Patient Stories
When lifelong Duck fan Chelsy McNeil was honored during the Oregon Ducks' Halloween football game against Northwestern this year, she stood before thousands of fans as a symbol of strength and resilience. But behind that moment was a journey she never expected to face.
Born and raised in Eugene, Chelsy comes from a family deeply rooted in Duck tradition. Her grandfather and father held season tickets for more than 60 years, and today she and her husband continue that legacy as season ticket holders themselves.
"I grew up going to Autzen Stadium," she said. "I remember climbing around on the bleachers back when games weren't even close to selling out."
For Chelsy, being recognized as a Fight Like a Duck honoree was especially meaningful because this community has been part of her life since the beginning.
A Diagnosis Despite Doing Everything Right
In June 2023, at age 43, Chelsy was diagnosed with breast cancer. The news came less than a year after her husband, Shane, was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer.
Her diagnosis was particularly difficult because she had already taken proactive steps to reduce her risk.
Chelsy's mother has battled breast cancer twice, and her aunt lost her life to the disease. Both carried the PALB2 gene mutation, which significantly increases the risk of developing breast cancer. Through hereditary screening, Chelsy learned she carried the same mutation.
Knowing her family history, she made the difficult decision to undergo a preventive bilateral mastectomy. Like many patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, her surgery was delayed when elective procedures were postponed.
When her surgery was finally scheduled for July 2023, routine pre-operative imaging revealed something unexpected.
She already had breast cancer.
"I was frustrated," Chelsy said. "I knew I was high-risk and was intentionally on a path to prevent this from happening."
She was also thinking about her family. With both she and Shane facing cancer diagnoses before the age of 45, she worried about the impact on their two daughters.
"It just felt so unfair."
An Unexpected Road to Recovery
Fortunately, Chelsy was already scheduled for surgery and had prepared herself for the decision to undergo a bilateral mastectomy. That allowed her medical team to move quickly.
In July 2023, she underwent a double mastectomy with reconstruction. But the recovery process brought unexpected challenges.
During surgery, complications prevented her reconstruction from proceeding as planned. Only one tissue expander could be placed, and in the weeks that followed, she experienced tissue necrosis that required another surgery.
Ultimately, Chelsy made the difficult decision not to pursue reconstruction and instead chose a flat closure.
Later that year, she underwent a full hysterectomy due to the increased cancer risks associated with the PALB2 mutation and her treatment plan.
Physically, the surgeries were demanding. Emotionally, they brought challenges she hadn't anticipated.
"It took me a while to adjust to my new body, to feel like me again," she said. "I wasn't prepared for the impact that would have."
The People Who Helped Her Keep Going
Throughout everything, one constant remained: family.
Chelsy and Shane are high school sweethearts and celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this year. While Shane was navigating his own cancer journey, he was also there for every step of hers.
"He has been my rock," Chelsy said. "When nothing else felt the same and I didn't recognize myself, he was there and he was the constant."
She credits his unwavering support with helping her through some of her most difficult moments.
Today, her husband and daughters continue to motivate her every day.
"I am fighting for him, and for my two daughters," she said. "I want to be here for them, to create memories and experiences for as long as I can."
Celebrating the Milestones
Today, Chelsy is doing well. She continues to take daily medication and sees her oncologist every six months. While some effects of treatment remain, she focuses on celebrating progress and appreciating each milestone.
She is also grateful for the care she received from the team at Willamette Valley Cancer Institute, including Dr. Cho.
"Thank you to Dr. Cho for caring for me and ensuring I recognize and celebrate milestones," she said.
For anyone just beginning their own cancer journey, Chelsy's advice is simple but powerful:
"Celebrate milestones, have things to look forward to, let people help, and don't apologize for any of the emotions or feelings you are having."
Chelsy's story is a reminder that strength isn't always about overcoming challenges alone. Sometimes it's found in accepting support, celebrating small victories, and holding tight to the people who matter most.
If you are due for a mammogram or have concerns about your breast health, talk with your healthcare provider about screening options. Early detection remains one of the most effective tools in the fight against breast cancer.
