From Ice Cold Caps to Warm, Healing Hearts: Blair's Breast Cancer Story

For 15 years, Blair Reynolds has been a familiar, passionate force at the WakeMed Foundation — someone who finds joy in connecting generous donors with meaningful ways to improve patient care. It’s work rooted in compassion. But in the spring of 2025, Blair found herself on the other side of that care.

On April 28, 2025, what began as a routine annual mammogram at WakeMed North Hospital quietly set everything in motion. Just days later, she returned for additional imaging. And by May 7, she was back again — this time for a biopsy.

A Surprising Diagnosis

"I went in for my annual mammogram, and the radiologist noticed something concerning. Several physicians have since told me that this radiologist, Dr. Guerra, must have superhero-level vision because what she saw was incredibly easy to miss. Adding to the surprise, my mom had completed BRCA genetic testing for breast cancer markers, and her results were negative. I had also recently completed the PreciselyYou health screening to identify any genetic predispositions to diseases, including breast cancer, and my results were negative across the board."

The diagnosis that followed would change everything.

Blair was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer — HER2 triple positive invasive ductal carcinoma. Though caught at an early stage, the news was overwhelming. Life, as she knew it, shifted in an instant. Yet, even in the uncertainty, Blair found herself surrounded by something powerful: a team that moved quickly, worked together seamlessly and cared deeply.

Compassion from the Start

"My WakeMed family wrapped me in their arms and carried me through the entire process. From the start, in my initial four appointments with the WakeMed Imaging team at WakeMed North, they literally escorted me and supported me as I navigated the hospital system."

Her treatment plan came together speedily. Within weeks, she met with WakeMed Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery specialist Scott Hultman, MD, FACS, and underwent a lumpectomy with breast surgeon Lori Lilley, MD, FACS. 

In reflecting on her journey, Dr. Lilley shares, " It was truly an honor to take care of Blair, especially after she has given so much to WakeMed. She is a dear person. She came with a supportive family, and even though cancer is always a devastating diagnosis to hear, she educated herself, put on her 'boxing gloves' and went through this with grace and tenacity. I was glad I was a part of her team!"

The Power of a Coordinated Approach

From imaging to surgery and next to oncology, every step was connected — a multidisciplinary effort focused entirely on her healing. In fact, her care team met weekly to discuss her case as well as other cancer cases to ensure collaboration and the best outcomes.

At WakeMed Cancer Care - Wavery Hematology & Medical Oncology - Cary, Blair stepped into a new phase of her journey — one with clinical expertise, warmth, patience and humanity. The road ahead would include immunotherapy and chemotherapy, beginning July 9. 

"My family and I spent nearly four hours with WakeMed oncologist Mark Graham, MD, and I remember thinking we had just completed a master class in breast cancer. We learned so much — he was an extraordinary teacher. Several times he stepped out of the room to give us space to process everything he had explained, something we appreciated more than he probably realized. He answered every one of our questions with patience and clarity. I also remember him telling me that my type of breast cancer was once considered a death sentence, but today it is treatable and curable. He looked at me and said, 'I’ve got you, and you are going to be okay!' I will never forget hearing those words."

Dr. Graham comments, "The treatments in this era are not easy. Blair had 12 weeks of overlapping chemotherapy with the breakthrough drug Herceptin, which now for a quarter century has been changing the lives of patients. The rest of the year, she received Herceptin alone. It is a long and arduous treatment, and for the young patient with a young family, it is also psychologically taxing. This is where the importance of oncology nursing, pharmacy and supportive care come to the fore. The oncologist fronts the show, but it is truly a team effort."

The Fight to Save Her Hair

Determined to preserve a sense of normalcy, she chose to undergo cold capping — an intense process to reduce hair loss during treatment. Cold capping is a scalp cooling technique used before, during and after chemotherapy that constricts blood vessels in the scalp. It reduces blood flow to the hair follicles, decreasing the amount of chemotherapy drug that reaches them. Prior to wearing the caps, Blair had to wear a mole skin strip and two panty liners on her forehead to protect her skin from frost bite. She also wore mole skin and ear covers to protect her ears.

"I chose to use the cold‑capping method to preserve my hair follicles — and it worked. The process, however, was grueling: nearly ten hours on each chemotherapy day. The caps were chilled with dry ice to around –25 degrees, and my husband, Jeff, endured the toughest part, with help from my best friend Jamie and my mom. He would get up early and head to Harris Teeter to pack the cooler, then spend the day preparing each cap, so it could be changed every 25 minutes. To make them pliable and fit the shape of my head, he had to use a mallet and his hands while ensuring the temperature stayed between –28 and –35 degrees Celsius. After each treatment, I also had to continue wearing the cold caps for an additional five hours at home."

