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Skye's Journey
First-hand account of Skye Isono, founder and owner of Samurai Roofing Services, cancer journey:
On May 21, 2024, I sunk into a warm bathtub, a sanctuary after an incredibly demanding day and an intense sparring session the night before. I had pushed my body to its limits, feeling every ache and strain echoing through me as I began to unwind. With each gentle splash, the worries of the day began to fade, but as I scrubbed my skin, I felt something unexpected—a lump beneath my left breast that hadn’t existed before.
A chill ran down my spine. Deep inside, I knew my body; I knew when something was off. This didn’t feel right, and an unsettling dread settled in my stomach. According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives. I had always prided myself on being in tune with my body, but the looming possibility of joining that statistic was terrifying.
The very next day, I took the brave step of visiting my doctor. The sterile scent of antiseptic and the coldness of the examination room did nothing to calm my nerves. After a thorough examination, he confirmed what I had feared—the lump was real. To my horror, he also discovered a swollen lymph node under my arm. The gravity of the situation crashed down on me like a tidal wave. Within moments, my life took a sharp turn; I was scheduled for a mammogram and an ultrasound, and the feeling of impending doom grew heavier.​​​
EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES!
​​​​​​​​​​Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, accounting for nearly 30% of all new female cancer diagnoses. The statistics weighed heavily on my mind as I prepared for the next steps. As I lay on the examination table, the ultrasound tech’s gentle demeanor couldn’t shield me from the reality she was about to convey. She pointed out the jagged edges of the tumor, her voice steady yet filled with compassion as she uttered the words that no one ever wants to hear: “This doesn’t look benign.” My heart sank. I felt as though the ground had dropped away beneath me, leaving me suspended in a void of fear and uncertainty.
Soon after, I underwent a biopsy, each heartbeat echoing the dread that filled my mind. When the results came in, it was like a thunderclap in a clear sky: Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Triple Positive, Stage 2B. The words echoed in my mind—cancer had already begun its insidious spread. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Triple Positive breast cancer is characterized by the presence of estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and excess HER2 protein, making it a particularly aggressive type. I was thrust into a whirlwind of emotions: disbelief, anger, sadness, and an overwhelming sense of vulnerability.
​From that moment forward, life became a blur of tests and appointments, each one a reminder of the battle I was now facing. I was propelled into a rigorous treatment plan—six rounds of TCHP chemotherapy. The side effects hit me like a freight train, relentless and unforgiving. I lost all my hair, my body ached from the inside out, and my once-vibrant energy was replaced by an unyielding fatigue. Yet, amidst the chaos, I refused to let my business crumble.
​​There were days when I looked in the mirror and barely recognized the pale, weak reflection staring back at me. My strength seemed to wane, and I often felt as if I were walking through a fog, each step heavy and labored. But I refused to let cancer define me. I donned my beanie and boots, climbed onto roofs, and made calls—bald, eyebrows gone, skin raw from treatment. I did this not out of obligation, but out of a fierce determination to show the world, and myself, that I was still here, still fighting.
​​There were days when I looked in the mirror and barely recognized the pale, weak reflection staring back at me. My strength seemed to wane, and I often felt as if I were walking through a fog, each step heavy and labored. But I refused to let cancer define me. I donned my beanie and boots, climbed onto roofs, and made calls—bald, eyebrows gone, skin raw from treatment. I did this not out of obligation, but out of a fierce determination to show the world, and myself, that I was still here, still fighting.
​​After completing chemotherapy, I faced yet another challenge: a lumpectomy accompanied by lymph node removal. The surgery was a physical reminder of my struggle, and soon after, I began 33 rounds of radiation therapy. The statistics surrounding radiation treatment are staggering; roughly 50-60% of women diagnosed with breast cancer will undergo some form of radiation as part of their treatment. Each session left me feeling more exhausted, blistered, and drained, like a fried chicken nugget, as I often joked. But even during radiation, I kept showing up, refusing to let my circumstances dictate my resolve.
Now, I find myself in the midst of 14 rounds of Kadcyla chemotherapy—a year-long journey that has already proven to be a test of my endurance. I have completed three rounds so far, each one a testament to my resilience. Following this, I will face another six years on hormonal pills, a precautionary measure to keep the cancer from returning. According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, these hormonal therapies can reduce the risk of recurrence by up to 50% in hormone receptor-positive cases.
This journey has been an arduous, painful experience filled with moments of despair and reflection. Yet, through it all, I have discovered an inner strength I never knew I possessed. I built a thriving business while battling cancer, proving that even the darkest days could not extinguish my drive. I pushed forward when everything inside me screamed to quit. I lightened the heaviness of chemotherapy with laughter, walked into rooms bald and unbothered, and showed the world that a warrior doesn’t always wear armor—sometimes, she wears a roofing shirt and gold rings.
As I continue this fight, I know deep down that I am not done yet. My story is far from over, and with every challenge I face, I grow stronger, more resilient, and more determined to write the next chapter of my life. I stand as a testament to the strength of women everywhere battling this disease, knowing that together, we can raise awareness and inspire hope for a future without breast cancer.
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