Melissa found a lump in her left breast, sort of by accident.  At the age of 30 and with no family history, self breast exams were not in her normal routine.  She waited about a month before saying anything to her doctor, assuming it was nothing.  After a mammogram and ultrasound, her doctor recommended a biopsy just to be safe.  A week later, the doctor called Melissa at night from her cell phone.  The results were in – cancer.  The diagnosis was a shock, but Melissa took it all in stride.  She decided to look at things with a positive outlook and never play the victim.  She had a double mastectomy in December 2009 which ultimately revealed two tiny, previously undetected, cancerous tumors in the right breast tissue.  In January 2010 she went in for an auxiliary dissection to test more lymph nodes for cancer.  Luckily, no lymph nodes were affected.  She then proceeded to do 6 treatments of TAC chemotherapy.  In August 2010 she went through her third surgery for breast reconstruction.  Jeff, Melissa’s fiancé was by her side the whole time and she tearfully calls him her angel.

Melissa was lucky enough to hear about YES! shortly after she was diagnosed.  She attended their Christmas party and believes meeting all the lovely ladies was the main reason she was able to stay so positive throughout her treatments and recovery.  Remembering the smiling faces of other young survivors gave Melissa hope for a bright future.  Melissa is now sharing responsibility of “New Member Coordinator” with Nicole and is hopeful that they’ll be able to help many other young women as they cope with cancer diagnoses.