In Her Words: Lauren Yerkes

Age: 41

Location: Orange County, CA

Current Health Status: 3.5-year breast cancer survivor

 

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Tell us a little bit about yourself. 

I was born and raised in Southern California. I graduated from California State University of Long Beach with a degree in Business Marketing and a minor in fashion merchandising. In 2008, as a Senior in college, I took on an internship at REVOLVE, where I worked my way up to eventually Chief Merchandising Officer and ultimately resigned in July 2024 after 16 years so I could focus on living and my own brand. I’ve been married to my husband, Chris, for almost 13 years, but we’ve been together for 24 years. We have no kids, just a cat and each other. I love being in the kitchen, long walks, and trips to Maui and Idaho.

When were you diagnosed with breast cancer?

I was diagnosed with triple-negative stage 2b breast cancer on April 7, 2022, at the age of 37, three days before my 38th birthday. I had no family history, wasn’t 40, and honestly, breast cancer wasn’t anywhere on my radar as something to be worried about. I quickly learned after my diagnosis that I carry the BRCA2 genetic mutation, increasing my risk of breast cancer to over 80% and my risk of ovarian cancer to over 30%. I found my cancer in the shower in December 2021, went for a mammogram and ultrasound, and nothing was caught, despite me feeling a palpable lump. 4 months later, I woke up to nipple discharge, which prompted a biopsy and ultimately my diagnosis.

I went through 14 of 16 rounds of chemotherapy, 5 of 12 months of immunotherapy and everything was cut short due to ulcers that had developed in my GI tract. Four days before my double mastectomy, I had to have an emergency feeding tube placed (my husband and I celebrated our 10-year wedding anniversary in the hospital, on the eve of my new feeding tube). A few days later, I started 30 days of hyperbaric treatment as I had developed nipple necrosis after surgery. But on November 11, 2022, I was officially declared cancer-free. I had had a complete PCR to treatment!

In March 2023, I had reconstructive surgery and my feeding tube was removed. That December, I elected to have a preventative hysterectomy due to the BRCA2 gene increasing my risk for ovarian cancer.

How did you feel when you were diagnosed?

My first thought was that I wasn’t going to make it to the holidays. I had no concept of what cancer was other than what I had seen in movies, which was always grim and awful.

How did your friends and family take the news?

Everyone was so supportive. Family flew in from out of state, my sister and her family came over, and my parents were there. I never felt alone in the sense of having people around me — someone was always with me, and I am so grateful.

Since I am BRCA2 positive, we found out my mom was the carrier, which in turn sparked her to have a preventative double mastectomy and hysterectomy. Her brother also tested positive and is now on preventative screening as well.

 What kind of treatment did you seek?

My treatments started off relatively smoothly. In the first 10 rounds, I was managing, aside from losing my hair and all sense of control, I was doing okay. From treatment #10–#14 is when things got really bad. I was vomiting 5–7 times a day, which is how we determined I needed to stop treatment after #14. I underwent an endoscopy to find the ulcers that had developed.

For me, there was no question that I was going to need chemotherapy due to my cancer being triple-negative. Since I had a complete PCR, I did not need radiation, which I don’t know if my body could have taken any more at that point anyway.

Have you been able to work while you're going through treatment?

I did “work” through treatment, but it was really hard. I had hopes that it would give me things to think about other than what was happening to me, but I found that it became really hard to focus and I was so tired and so sick that after my surgery, I ended up taking two months’ leave to recover. Being that I was an executive and oversaw a 50-person org, I really wanted to be there for my team, but I just was not the best version of myself.

How have you found the best care?

My care is through Keck Medicine of USC in Newport Beach, CA. My surgeons are through Hoag Medical Group. I could not be happier with the care that I received and continue to receive from my care team. I feel very fortunate that family and friends came together and gave me so many recommendations for amazing oncologists and surgeons when I was first diagnosed.

Have you received additional support or sought alternative therapies?

After treatments and surgeries, I started seeing a therapist.  I was so lost and survivorship really is a whole different world to live in, so I’ve found support and help in seeing a therapist.  I’ve also found a passion to helping other women by volunteering with various non-profits.  Since I was diagnosed under 40, I feel like I’m still looking for that non-profit with more women my age, but I have found so much comfort in meeting some amazing women who are 10+ years out from their diagnosis.

Who have been your biggest supporters and make up your cancer tribe?

My husband is my co-survivor. He doesn’t get enough credit for everything he did and continues to do for me/us. He went to 90% of my appointments, drove me to hydration 3–4 times a week on top of my infusion appointments, did all of our cooking, cleaning and general upkeep of our house. My family was also extremely supportive and showed up in more ways than one — from cooking for us to picking up medicines to staying with us when things got really overwhelming or when my husband had to be in the office.

What have been some of the most challenging aspects of the experience for you?

Each phase of the journey brings about different challenges or hurdles.  During my treatment, I really struggled with depression. I lost all control of my life and just felt so awful, so that was really hard.  During survivorship, I find that most days are better than not, but survivorship comes with its own challenges that I think are often overlooked after you are declared cancer-free.  There’s always this fear in your head that something can drop again since you’ve seen it happen or a fear that anything you do or don’t do is contributing to shortening your life.  I am grateful to be alive and all the amazing care I had, but not every day is easy and I try to take each day as it comes.

What is one thing you wish you had known before you were diagnosed?

I carry the BRCA2 genetic mutation. I could have made preventative decisions or been put on early screening before my diagnosis. I really try to encourage as many people as possible to ask their doctor about genetic testing. There are more and more mutations being identified that increase your risk of developing all sorts of cancer, and I think knowledge is powerful.

Is there a particular mantra or inspiration that helps you?

One thing at a time.

If you could offer a woman who has been newly diagnosed some words of wisdom for her journey, what would you tell her?

I tell every woman who is newly diagnosed that you’ll get your life back. Just get through this the best way you know how and don’t worry too much about trying to solve everything — that’s what your medical team is there to help you with.

What are you most proud of in your cancer journey?

That I did it with as much grace as I could.  That I didn’t give up and that I kept putting one foot in front of the other.  And now, I am so proud of myself for launching POST SWIM.  I feel like this journey inspired me to figure out my new purpose in life and so I launched POST SWIM on my three-year cancerversary as a way to reclaim the day.  It’s a brand made for breast cancer survivors because I believe that putting on a bathing suit is already vulnerable enough and after cancer it makes you even more vulnerable…plus, we needed some stylish options for our community!

How has breast cancer affected your outlook on life and illness?

On life, it’s very precious. Just when you think you have it figured out, you don’t. On illness, it’s the number one priority for me. If I’m not healthy, I can’t do anything else.

Throughout this journey, how have you changed?

Oh my gosh, so many ways. My goals, my purpose, my love for life and my husband and my family — it all changed instantly. I stopped caring about the little things, stopped worrying about what I can’t control (mostly ☺) and really don’t get so worked up in general. I’m more empathetic, more emotional (I used to never cry), more thoughtful and understanding.