Colleen's Story

In August 2013, Colleen noticed an unusual bump on her right breast and went in for a mammogram. That’s when we first heard the words: “You have breast cancer.”

After a few difficult days, we decided it was time to stop crying—and start fighting.

Colleen began researching and quickly decided that the University of Pennsylvania was the best place for treatment. Ranked first in the region and 10th in the nation, Penn’s team acted quickly, ordering a series of tests.

A few days later, we received the worst possible news:
Colleen’s cancer had metastasized to her liver.

In an instant, her diagnosis escalated from Stage 1 to Stage 4. The doctors told us her cancer would never be cured—but it could be managed.

Colleen began chemotherapy. It left her extremely tired and weak, but the treatment brought hope: the once-aggressive cancer was beginning to shrink.

Soon, she was declared NED—No Evidence of Disease.

She underwent surgery to remove her right breast, along with additional underlying skin to ensure all traces were gone. To kill any remaining microscopic cancer cells, Colleen also received radiation on her breast and surrounding areas.

After more than a year of hell, we finally felt like Colleen might get her life back.

We went in expecting to discuss the final phase of reconstruction. Instead, the doctor delivered the devastating news—the cancer was back.

It had returned faster than we ever imagined. During her earlier surgery, the doctor had noticed some redness above her right breast and sent a biopsy to the lab. It confirmed the recurrence.

Colleen began another round of chemotherapy and entered clinical trials. The treatment worked well for about 5–6 months. But then, the cancer returned—more aggressive than ever. It spread to her skin, and she developed lymphedema.

A new, powerful medication brought promising results—but Colleen’s body couldn’t tolerate it.

The team at Penn tried seven different trials and chemotherapy regimens to get ahead of the disease, but the cancer continued to spread. It eventually reached her “good” left breast, where a tumor grew to the size of a softball.

She underwent 10 days of high-dose radiation to shrink the tumor. After exhausting all options at Penn, we were told there were no more trials available for her there.

Still determined, Colleen found a two-month trial at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas—the number-one cancer center in the world. We were filled with new hope.

Unfortunately, Colleen suffered a severe reaction to the trial drug, requiring a three-day hospital stay. Though she resumed the treatment a month later, she had lost nearly 30 pounds and was severely weakened.

Scans showed the trial wasn’t working. The cancer had spread to her rib cage, and her left arm had doubled in size from tumor growth. Her condition continued to decline.

On August 30, Colleen began having serious breathing issues and was in tremendous pain. The cancer had seemingly taken control. During her first week in the hospital, she developed pneumonia. Her health continued to deteriorate.

On September 19 at 10:30 PM, after four years of courage and relentless fighting, Colleen passed away.