My Background

Maria Teresa Madrigal

Breast cancer has a profound impact on the body, affecting not only the physical but also the emotional well-being of patients.

Welcome to my site, dedicated to understanding cancer. 

As a victim & a survivor of stage 2 Triple Negative Breast Cancer, I’ve experienced the challenges and the physical and emotional toll of treatment: 16 rounds of chemotherapy, 31 treatments of radiation, 12 months of immunotherapy, the surgical removal of my lymph nodes in both my left and right arms, and a full mastectomy & reconstruction of my breasts. Lymph nodes play a crucial role in staging and treatment decisions, and their involvement in cancer spread and removal can result in significant anatomical changes before and after surgery. In such a short span, we can impact our body with long-term effects on both function and mental health. 

Through this website, I will explore and investigate the complex effects of staging, cancer spreading through our lymph, options, surgery & recovery in breast cancer treatment, focusing on its anatomical, physiological, and psychological impacts. This includes its effect on immune function and various health changes, both personal and general. By analyzing peer-reviewed journal articles and anatomical texts, I will examine how the disruption of the lymphatic drainage system contributes to changes in the body. Additionally, I will address the long-term psychological effects on cancer patients and survivors. I will also explore the anatomical disruptions caused by these metastases and treatments, along with strategies for managing and mitigating these effects.

In this website, I aim to share what I’ve learned and offer insights into treatment options, current research, and strategies for patients, survivors, families, and ways the medical community can better support those affected by these changes. Ultimately, this website seeks to provide a deeper understanding and a trustworthy perspective on coping with the consequences of cancer treatment without all of the difficult terminology. 

This is not just about cancer. This is about staying healthy, understanding the anatomy behind these changes, and coping with the long-term effects. 

Topics I will cover:

• Lymph Nodes & Cancer

• Understanding Lymph Node Involvement in Staging

• Lymph Node Removal

• Metastasis and Cancer Spread

• Cancers That Affect You Immunologically

• Coping with Treatment

• Survivorship

• The Intersection of Cancer & Life After Treatment

• Finding the Right Doctor

• Resources

• About Me

*This marks the inaugural honors contract in Anatomy at Cabrillo College for 2025, with the mentorship of Matt Halter, M.S. / Department Chair of the Biology Department, Steve Schessler, Lead Honors Faculty at Cabrillo College, a unique opportunity to dive deep into this fascinating subject. 

Matt Halter with a Master's degree in Biology and has taught a has taught a well-structured and highly tailored series of subject-specific biology courses at Cabrillo College. As the Department Chair, he plays a key role in shaping the biology curriculum, ensuring students receive an in-depth education in the field.

Dr. Steve Schessler, with a Ph.D. in English and his leadership in the Honors Program, brings expertise in supporting high-achieving students through specialized coursework and research opportunities, enhancing the academic experience at Cabrillo College.