- H
My name is Melissa Sexton. I love to enjoy life, but now apparently I am going to have to fight to keep my life.
I have been diagnosed with stage II aggressive breast cancer with a grade 3 tumor at the age of 31 years old. I found out that I had malignant breast cancer 5 days before my daughter turned 2 years old. I don't understand why, or how these things keep happening to me, but the one thing I do know is I'm a fighter and I DO NOT GIVE UP!
In August of 2014 my daughter was delivered 6 weeks prematurely to save both of our lives. I had developed a terrible case of HELLP syndrome and severe preeclampsia. By the time it was discovered I was in critical condition. My kidneys were only functioning at 5%, my liver was failing and my blood platelet count was plummeting. My blood pressure was scary high and I had pulmonary edema. It was such a shock to find out I was so close to dying. Then when my daughter was born at 3lbs 4oz I only got to catch a glimpse of her before they rushed her to the NICU because it was apparent the HELLP syndrome had affected her growth as well.
I laid there in the worst pain ever fighting for my life, all the while I couldn't see or hold my newly born daughter. I didn't get to meet her until she was 3 days old. It was a terrible nightmare that I couldn't wake from.
Despite my life being touch and go for a few days I fought with every fiber of my being to stay alive because I knew I had to be there for my son and daughter. And through the pain and suffering I never gave up and pulled through. I witnessed a miracle because both baby girl's and my lives were saved.
As time went on I battled post partum depression and stayed sick for a while. But one day I decided to take back control over my life and started weight training and exercising and became strong and healthy. I took control over my life and reclaimed my power!
I worked side by side with my husband to try and pull ourselves out of the financial debt that accured from all of the unforsen events that took place.
And things finally seemed to be looking good for my family. We could see the light at the end of the tunnel...
Then 5 days before my daughter turned 2 years old, I got the results that I have malignant breast cancer.
I can't even put into words the kind of sadness and fear I have been feeling but at the same time I'm wondering why? Why me again? I was told that my case of HELLP syndrome was very rare, but I fought it off. Then at the age of 31 to be diagnosed with Stage II aggressive breast cancer. I do not have the capacity to even begin t understand why.
Since finding out, I have tried to hold it all together. I worry about everyone around me. I worry for my children. I don't want them to grow up motherless, AND THEY WILL NOT! I worry for my husband because he is taking on all this stress on his shoulders.
I don't want to be a burden to those around me. Its very difficult for me to ask for help, but I can't pretend that I can do this alone. I know I have God by my side every step of the way, no doubt about that, but we're struggling. It is very hard to put my pride to the side and admit that we're in trouble. The reduction in the hours I can work combined with the copays of the never ending appointments with specialists, medications, and the out of pocket costs of the port-a-cath surgery (after insurance pays their portion) we're starting to drown again. Money that was budgeted for food had to go to pay for medical. Thank goodness for friends and family.
I know life isn't fair but I just don't understand how someone can be dealt so much and so often. But that's okay. I'm going to keep laughing, keep smiling, and keep fighting because that's who I am. I will give this battle against cancer every ounce of my being because I will be there to mother my children. I will be there to be by my husband's side raising out children together. I will be there for my friends. And despite whatever life tries throwing my way, I know God has me, and I will not change who I am. Because I truly do set out to be a kind and caring person. I try to always do the right thing, and I try to help whenever possible.
I don't know how the financial part of things will work out, but what I do know is that any help right now would be a huge help. If you have the means and am not completely appalled that I'm even asking for help, then I would truly appreciate any help while I fight through yet another life threatening disease.
I have been diagnosed with stage II aggressive breast cancer with a grade 3 tumor at the age of 31 years old. I found out that I had malignant breast cancer 5 days before my daughter turned 2 years old. I don't understand why, or how these things keep happening to me, but the one thing I do know is I'm a fighter and I DO NOT GIVE UP!
In August of 2014 my daughter was delivered 6 weeks prematurely to save both of our lives. I had developed a terrible case of HELLP syndrome and severe preeclampsia. By the time it was discovered I was in critical condition. My kidneys were only functioning at 5%, my liver was failing and my blood platelet count was plummeting. My blood pressure was scary high and I had pulmonary edema. It was such a shock to find out I was so close to dying. Then when my daughter was born at 3lbs 4oz I only got to catch a glimpse of her before they rushed her to the NICU because it was apparent the HELLP syndrome had affected her growth as well.
I laid there in the worst pain ever fighting for my life, all the while I couldn't see or hold my newly born daughter. I didn't get to meet her until she was 3 days old. It was a terrible nightmare that I couldn't wake from.
Despite my life being touch and go for a few days I fought with every fiber of my being to stay alive because I knew I had to be there for my son and daughter. And through the pain and suffering I never gave up and pulled through. I witnessed a miracle because both baby girl's and my lives were saved.
As time went on I battled post partum depression and stayed sick for a while. But one day I decided to take back control over my life and started weight training and exercising and became strong and healthy. I took control over my life and reclaimed my power!
I worked side by side with my husband to try and pull ourselves out of the financial debt that accured from all of the unforsen events that took place.
And things finally seemed to be looking good for my family. We could see the light at the end of the tunnel...
Then 5 days before my daughter turned 2 years old, I got the results that I have malignant breast cancer.
I can't even put into words the kind of sadness and fear I have been feeling but at the same time I'm wondering why? Why me again? I was told that my case of HELLP syndrome was very rare, but I fought it off. Then at the age of 31 to be diagnosed with Stage II aggressive breast cancer. I do not have the capacity to even begin t understand why.
Since finding out, I have tried to hold it all together. I worry about everyone around me. I worry for my children. I don't want them to grow up motherless, AND THEY WILL NOT! I worry for my husband because he is taking on all this stress on his shoulders.
I don't want to be a burden to those around me. Its very difficult for me to ask for help, but I can't pretend that I can do this alone. I know I have God by my side every step of the way, no doubt about that, but we're struggling. It is very hard to put my pride to the side and admit that we're in trouble. The reduction in the hours I can work combined with the copays of the never ending appointments with specialists, medications, and the out of pocket costs of the port-a-cath surgery (after insurance pays their portion) we're starting to drown again. Money that was budgeted for food had to go to pay for medical. Thank goodness for friends and family.
I know life isn't fair but I just don't understand how someone can be dealt so much and so often. But that's okay. I'm going to keep laughing, keep smiling, and keep fighting because that's who I am. I will give this battle against cancer every ounce of my being because I will be there to mother my children. I will be there to be by my husband's side raising out children together. I will be there for my friends. And despite whatever life tries throwing my way, I know God has me, and I will not change who I am. Because I truly do set out to be a kind and caring person. I try to always do the right thing, and I try to help whenever possible.
I don't know how the financial part of things will work out, but what I do know is that any help right now would be a huge help. If you have the means and am not completely appalled that I'm even asking for help, then I would truly appreciate any help while I fight through yet another life threatening disease.