Breast Cancer: Monica's Patient Story

What happened, in summary

Monica Wright was 44 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2015. She underwent a lumpectomy in December, with an old friend beside her during that first treatment. When Monica later began weekly chemotherapy infusions in Boston, friends, relatives and coworkers asked how they could help. Her answer was simple: come with her. The visitors became her “chemobuddies,” driving her to treatment, keeping her company during infusions and easing some of the pressure on her husband, who often stayed home with their two sons. Monica documented the visits with photos and the hashtag #chemobuddy, turning difficult treatment days into moments of connection. She also joined a peer-support program that paired her with another patient who had a similar diagnosis and treatment. Chemotherapy was still difficult and often felt endless, but the steady presence of people she trusted helped her feel more like herself. By the final round, friends and colleagues had traveled from across the country to be with her, making the end of chemotherapy a meaningful milestone in her treatment journey.