I’m Megan-Claire Chase, aka Warrior Megsie!

Welcome to my blog.

I write about my breast cancer experience, life post-cancer, difficulties and racism experienced as a Black woman, survivor, professional, and advocate.

Cliff note version of my breast cancer story and where I am now.

I am a breast cancer survivor and patient advocate from Atlanta, GA. My blog, Life on the Cancer Train, details my experiences as a young adult cancer survivor while advocating for better treatments and resources.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer (stage II A invasive lobular) on 9/14/15 at 39 years old. You can bet I never expected to get this type of cancer. I spent 22 months in active treatment all while single and working full-time. I’ve had 16 rounds of chemo (4 AC and 12 Taxol), eight surgeries and 33 radiation treatments. By the end of my active treatment, I was using a cane, not able to drive, could barely walk and beautifully bald. I was officially declared NED (no evidence of disease) on 10/25/16. I refuse to say “cancer free” or “remission” because that just sounds so temporary.

I am now in my 40’s, still in a long-term relationship NED, chronically single and have my adorable and precious baby (a ginger cat) Nathan Edgar, aka Baby Natey, by my side as I struggle to navigate this “new life.”

Thanks to my many cancer treatments and surgeries, I am unable to have children due to surgically induced menopause in February 2017. I was diagnosed with chemo-induced neuropathy (CIPN) and fibromyalgia in October 2018. Chronic pain is difficult to tolerate and manage with no real relief. As of December 2019, two lesions have been found on my spine that are benign but need to be monitored. I received a nerve ablation in 2022 after fighting and advocating to address my debilitating back pain over the past five years be taken seriously. Unfortunately, I continue to deal with unmanaged excruciating back pain because the nerve ablation on gave relief for four months. I have to get injections every 4-6 months.

I was featured on Stories from the Stage episode “Beyond Cancer,” which aired on PBS and World Channel in June 2023. My work has been showcased in publications like The New York Times, People Magazine, Cancer Health Magazine, Cancer Today, CURE, and Patient Power. I have also been published on numerous nonprofit cancer sites.

My body feels like it’s 700 years old dealing due to chronic fatigue from pain. I’d like a refund on this body and replaced with an upgrade to a new pain free body STAT!

Photo credit: Patricia Alvarez, World Channel