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Survivor Story: A Source of Help and Hope
June 2, 2020
A Source of Help and Hope
Melinda Johnson
Melinda’s routine mammogram in December 2017, was normal. But she was advised to do an automated breast ultrasound as follow up. Melinda went in for the diagnostic procedure.
Unfortunately, they found an issue; Melinda was diagnosed with breast cancer.
A YOUNG MOTHER’S TOUGH DECISION
She explains, “We have a big, unique family, including two 2-year-olds at the time. My whole situation was completely overwhelming when I was diagnosed.”
With the future of her family in mind, Melinda moved quickly to consult with her doctors on a treatment plan. Surgery was scheduled right away. Melinda shares that it was a hard decision, “but I thought if something does come back in 10 years, or five years or one year, I wanted to know that I did everything that I could do at the time. I was young enough and healthy enough to fight with everything I had.”
LIFE-EXTENDING TREATMENT, CLOSE TO HOME
She continues, “I did all of the chemo here and the staff was amazing: the nurses, the people in the lab and radiation. The people at the cancer center are so caring and top-notch. You just can’t beat the atmosphere here.”
She continues, “I just loved my doctors. They are knowledgeable and clearly explained all the options. The staff, volunteers and everybody just seem to care.”
Melinda is still in contact with some of the staff even though she finished treatment Dec. 21, 2018. She returns to the center for checkups. But best of all, she’s back to what she loves: building a future for her family.
