Gini Temple: Surviving With Metastatic Breast Cancer

Retired school teacher is thankful for her support and care after her daunting diagnosis.

I am a retired high school science teacher. In June 2022, I was diagnosed with de novo metastatic breast cancer, meaning that the cancer has already spread at the time of diagnosis. My care team provided me with letrozole, which is an aromatase inhibitor, and Palbociclib (Ibrance), which is a targeted therapy. I also received a shot of denosumab (Xgeva) to protect my bones at each visit to my hematologist-oncologist. Scans throughout tracked my progress. The last two showed no evidence of active cancer.

I am 73 years old. I attribute my survival to my faith, my meds, and my supporters, who include my family and friends and doctors and MUSC Charleston Hollings Cancer Center.

I continue taking my cancer meds and now see my hematologist-oncologist every three months and get scans every six months. I have been able to return to an active life of travel and entertainment, after experiencing some side effects from my meds, the worst being the pain in joints and stomach and intestines. I eat a healthy diet, and I exercise, which is good for my mind, body, and soul.

I am thankful each day to God and my supporters. I know I have been saved for a purpose. I live to experience new adventures and to be an example to my family and friends and others. I believe that my cancer has made me stronger and happier.

Whether you’re a patient, survivor, caregiver, or a loved one touched by cancer, your story can have an enormous impact. You can provide hope and inspiration to someone recently diagnosed with cancer or a patient undergoing therapy.