From Nurse to Patient: Racheal Thompson’s Courageous Breast Cancer Journey at Touro

For years, breast cancer survivor Racheal Thompson was the one caring for others. As a surgical nurse at West Jefferson Medical Center and part-time Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) instructor at a local high school, her life revolved around helping patients and preparing the next generation of healthcare providers. But in February 2025, Racheal’s world changed when she became the patient herself.

Just five weeks into chemotherapy, she had to step away from her full-time hospital position, holding onto her part-time teaching role instead. “I couldn’t work anymore,” Racheal said. “I was thankful to still be able to teach, but I had to leave my nursing role at the hospital. I just couldn’t do both.”

Discovering the Lump

Racheal first noticed something was wrong one chilly January evening. Sitting on the sofa with her arms tucked under her shirt for warmth, she felt a lump on the left side of her breast. “It felt big—about half the size of a finger,” she recalled. “Right away, I thought, this is probably cancer. It just felt so abnormal.”

With her family history in mind—her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at 44—Racheal had already been proactive about screenings. She began annual mammograms at 37 and even underwent genetic testing in 2023, which came back negative. “I felt like my risk was kind of low,” she said. “But when I found the lump, I messaged my gynecologist, Dr. Kim Tran, right away.”

By the end of January, Racheal underwent a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound at Touro Breast Care Center, where she had been followed as high-risk. The radiologist saw something suspicious and scheduled a biopsy. On February 6, her fears were confirmed: it was breast cancer.

Further testing revealed that Racheal had triple negative breast cancer, a rare and aggressive form that lacks hormone receptors and the HER2 protein. Her cancer was staged at Stage II, Grade 3.

“It was scary,” Racheal admitted. “I had hoped it was early—something that could be treated with surgery alone. But learning it was triple negative changed everything. It felt overwhelming.”

At Touro Cancer Care, Racheal began working with Alfred J. Colfry, III, MD,a breast surgical oncologist, and Shradha Ahuja, MD, a hematologist-oncologist, who reassured her with new treatment options. “Dr. Ahuja explained how a newer immunotherapy called Keytruda, when combined with chemotherapy, was showing promising results in reducing recurrence,” Racheal said. “She made me feel better about it.”

Facing Treatment with Courage and Hope

Racheal’s treatment plan included six months of neoadjuvant therapy (chemotherapy plus immunotherapy), followed by surgery, and then six more months of immunotherapy.

Her chemotherapy regimen began with weekly treatments for 12 weeks. To prevent long-term side effects like neuropathy, she endured ice packs on her hands and feet during infusions. “It was tough,” she said, “but I got through it.”

Next came a stronger chemotherapy, nicknamed the “Red Devil.” The side effects hit harder—shortness of breath, fatigue, and even ER visits—but Racheal persevered with the support of her family. Her mother, who had faced breast cancer nearly 20 years earlier, sat beside her during that first difficult round, offering the reassurance of someone who had been there before.

Her 14-year-old daughter became her motivation throughout treatment—present at her very first infusion and again at the last, when Racheal rang the bell to mark the end of chemotherapy.

“It was emotional,” she said. “I rang it not just for me, but for those who never get the chance. And I wanted to show my daughter that I could get through this—so if she ever has to face something hard in life, she’ll know she’s strong enough, too.”

Adjusting to Life as a Patient

For Racheal, one of the hardest parts of her journey wasn’t just the physical effects of chemo—it was the emotional shift from caregiver to patient. “I had just turned 40, I’m social and active, and I’ve always been the nurse taking care of others,” she said. “Suddenly, I needed people to take care of me. That was not easy.”

At times, she pushed herself too much, forgetting her body needed rest. “I had to keep reminding myself that I needed to let my body recover from chemo,” she said. “It was a very hard adjustment.” Racheal was especially grateful for her part-time teaching job, which gave her a summer break during treatment. “There’s no way I could have worked full-time and done chemo. I don’t know how people do it.”

Despite the challenges, chemotherapy proved effective. Racheal’s post-treatment MRI showed a favorable response—the tumor had shrunk significantly compared to her pre-chemo scans. While a small area remained visible, doctors believed it might be scar tissue rather than active cancer. “They told me it looks a lot better,” Racheal explained. “We wouldn’t know for sure until surgery, when the tissue was tested, whether I had a complete response.”

With chemotherapy complete, Racheal underwent surgery on September 29, 2025—a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, a decision influenced by her family history of breast cancer. The procedure was performed by Dr. Colfry and plastic surgeon John Guste, MD. Pathology from the surgery confirmed she had achieved a complete response: no evidence of cancer remaining.

Next, she will continue with six months of immunotherapy at Touro followed by ongoing monitoring and routine blood tests.

Family, Faith, and Community Support

Even in the toughest moments, Racheal drew strength from her family, along with a wide network of friends and former colleagues who followed her journey on social media. Sharing openly became both a source of encouragement and a way to educate others. “I posted pretty much my whole journey,” she said. “Hundreds of people would comment, cheer me on, and check in. Sharing kept me stronger.”

Her openness also had a ripple effect. At least five people privately told her they scheduled a mammogram or sought medical care after noticing a lump—because of her story. “I always tell people, you have to be your own advocate,” Racheal said. “If something doesn’t seem right and a doctor won’t order a test, find someone who will.”

Beyond her family and friends, Racheal says the Touro care team has been a vital part of her support system. “They’ve been great,” she said. “My oncologist made me feel comfortable from day one—she even put her personal cell phone number in my phone and told me to call or text anytime. And Dr. Colfry, my breast specialist, I’ve been seeing him for years. At the end of every visit, he always takes the time to offer encouragement and support. It’s that kind of compassion that makes such a difference when you’re going through something like this.”

Teaching the Next Generation

Today, Racheal is back in the classroom, teaching high school students who aspire to become CNAs. “I love it,” she said. “I get to teach them skills they can use right away to assist nurses, and some of my seniors graduate with their CNA license so they can work while in college.”

For now, she plans to remain in education until her daughter graduates high school. “After that, I may return to the hospital,” she reflected. “I loved being a surgical nurse at West Jefferson. But right now, teaching gives me purpose and lets me be closer to my daughter.”

For more information about oncology care at Touro, visit Cancer Care | Touro