Woman keeps hope alive after 23 years with breast cancer

After three breast cancer recurrences, Sheri continues finding strength through new treatments, palliative care and checking off goals on her bucket list. 

When Sheri Freedman was 51, she was working full-time with her husband at their family-run accounting firm. Their twin daughters were in college. Life was full, and she felt strong. 

Then came the diagnosis: stage 2 breast cancer that had spread to her lymph nodes. Her doctors estimated she had five years to live. 

“I had to fight it,” Sheri said. 

And she did. For 23 years. 

Living with breast cancer 

Sheri, who lives in New Fairfield, Conn., with her husband of 48 years, had a lumpectomy, plastic surgery, radiation therapy and an aggressive new chemotherapy regimen in 2001. Her treatment was successful, and she lived well for the next 13 years. 

But in 2014, she began having nerve pain in her lower back and leg. A tumor had formed on her spine — breast cancer had returned and spread. This time, her doctors estimated she had a year and a half to live. 

Learn more about breast cancer treatments. 

Coping with metastatic breast cancer in the spine 

To treat the spinal tumor, Sheri underwent 11-hour surgery to remove it and stabilize her spine with hardware. She then had chemotherapy and radiation therapy. She was grateful to have the same oncologist for 15 years guiding her care. 

The return of cancer forced Sheri to retire from the accounting business she built with her husband. 

“It was hard to retire,” Sheri said. “But I knew I had to focus on my health.” 

She began taking oral chemotherapy, which kept the cancer at bay for nearly a decade. 

Related content: Medical oncology for breast cancer 

Facing a third recurrence: Breast cancer spreads to the liver and lungs 

In 2024, Sheri learned the cancer had returned, again — this time in her liver and lungs. It was hard to accept. She had no symptoms. 

“I wasn’t sick. I didn’t feel any differently than I did the last 10 years,” Sheri said.  

Sheri was overwhelmed — not just by the diagnosis, but by everything else happening around her. Her husband had a stroke and hadn’t fully recovered. Her daughter, just 40, had also suffered a stroke. Her cat, Cooki, who “thinks she’s a person,” was hospitalized. And her beloved mother — her “go-to person” — passed away at 96 years old. 

“I miss my mom every hour of every day,” Sheri said. “But all of that loss reminded me: I don’t know how long I have, but I’m going to make the most of it.” 

Resuming breast cancer treatment and adding palliative care 

Sheri resumed care with Dr. Madhura Hanmantgad at the Praxair Cancer Center at Danbury Hospital, where she now receives weekly chemotherapy infusions. 

“Dr. Hanmantgad is great. She listens to me and changes my chemo if I’m having too many side effects, like migraines and neuropathy,” Sheri said. “Everyone is nice — they really treat me well.” 

Related content: Managing side effects from breast cancer treatment 

She also receives psychiatric telehealth support from Dr. Antolin Trinidad. 

“Sheri is one tough woman who has been through a lot but remains resilient,” Dr. Trinidad said. 

And Sheri added palliative care to her team to help manage stress and stay independent. 

“Most people think palliative care means you’re going to die — but that’s not what it is,” Sheri said. “The palliative care providers’ goal is to help you feel better, whether it’s managing physical pain, mental health, social needs or even logistics like how to get groceries.” 

Melanie St. Raymond, a palliative care social worker, has made a big impact on Sheri. 

“Melanie knows everything about me. We meet through telehealth, and she visits when I get chemo,” Sheri said. “She helped me start going to luncheons and movie nights at the senior center, and even a cat event.” 

Finding support and friendship while living with advanced breast cancer 

Sheri met her friend through a community ride service for people who cannot drive due to medical conditions. 

“I told her she shouldn’t want to be friends with me because I don’t know how long I have,” Sheri said. “But here we are. We have coffee and lunch together.” 

Sheri uses strategies to manage medications and appointments. Melanie helps her stay organized, mentally clear and in control. 

“My mind gets cluttered. Melanie helps me focus,” she said. “I want to stay independent, just like my mom was up until her last days.” 

Related content: How clutter affects your brain health 

Sheri and Melanie even talk about tough decisions — like how long Sheri wants to continue treatment. 

“For now, I want to keep having treatments as long as I feel well and it’s working,” Sheri said. “I encourage others living with chronic illness to look into palliative care — it’s made such a difference for me.” 

Related content: Still here: Living well with COPD, one breath and moment at a time 

Making the most of every day, with metastatic breast cancer 

Sheri celebrated her 75th birthday on the first day of spring in 2025. Today, she’s making plans and savoring small moments. 

“I love tennis and want to go to the U.S. Open one more time. I used to go every year,” Sheri said. “I want to see a Broadway show and go to the beach — I’m a water person, I’m from New Jersey.” 

She also plans to take her daughters and 7-year-old granddaughter — who looks just like her and brings her so much joy — on a cruise. 

“As other things come along, I’ll do them,” she said. 

She enjoys the simple pleasures too: sitting on the porch, reading in the sun and talking to her granddaughter on the phone. And of course, time with Cooki. 

Sheri’s story is an important reminder to make the most of the time you have in this precious life. She doesn’t know how much time she has, but she lives every day with strength, joy and connection. 

“Even though I’ve always been tough, I wasn’t sure I could be this time,” Sheri said. “But here I am. There’s still hope.” 

Photo: Sheri Freedman (right), Kathryn Hicks, Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner in Oncology (middle) and Melanie St. Raymond, Palliative Care Social Worker (left) at the Danbury Hospital Praxair Cancer Center 

Disclaimer: Outcomes from cancer and palliative care vary from person to person. No individual results should be seen as typical.