Becky Brignac: Twice a breast cancer survivor, forever a nurse — Surrounded by her colleagues at West Jefferson Medical Center

Rebecca “Becky” Brignac has spent 20 years caring for mothers and babies at West Jefferson Medical Center. She began her career in the postpartum unit, where for three years she supported new mothers in their recovery after childbirth before transitioning into her current role of caring for newborns.

Today, she’s present for some of life’s most precious moments — the first cries, the first snuggles — and sometimes she steps into the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to help with “step-down” babies who need a little extra attention before going home. Nursing isn’t just her job — it’s her calling.

“I love what I do,” Becky said. “It’s such a privilege to be part of those first days in a family’s life.”

But Becky has also faced her own battles away from the hospital floor — surviving breast cancer not once, but twice.

A pain that changed everything

Her first signs came in December 2020, when Becky noticed a twinge of pain while decorating her home for Christmas. At first, she thought it was nothing, but the discomfort persisted.

She scheduled an appointment with her OB-GYN,Maria Cortez, MD. After the visit, Becky had a mammogram that suggested a cyst, followed by an ultrasound. But the pain didn’t ease. “By then, my right breast was tender,” she recalled. Dr. Cortez insisted, “Let’s do a biopsy.” That was the moment everything changed. The biopsy confirmed what Becky had feared — breast cancer.

In March 2021, at work on the postpartum unit at West Jefferson, Becky got the call from Dr. Cortez.

“I just knew,” said Becky. “My heart fell. I walked into an empty patient room, closed the door, and cried. I called my husband, and he said, ‘It’s going to be okay.’”

The biopsy revealed invasive lobular carcinoma, grade two — cancer in the milk ducts. “Dr. Cortez literally saved my life because she pushed for that biopsy,” Becky said. “I had no family history, no symptoms except pain. But right away, I decided I wasn’t going to live in fear. I was going to fight.”

Mapping out a plan for treatment

After her diagnosis, Becky was referred to an oncologist at West Jefferson, where she learned that although she wouldn’t need chemotherapy or radiation initially, she would require a right breast mastectomy. Her tumor measured 2.5 centimeters, and because it was both estrogen- and progesterone-receptor positive, hormone-blocking medication became part of her treatment plan after surgery.

On May 3, 2021, Becky’s breast surgeon performed the mastectomy and also removed several lymph nodes. “Recovery wasn’t easy,” Becky admits. “I couldn’t dress myself or move my arm properly. But my co-workers brought me food and prayed for me. They kept saying, ‘It’s going to be okay. We’ve got you.’”

Becky spent the night in the hospital, lucky to recover on her postpartum unit surrounded by familiar faces. “It was comforting to be with my coworkers who took such good care of me,” she said.

She took eight weeks off work to heal, but never felt alone. “I had a rally of supporters: my colleagues surrounded me with love and encouragement, and my husband, daughter and two stepdaughters were my rock. They kept me grounded and gave me strength every day. I had the best people in my corner.”

A recurrence no one expected

For a year, Becky kept up with her follow-ups, including mammograms on her left breast and regular physical exams with her doctor. “They told me I had only a 6% chance of recurrence,” she said. “I thought I was in the clear.”

But in December 2022, just as she was preparing for her breast reconstruction consultation, she felt a lump under her right arm while shaving. “It was like the size of a boiled egg,” she said. “My heart sank.”

Concerned, Becky immediately called Dr. Cortez. She established care with Becky’s new oncologist Elizabeth Ellent, MD, who assessed the palpable mass and due to concerning features ordered a PET, discussed the case with a breast surgeon, and expedited an appointment for Becky to be seen.

“I just lost it,” said Becky. “I threw my phone down, ran around my living room… I was in shock.”

Her case was presented at the multidisciplinary tumor board and because of the nature of her cancer, Becky only had a single mastectomy because, as her previous oncologist explained, her type of cancer was unlikely to spread to the other breast. “She told me, ‘We don’t want to desecrate women like in the old days when they took both breasts out just in case,’” Becky said.

Becky underwent surgery to remove 13 lymph nodes, followed by a treatment plan that included chemotherapy, radiation, and continued hormone blockade to target what fueled her cancer. By this point, Becky’s cancer was stage three.

Pathology showed estrogen was still feeding the tumor which had acquired endocrine resistance. So, Becky had to start on a whole new medication. Facing chemotherapy terrified her.

“I was scared to death, absolutely horrified,” she said. But the team at West Jefferson made all the difference. “I can’t rave enough about everyone there — the doctors, the nurses, and the radiation team. They gave me all the education and support I needed.”

Chemo, radiation, and the will to keep going

Becky had her port placed on February 15, 2023, and started chemo two weeks later: four rounds of Adriamycin “Red Devil” with cyclophosphamide every three weeks, followed by 12 rounds of Taxol, and then 25 rounds of radiation.

“Chemo was like a full-time job — labs on Friday, chemo on Monday, then a shot the next day to boost white blood cells,” recalled Becky. “You have to keep a sense of humor to get through it.”

The first two treatments were manageable, but the third hit hard. “Day three and four after chemo were the worst. I’d feel sick for a few days, then try to live like a normal person again. I’d go eat with my sisters, sit outside, listen to music.”

Becky lost her long hair by the third week. “My husband shaved the rest. That was hard. But hair grows back. Life is more important,” she said.

Becky rang the bell to celebrate the end of chemotherapy in July 2023, and just a month later, she rang it again after completing radiation.

Life Today: Grateful and Moving Forward

Today, Becky shows no evidence of disease. She’s on a different hormone blocker called exemestane with ribociclib, which was tailored to her to maximize her treatment response and decrease side effects. Becky receives preventive infusions every six months for her bone health. She still has her port and plans to delay breast reconstruction surgery until she has completed preventive treatment.

Outside of working at West Jefferson, Becky is a devoted wife and mom, stepmom to two wonderful daughters, an animal lover with a soft spot for her cats. She enjoys traveling, soaking up the sunshine, and even works a fun side job piercing ears — a gig she says keeps her smiling and connected to people.

When asked what kept her strong, Becky’s answer is immediate. “Number one, my faith in God. Number two, my family. When you have no one else, it’s just you and your cancer. People can be with you, but you’re the one going through it. I knew I wasn’t alone. I told myself, ‘We’ve got this.’”

She leaned on her sisters for pep talks and company, her husband for steady reassurance, and her West Jefferson family for daily encouragement. She also found strength in music. “I’m a big Prince and George Michael fan. I played music that made me happy. It lifted my spirit when nothing else could.”

Becky also connected with other survivors, both in person and online. “You become part of a club you never wanted to be in, but the women in it are incredible. The support is beautiful.”

A Message of Hope

Now at 57, Becky says she’s grateful for every day and every person who stood beside her. She encourages others to advocate for themselves and never ignore persistent symptoms.

“My advice? Have the fight in you. Listen to your body. Push for answers. And hold on to faith — whatever that means for you. This journey is hard, but you are stronger than you think.”

For more information about the Oncology and Infusion Services at the Cancer Center at West Jefferson, visit Cancer Center | West Jefferson Medical Center