Beth Marchant
“When I started treatment, I was the youngest person in the room… Now, that’s not really the case.”
Share
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.
Diagnosed with stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer, Holleigh’s journey included a long list of surgeries, treatments and unexpected setbacks. As a BRCA1 carrier, Holleigh now advocates for breast cancer prevention and early detection. She is also a strong believer of holding a sense of normalcy during treatment and embracing life beyond her breast cancer diagnosis.
Despite challenges, Holleigh concluded her treatment on June 12, officially earning the title of a cancer survivor.
“When I started treatment, I was the youngest person in the room… Now, that’s not really the case.”
The most important thing was living every day to the fullest – and the memories.
“Progress means every woman — in every Canadian community — is seen, heard, and cared for”.
“With more research and more awareness, we can ensure fewer women are blindsided the way I was.”
Breast Cancer Canada donations fund life-saving research that directly impacts Canadian patients. That means better answers, bigger breakthroughs – and more personalized treatment for every breast cancer diagnosis.
Our suite of digital tools are each designed to help individuals better manage their breast cancer journey through education, research and personalized insights, while also elevating the patient voice.
Every breast cancer journey is unique, but together, these stories paint a powerful picture of progress. Through firsthand accounts from patients and survivors, we share stories that highlight the lived-experiences of breast cancer.
Progress happens when we invest in it. Canada is home to some of the world’s brightest minds in research. Together, we are advancing science, ensuring it leads to earlier detection, better treatments, and improved outcomes for patients across the country.
Quick Links
Sign Up, Know More.
