SURVIVOR SPOTLIGHT: Michelle Goehring

A Mother. A Therapist. A New Orleanian.

When Michelle Goehring learned she was HER2-negative and BRCA2-positive, everything shifted at once. Knowing her genetic risk, she made the proactive and courageous decision to move forward with prophylactic surgery first. She underwent a mastectomy and GAP flap reconstruction before beginning chemotherapy, hoping the surgery alone might be enough.

But when her Oncotype score came back, the results showed that chemotherapy would significantly reduce her risk of recurrence. So Michelle chose to proceed with four rounds of chemo, finishing her last treatment on October 10th. Through it all, she continued being a present, loving mother to her two young children, ages five and seven.

In the beginning, Michelle didn’t tell many people about her diagnosis. It wasn’t secrecy — she simply needed space to process it. As treatment decisions unfolded, she realized how much support she truly needed, especially with two little ones at home and the physical recovery from major surgery. Her family became her anchor. They helped with school drop-offs and pickups, meals, household tasks, kids’ appointments, and even hosted her overnight when post-surgical recovery made it difficult to be home.

Letting others help wasn’t easy at first, but once she allowed it, she felt the weight begin to lift. The outpouring of love surprised her — meals, texts, gifts, childcare, prayers. She was humbled by the generosity.

During both surgery recovery and chemotherapy, a few comfort items made her feel more supported. Soft Eberjey pajamas became her go-to — gentle on healing skin and comforting through long days of rest. She also relied on a post-mastectomy robe with drain pockets, a small but essential item that made those early post-op days much easier and more manageable.

Michelle hopes other women hearing the words “you have cancer” know that it’s okay if they don’t tell everyone right away. Processing takes time. But when they’re ready, letting people in can make the journey feel far less heavy.

“Ask for help. Let people show up for you. You don’t have to do this alone.”

She is a mother, a therapist, a New Orleanian, and now, a survivor. Her courage reflects exactly why Re-Femme exists — so every woman feels seen, supported, and held through one of the hardest experiences of her life.