breast
Kimberley hopes that sharing her story will encourage other women not to dismiss unusual symptoms simply because they seem to have an ordinary explanation.
Her experience is also a reminder that persistent or concerning changes should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.