Finding Empathy and Support After Cancer

Before her cancer diagnosis, Katie Holub was navigating a high-stress career in tech. She had weathered eight rounds of layoffs at her then-employer before moving to another equally demanding role. “I was stuck,” said Katie. “Something in my life had to change.”

That change came unexpectedly: an aggressive form of breast cancer.

“I was on the phone when I heard the words. I just kept thinking, ‘What do you mean it’s cancer?’” Katie recalled. “There was shock, fear and this overwhelming sense of uncertainty. I remember thinking, ‘What if I don’t make it to 35?’”

A Challenging Start

Following Katie’s diagnosis, insurance challenges began almost immediately – first a denial for an MRI, then for anti-nausea medication. “You’re already fighting for your life, and then you have to fight for your care,” she said. “It’s exhausting.”

Fortunately, Katie had a care team at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers, a member of The US Oncology Network, part of the Oncology & Specialty Solutions business of McKesson, that became one of her strongest advocates. Her oncologist spent hours on peer-to-peer calls to get her the treatment she needed. It was that kind of advocacy that made all the difference, she explained.

Treatment and Transformation

Katie’s treatment plan included a lumpectomy, 12 weeks of chemotherapy with immunotherapy, and an additional nine months of immunotherapy. “I was lucky,” she noted. “My cancer was stage one, and my lymph nodes were clear.”

Still, the treatment was grueling. Chemotherapy brought intense nausea and unexpected side effects. There were days when she couldn’t eat, sleep or focus. But she kept showing up.

Working full-time throughout treatment added another layer of complexity. “I needed the insurance,” she explained. “But I also needed to feel like I was still living my life.”

Finding Her People

Katie credits much of her strength to the team at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers. “They led with empathy,” she said. “The office manager would sit with me during treatments. My nurses became friends. They celebrated every milestone with me.”

When she finished treatment, her care team gave her a card she still keeps. “They were there for some of the darkest moments of my life, and they handled it with grace and compassion.”

Life After Cancer Treatment

Survivorship, Katie said, is its own challenge. “There’s always that fear – what if it comes back?” she admitted. “And physically, I’m still rebuilding.”

But cancer also gave her clarity. “I don’t take things for granted anymore. This body went through so much, but I’m proud of it.”

Now at McKesson working as a field sales development representative, Katie is passionate about oncology and the McKesson Cancer Support Network, an employee-led special interest group that assists McKesson employees and their families who are affected by cancer.

“I want to make an impact the way my care team did for me.”

Katie’s Advice to Others:

• Get checked. “Preventative care matters. If I had caught this earlier, I might have had more treatment options.”
• Find your people. “Some people will leave. Let them. Focus on those who show up for you.”
• Laugh. “Humor was my medicine. It helped me cope.”

“You don’t know how strong you are until you have to be,” Katie said. “But the light is always there. It’s not dark forever.”

***Katie’s story reflects her personal experience as a patient with cancer. Experiences and outcomes will vary from patient to patient. There is no guarantee of similar results or experiences for all patients.