Susie Wiles says cancer treatment affected her stamina and concentration as she continued serving as White House chief of staff.
In a September 27 USA Today essay, President Donald Trump’s top aide described the physical and emotional strain of chemotherapy alongside the demands of her job.
“Fighting cancer is brutal and unrelenting,” she wrote, explaining that concerns about treatment and test results could dominate her thoughts.
Balancing Treatment and Work
Wiles said some days required all her energy simply to face treatment. On others, getting dressed and going to work presented its own challenge.
According to USA Today’s reporting on her essay, she found that continuing to work helped preserve her sense of purpose beyond medical appointments and the illness itself.
She nevertheless acknowledged limits on her stamina, mobility and focus. Colleagues helped when she could not be everywhere she wanted to be.
Wiles also stressed that working through treatment would not be possible or appropriate for everyone. She described it as a personal choice that helped her maintain a connection to life outside cancer.
Clear Pathology Results Followed Surgery
Wiles disclosed her early-stage breast cancer diagnosis in March and remained in her White House role during treatment.
On September 16, she announced that pathology results had come back clear following a Mayo Clinic appointment, according to ABC News.
In her subsequent essay, she said surgery had been successful and pathology showed no residual cancer. She described her next task as rebuilding the strength treatment had taken from her.
Family and Colleagues Provided Support
Wiles credited her two daughters, extended family, friends, colleagues and medical team with helping her through treatment. She also thanked Trump for his support.
Her account emphasized that reaching a positive medical milestone did not immediately erase the effects of months of treatment.
As she continues recovering, Wiles said she wants to remain connected to the roles that matter to her, including being a mother, grandmother, friend and public servant.