What followed was months of loving support from those around her. From early mornings preparing her caps to long treatment days and strict routines at home, it became a shared effort.

During this season of cold capping from July to February 2026, Blair had many restrictions on how she cared for her hair. She could only wash her hair twice a week in cold water — no scrubbing. She had to use a special shampoo and conditioner, avoiding getting the conditioner on her scalp. She could not brush her hair but only comb it with a wide tooth comb. She also could not use a hair dryer, straightener or any heat on her hair.

"It was a very involved, expensive process for all, but it worked for me and my regimen. My best friends and family contributed to my 'hair fund' to help cover the monthly cost of cold capping and dry ice. A friend purchased amazing hot pink tennis shoes for me that I refer to as my cancer fighting shoes."

Gratitude for an Extraordinary Team

Blair's breast cancer journey wasn’t easy. It required sacrifice, adaptation and strength in ways she had never imagined. But through it all, Blair remained grounded in gratitude — for her care team, for her family and for the community that rallied around her in extraordinary ways.

“My cancer care team was truly extraordinary. From the front‑desk staff — who now are friends — to Dr. Graham; Susan Blumenthal; and my infusion nurses, Diane, Michael and Telissa. I felt I was being cared for by family every time I walked through the door.”

Restoration and Reconstruction

As treatment proved successful, hope grew stronger and with her hair preserved, Blair reached another milestone. She returned to WakeMed Plastic & Reconstruction and Breast Surgery in November for bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction.

Dr. Hultman adds, "It has been a joy to provide exceptional care to Blair."

“I felt incredibly safe and well cared for during my surgery at WakeMed Cary," Blair reflects. "Every person who entered my room was warm, knowledgeable and reassuring. I was especially grateful for my anesthesiologist, who listened attentively to my medical history and concerns and developed a plan thoughtfully tailored to my needs.”

Triumph and Celebration

On Blair’s last day of chemotherapy, her friends and family gathered outside the clinic to celebrate the completion of this chapter in her journey. Later that day, she held a small ceremony at home to ring her wind chimes, symbolizing the end of treatment. The chimes were especially meaningful — they had been given to her when her father passed away — so ringing them in that moment felt like having him with her.

“This health journey has been profoundly humbling. We have been lifted up by so many people — supporting us, praying for us, contributing to my cold‑capping costs and preparing meals for our family. The outpouring of love has been incredible, and the power of prayer is remarkable. My mom even had 'Team Blair' bracelets made, and my heart swells every time I see someone wearing one.”

The Journey Continues

Today, Blair continues her treatment with ongoing therapies that will uphold her long-term health. 

"I will receive ongoing Herceptin every three weeks, ending July 9, 2026, and I will be on Tamoxifen for 10 years."

While her journey is not yet complete, it is a story of resilience and WakeMed's compassion — every step of the way.

A Step Back into Normalcy

Blair is excited to step back fully into her WakeMed work with her energy restored. She has also returned to her extracurricular activities, including being a PTA president and committee member for the Miss Garner Scholarship. 

Blair shares, "I am go-time all the time, and this experience slowed me down enough to help me reflect on what is important. It has changed me. I've come to understand how much good there is in the world and in my own village. The overwhelming support and prayers reminded me of the goodness of humanity. I've also grown even closer to my daughter, as I shared my journey with her, on an age-appropriate level. Then, too, I'm no longer bothered by trivial matters. I've learned that at the end of the day, so much of what we stress over really isn't a big deal. We can choose joy."

---

About WakeMed Breast Surgery

We know the worry and stress that comes after an abnormal mammogram or the identification of an issue with your breast that raises a concern. That’s why our breast surgery team is dedicated to offering coordinated care, prompt appointments and swift intervention. 

A diagnosis is the start of a journey and we’re here every step of the way for our patients to provide the medical and surgical care they need with the care and compassion that they deserve.

About WakeMed Cancer Care – Hematology & Medical Oncology

At WakeMed Cancer Care, we understand that being diagnosed with a blood disorder or cancer can feel overwhelming. Recognizing the fear and uncertainty a patient may be experiencing, we are committed to walking alongside our patients, to support, guide and render the most compassionate care for as long as we’re needed.

The most important member of our community is you. That’s why we created a community of caregivers who surround our patients with proven medical and surgical expertise, state-of-the-art-technology, world-class nursing care, advanced physical rehabilitation services and specialized support services.

No matter your condition or stage, our multidisciplinary team treats your cancer with the latest technologies and the highest standards of clinical quality.

About WakeMed Imaging

We know the worry and stress that comes after an abnormal mammogram or the identification of an issue with your breast that raises a concern. That’s why our WakeMed Imaging Services is a full-service imaging department offering advanced technology, convenient access and prompt testing and results. As professionals who have a true passion for care and caring, we focus on providing excellent, individualized service to each patient.