Gunn is no stranger to Robin Hyde’s family. The youngest of ten children, Robin lost his brother to lymphoma in 1992 and his father to prostate cancer in 1998. Two of the sisters were diagnosed with breast cancer ten years ago.
So when Robin was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer at age 46, she knew it was her turn.
Robin had no symptoms. Instead, an ultrasound during her annual breast exam found a tumor in her breast. A radiologist then called Robin with her diagnosis.
“I learned that triple-negative breast cancer is aggressive and the most difficult type of breast cancer to treat,” says Robin, who lives in Austin.
She was scheduled to begin a year’s worth of treatment, which included six months of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and surgery, followed by additional chemotherapy by a local oncologist.
It was hard for Robin, who was in high school at the time, to see her brother undergoing chemotherapy.
“I felt like I could get through everything except chemo,” she says. “That part was really scary.”
MD Anderson’s Article Brings Hope
Robin did a quick search online about breast cancer and quickly learned the importance of getting a second opinion. She found an article on MD Anderson’s website about a breast cancer patient who received a second opinion from MD Anderson, and her treatment changed.
“That article prompted me to seek a second opinion from MD Anderson,” she says.
Robin was particularly inspired by the following quote from the article. “Before planning any treatment, please consult MD Anderson. I was on the verge of receiving treatment I didn’t need. MD Anderson has steered me in the right direction.”
“I knew the odds of that happening to me were very slim,” says Robin. “But I called MD Anderson the next day to confirm.”
Robin was due to start chemotherapy the week after Thanksgiving 2022. Instead, she made an appointment at the next hospital. MD Anderson for next week. She had her first appointment with a breast surgeon, Dr. Clinton Yam, and then she met a breast surgeon, Dr. Susie Sun.
Pathologists review breast cancer diagnosis
Robin’s care team said previously recommended treatments may have been too aggressive and immunotherapy may not be needed.
“I cried in front of Dr. Yam’s nurse, Chasity,” Robin says. “I really appreciate the news.”
Later, Sun called Robin, and when MD Anderson breast pathologist Keith Sweeney, M.D., looked at Robin’s biopsy slides, Sun said the biomarker slides identified a discordant metastatic tumor that included lymph node tissue. He said he noticed what he was showing.
“This raised red flags because I hadn’t had a lymph node biopsy,” Robin says.
During pathology, Sweeney noticed that the breast tumor was of low grade and most likely of the hormone receptor-positive type. He spoke with a pathologist in Austin and confirmed that the Austin pathology lab had mixed up Robin’s biopsy slide with another patient’s.
Sweeney’s pathology results confirmed that Robin had a much less aggressive type of breast cancer: Stage Ia ER/PR-positive, or hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. This is the most treatable form of her three molecular receptor subtypes of breast cancer.
Robin was surprised when Yam shared this news.
New Diagnosis Changes Breast Cancer Treatment Strategies
In January of this year, Sun underwent a lumpectomy to remove Robin’s tumor. At the same time, plastic surgeon Dr. Paul Shay completed breast reconstruction surgery. He completed a complex repair that closed the affected breast tissue in layers.
Ms. Robin recalls looking at her breasts after surgery and telling the doctor that it looked like nothing had been done.
“Dr. Shay’s physician assistant Ashley said, ‘This is the best compliment we’ve ever received,'” Robin says.
The next step was a test to see if I needed chemotherapy.
Robin’s doctors determined that she did not need chemotherapy or immunotherapy. She completed three weeks of radiation therapy in March.
Other than a mild sunburn from radiation therapy, Robin had no side effects from the treatment. While she and her husband were staying in Houston, they spent some time exploring the city.
Thanks to MD Anderson for a second opinion
A lot can change in a few weeks. Robin was diagnosed with a severe condition that required at least a year of treatment, but a more easily treatable diagnosis requiring only minimal surgery and radiation.
“I’m like a PSA walking for a second opinion right now,” Robin says. “My biggest piece of advice for anyone going through a similar experience is to always get a second opinion.”
Robin has follow-up appointments with Yam in June and with radiation oncologist Michael Stauder, M.D., in September. She is considering taking tamoxifen to reduce the chance of recurrence, but hasn’t decided yet.
As someone whose family has faced cancer many times, Robin understands that many people go through tougher diagnoses and treatments. She said that her experience taught her a lot and strengthened her faith.
Her husband Jason learned that his father had been diagnosed with stage IV kidney cancer a week before Robin was diagnosed. he died in December.
Robin says her husband has been very supportive throughout her experience, even though she’s been through a lot.
Robin thanks the entire care team, especially Sun, nurse Shiny, and nurse Pat.
“The level of skill, care and competence across my care team is MD Anderson It was great,” she says. “I am filled with pure gratitude.”
Request an appointment online with MD Anderson Or call 1-877-632-6789.