MELISSA'S STORY - On September 30, 2005 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My last mammogram had been in February, but a protruding lump at the bottom of my left breast quickly got my attention. It hurt! Though I thought it was simply irritation from the under wire of a new bra, I called my OBGYN, Dr. James Romine, immediately. He had me come in to his office and after examination sent me for a mammogram and ultrasound. Neither showed anything that looked like breast cancer, but Dr. Romine was determined to find out what exactly it was since it was not supposed to be there. He made me an appointment with Fayetteville's nationally renowned breast surgeon, Dr. Michael Cross, for the next day.

Dr. Cross examined me and did his own ultrasound. He couldn't tell what it was either and suggested a biopsy. He was leaving town for several days the next evening, but didn't want to make me wait until he got back, so he got me into the surgery center early the next morning for a surgical biopsy. During the biopsy he located a 2 cm tumor. He called me that very evening after he arrived at his out-of-town destination to tell me that he had gotten a verbal report and that my biopsy was malignant. He called again the next morning and had me set up an appointment at the Breast Center for an MRI and to see if Dr. Steven Harms could determine if there was a main lymph node called a sentinel node close to the area of the tumor. What dedication!

Dr. Harms was able to see a main node close to the tumor area, so he talked to Dr. Cross and scheduled me for sentinel node surgery. Dr. Cross performed sentinel node surgery and removed the sentinel node and three other lymph nodes -- all of which had traces of cancer in them. The next step was a PET Scan, which revealed activity in my abdominal area. A CT Scan showed three spots in my liver and a biopsy confirmed the breast cancer had spread there as well. I was beginning my fight with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.

For the first year I was treated with a hormone therapy drug called Femara. It was a pill that I took each morning. No side effects at all. It finally stopped working so I was switched to another drug called Faslodex. It was a shot once a month. No side effects at all. It quit working after about 9 months and I was switched to a daily chemo pill called Xeloda, and after a few months another pill called Sutent was added. No side effects to speak of other than some redness and tenderness on the bottoms of my feet. In May of 2008 the treatment was not showing results so I went to IV chemo. I started with Taxol and Avastin. I lost almost all of my hair but have had no other side effects at all. I am about to complete my third treatment of a chemo combination of Adriamycin, Cytoxin and 5 FU. No side effects to that either. I think I am the only person in the world that loves to go to Chemo!!

I receive my chemo at Highlands Oncology. I go on Tuesdays, so that day is marked off on my calendar. That is a 'me' day! I go about 8:00 AM, and I have a group of friends at chemo, and we all sit together. Everyone gets a big recliner. When I get there I get a Coke first thing. They have just about any drink you could want -- from juices to sodas. They even have Styrofoam cups and small cubed ice! Then, I pick my snacks. They have peanut butter crackers, graham crackers, Little Debbies, etc. By the time I get back to my chair they have my meds and are ready to start my IV. Sometimes you even get a hand and foot massage! Sleep is wonderful there and sometimes they don't even wake me up if I am asleep when my treatment is finished. They just let me sleep! The nurses are the best in the whole wide world and ready to do anything they possibly can to make you comfortable. They are a very special crew!

To date, my cancer has been pretty well behaved and has responded well to treatments. I have not been sick even one day, and have continued to live a completely normal life. No doubt cancer brings you closer to your faith, friends and family. My husband and family have been there for me the whole way, and my friends have just been awesome. I am so blessed. Every day is a gift!