Helping Hands for Holly

I'm sure we are all familiar with the phrase "it takes a village." I, myself, have been fortunate enough to experience this phenomenon in my own life. When going through difficult times and challenges, it was often the caring, love and support provided to me by family, friends and members of the community that gave me the motivation, the fuel, the drive to carry on. Words of wisdom, a shoulder to cry on, an opportunity presented, a helping hand offered... It is in this spirit that I have started the Helping Hands for Holly Campaign!

I was fortunate enough to meet Holly when she came to work at my Wellness Center in Mashpee on Cape Cod, Massachusetts in March of 2022. A single mother of four children, Holly entered the field of Massage Therapy as a means to support herself and her children, while also cultivating a sense of positivity, caring and well-being in her life and the lives of those she interacts with. Since joining our Team, Holly has become a beloved member of our work-family. She is an incredible Licensed Massage Therapist, gaining a dedicated clientele very quickly. When she isn't at the office helping her clients, Holly is an avid runner, an animal lover and dedicated mother.

In September of 2023, Holly found a lump in her breast and made a doctor's appointment to investigate this development. Upon completing a biopsy, the lump was determined to be a Complex Fibroadenoma with atypical cells in November of 2023. Because of it's size and presence of atypical cells, the lump needed to be removed. At the Surgical Consult in December of 2023 to discuss lumpectomy, Holly discovered she is positive for the BrCA 1 gene mutation. The BrCA 1 mutation causes breast cancer in 50% of women who have it, as well as, increasing the risk for ovarian cancer significantly, pancreatic cancer in both men and women, and prostate cancer in men.

The discussion quickly evolved from a “Lumpectomy” to “We want to perform a double mastectomy and remove the ovaries as soon as possible. Also, there could be cancer we didn’t find with the biopsy because of the presence of atypical cells in the fibroadenoma.” Holly left the appointment absolutely crushed and reeling. The following weeks were full of grief, fear, and unknowns. The specter of cancer they have not yet detected in her ovaries and / or breast tissue haunting her. Despite this, she remains hopeful that all will be clear with the pathology report.

Because Holly only wants to endure one surgical procedure, and she hopes to recover with as few complications as possible while maintaining her core and upper body strength, she has chosen an Aesthetic Flat Closure procedure instead of Reconstruction, which is a brutal process involving multiple surgeries, is fraught with complications, and carries significant damage to muscle tissue. Holly's appearance will be different after this surgery and that also comes with a deep sense of loss.

Holly will likely be out of work for approximately 6-9 weeks depending on how her recovery goes and if there are any complications. She, fortunately, has disability insurance that covers 60% of her wages but she is already in a tough spot financially, being single with a mortgage and four teenagers at home. Besides living expenses, she will need supplies for her recovery like a mastectomy pillow and large wedge pillow, as she will not be able to lie flat or on her sides while she has drains in place for 3-4 weeks.

Helping Hands for Holly - Amazon Supplies List

"I am lucky to hopefully be getting ahead of some cancers I am at significant risk for, and while it doesn’t feel lucky at all, I am grateful for the opportunity to give myself my best chance of being healthy for as many years as possible. It is also important to me that my kids see me facing this with courage, humor, and a sense of celebration. I will embrace my new body as joyfully as possible, as often as I can, though I know there are going to be hard days. I already have my first post-mastectomy half marathon scheduled, and I’m doing everything I can to stay motivated and hopeful. My community has been so loving and supportive and that is making all the difference. I don’t know how I’d make it without my wonderful family and friends cheering me on and loving me and my kids so well." ~ Holly