Transitioning from a full-time 911 police dispatcher and mother of two boys to a full-time patient, Holleigh began treatment just three days later, enduring six months of chemotherapy and four rounds of immunotherapy.
March 20th marked a pivotal moment as she underwent a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, utilizing expanders. A week later, the news of clear cancer margins brought relief. However, her recovery took an unexpected turn. Admitted on April 1 for an infection at drainage sites, and later, on April 18th, for 11 days due to an infection in her left breast, Holleigh faced the emotional challenge of having the expander removed, leaving her flat.
Despite the unexpected setbacks, May 18th saw her embark on 16 rounds of radiation, concluding treatments on June 12, officially earning the title of a cancer survivor. Being a carrier of the BRCA1 gene, Holleigh planned surgery in September to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes, aiming to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.
Reflecting on her journey, Holleigh acknowledged the tough days, the ups and downs, but today she stands alive, well, and a testament to surviving cancer. Encouraging others facing a similar path, she advocates for living as normally as possible during treatment, seeking support, and holding onto the promise of brighter days ahead. The road ahead involves more surgeries, a personal choice, to reconstruct her breasts and continue embracing life beyond the challenges of breast cancer.
The research funded by Breast Cancer Canada focuses on improving techniques for breast cancer screening and detection. With your support, we can know more about breast cancer. And that helps us detect it earlier and treat it better for patients like Holleigh.
