Candy’s Journey to Recovery: From CrossFit Champion to Breast Cancer Survivor
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When Candy Marroquin moved from Guatemala to the United States 25 years ago, she brought with her a love for life and an energy that radiates through everything she does. A dedicated wife and mother of three, Candy’s days were filled with activity, from CrossFit sessions at her local gym to hiking and traveling with her family.
But in April 2024, her life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Discovering the unexpected
Marroquin vividly recalls the moment that changed everything. “I had just been to CrossFit the day before when I felt a strange pain in my right side,” she explained. “At first, I thought it was a muscle strain. But when I was showering, I realized something didn’t feel right.”
Trusting her instinct, she made an appointment with her doctor right away. Despite a clear mammogram just six months earlier, further tests—including an ultrasound and MRI—confirmed her concern. It was breast cancer. Initially diagnosed at stage one, the cancer progressed quickly to stage two by the time she underwent a double mastectomy in June.
“I had no history of breast cancer in my family, so it came as a complete shock,” Marroquin shared. “Things moved so quickly. One moment, I was full of life, and in the next, I felt like everything was on pause.”
The struggles following surgery
Marroquin underwent three major surgeries in less than a year. The double mastectomy in June, the DIEP flap breast reconstruction in September, and finally, nipple reconstruction in February. Each procedure brought its own set of challenges.
“The physical pain was one thing, but mentally, it was hard. Seeing my body change so much, it took a toll. I lost a lot of my strength, my energy and my confidence,” she admitted. The expanders placed during her mastectomy caused swelling and discomfort, making even small movements a challenge.
For someone who had always been active, adjusting to a slower pace of life was especially difficult. “I had always loved doing CrossFit and living an active lifestyle. Suddenly, everything felt out of reach. I just wanted to feel strong and like myself again.”
Finding strength through rehabilitative care
Marroquin knew she needed support to regain her mobility and strength. After advocating for physical therapy, her doctor referred her to Brooks Rehabilitation, where she began her recovery process in March 2025.
She first began physical therapy at our Mandarin North outpatient clinic. After a couple sessions, one of Marroquin’s physical therapists, Quinn Pollok, PT, DPT, reached out to Ashley Perry, PT, DPT, MTC, Brooks’ oncology navigator coordinator, for mentorship to care for post-mastectomy patients.
“When I initially met Candy, she had very limited shoulder range of motion and was not making the strides she had hoped following surgery,” said Perry. “I began to come to her therapy sessions to ensure she was getting the right exercises for her pain.”
Brooks’ cancer rehabilitation program is designed for individuals seeking support before, during or after cancer treatment. As the system navigation coordinator, Perry can provide the support needed to patients and clinicians to ensure a seamless delivery of care.
“Cancer rehabilitation is not something we get a lot of education on while in school, so it’s not uncommon to be a novice in this patient population,” says Perry. “Through in-person or virtual learning opportunities, our therapists can be prepared prior to seeing the patient and ask any questions that they may have before the patient arrives. This can also include communication with the oncology team for clarification on precautions, treatment schedule and overall patient goals.”
With the expertise from Perry and Pollok, they worked together to address concerns for Marroquin’s pain, weakness and poor range of motion. As her physical strength improved, so did her mindset.
Moving forward
After a month, Marroquin moved to our Healthcare Plaza outpatient clinic and began treatment with Julia Delesdernier, PT, DPT, WCS. To ensure a seamless continuum of care, Perry came with her, offering guidance and support as Candy transitioned into her new treatment schedule.
Under Perry’s mentorship and with Delesdernier’s expertise, developed through her women’s health physical therapy residency, the team designed a highly personalized recovery plan. This included targeted stretching, mobility work and strengthening exercises tailored to Marroquin’s specific needs to help increase her range of motion.
“My therapists didn’t just treat my body; they cared about me as a person. They listened to where I was hurting and tailored the therapy to those areas. They gave me the emotional encouragement I needed when I felt defeated,” Marroquin shared.
Reclaiming herself
Little by little, Marroquin reclaimed her strength. Today, she’s able to squat, use wall balls and even return to some of her favorite CrossFit exercises. She’s finding joy in the small wins, like hanging from a pull-up bar or attempting sit-ups again. And her biggest win came when she was able to return to her CrossFit gym.
Marroquin hopes her story can inspire others facing similar challenges. She urges fellow breast cancer survivors to consider physical therapy as an integral part of their recovery.
“Cancer takes a lot from you—not just your health, but your confidence and peace of mind,” she reflected. “But therapy was like the final piece of the puzzle. It gave me back my mobility, my strength and most importantly, my hope. I can’t thank my therapists enough for their help and support. They’ve been a shining light throughout a very dark time.”
To anyone battling breast cancer or recovering from surgery, Marroquin has this message of encouragement, “Never stop believing in yourself. The road is tough, but with the right support, you can regain your strength and rediscover the person you were meant to be.”
To learn more about Brooks’ cancer rehabilitation program and how we can help, visit Cancer Rehabilitation | Jacksonville, FL.
