My name is Michelle, I was diagnosed in 2021 with TNBC while working as a preoperative /postoperative RN at UW Hospital. It was within this role that I fell in love with the breast cancer population. Whether it was the patient’s first surgery or reconstruction, I was the nurse who cheered you on! 

I continued to work the first six weeks of chemotherapy treatments and will never forget spending my lunch time in the UW Carbone Cancer Center lab to have my port accessed and labs drawn in effort to receive chemo when my shift was complete. It was surreal to be caring for the same patient population while receiving care shortly after my shift ended. During this time, nothing gave me more hope and pure empathy than caring for fellow breast cancer patients. 

I will never forget the day that I had to hang up my scrub cap for a cap that covered my bald head. I love being a nurse & this moment crushed me. 

 After being off of work for almost 9 months due to treatments (chemo, surgery & radiation) I returned to work & was greeted with open arms. However, I was not prepared for the overwhelming survivorship portion of my story. I remember finishing treatment & crying for days not knowing what to do next. I was so focused on treatment that I didn’t realize after treatment care was equally important.

It was within three months of returning back to my nurses’ hat that a new role had opened in the Breast Center for a Nurse Navigator.,After weeks of doubting myself, I applied and was offered the position in October 2022. 

Wholeheartedly, this position found me in a time that was as arduous as treatment itself. The privilege to help others after hearing the most devastating news of my life is not “just a job,”  it’s now turned into a life of advocating, dedication to breast health & breast cancer awareness for others & I LOVE being able to say that. 🩷 

Here’s to a new cap!