Molly Grubbs

Molly Grubbs is celebrating because it’s been exactly one year, since her last chemo treatment! Molly has been a part of Lee Health for five years and is an inspiration to us all! At Lee Health, we have exceptional employees who are also incredibly strong breast cancer survivors, and we want to take this opportunity to celebrate each one of them and their inspiring stories for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Molly visited her primary care doctor in 2016, and she was given a routine breast exam. During the exam, the doctor found a small, but concerning, spot. Molly was then given a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy before doctors finally determined that the spot was benign. After a follow up appointment six months later, she was reassured that she was healthy, and she was told not to worry about coming back until her 40th birthday for a routine mammogram since she had no family history of breast cancer. Molly returned three years later, a few days after she turned 40. A 3D mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy and an MRI showed that the same spot that had once been benign had turned cancerous, and it had spread.

Molly received a diagnosis of stage two Invasive Ductal Carcinoma and Ductal Carcinoma in Situ. Her right breast had three spots of cancer that had spread into the lymph nodes, and she also learned that she was estrogen dominant, and her body had difficulty detoxing through her liver. Molly started her treatments right away and took advantage of the incredible care and expertise of the staff at the Regional Cancer Center.

“The gift in my diagnosis was seeing how much love and kindness my family, friends, and coworkers shared with me during this difficult time,” Molly said. “I felt supported and encouraged every step of my journey.”

In June of 2019, Molly underwent a double mastectomy before starting chemotherapy that would last three months. Her battle was still far from over, and she then began 25 rounds of radiation before entering forced menopause in January of 2020. This July, Molly completed reconstructive breast surgery, a result of her double mastectomy.

“Finishing chemo stands out as the moment I am most proud of,” Molly said. “Chemo and physical therapy were both an emotional process for me. I loved the community of cancer fighters I met during my daily radiation treatments. Believe it or not, I did not mind being bald. I used that time to have fun with wigs and scarves!”

Molly’s battle against breast cancer is complete. She now visits the Regional Cancer Center for an ovarian suppression shot every three months, in addition to taking a pill everyday to block the remaining estrogen in her body. She will potentially undergo an Oophorectomy, which will put her into permanent menopause to reduce her risk for recurrence.

Molly is now thriving and we are so grateful to have her at Lee Health! Thank you for sharing your story and inspiring others!