Michele Dixon's Breast Cancer Recovery Journey

Real friends are the ones you can count on, no matter what. That is what Michele Dixon is to me: a real friend. We've seen each other through a lot in the 25 years we've known each other, from births and deaths to weddings and divorce. She's the one I know I can count on in any situation, even just a listening ear. So when she called on February 13th, 2023, and told me she had Breast Cancer, my heart broke.

Michele explained that she found the lump during a self-exam. The testing she had already gone through identified the cancer as invasive ductal carcinoma ER/PR+, Her2-. As this is the most common and least aggressive form of breast cancer, Michele believed in her doctors and felt strongly that her prognosis was good. At a time when she needed all my support, it was Michele who was reassuring me, telling me that she was strong and planned to be here for a long time.

On April 12th, 2023, Michele underwent a double mastectomy. This was a bit more invasive than the lumpectomy we previously had expected, but it offered a more thorough eradication of the tumor as well as any possible sites of cancer that may have not been detected on previous screenings. Her decision to proceed with the double mastectomy was made with the anticipation that she would not need to undergo chemo or radiation treatment. A plastic surgeon performed her reconstruction during the initial procedure with the hopes of minimizing her downtime and the side effects of multiple procedures. Pathology results returned on April 20th. They had found two additional sites in the same breast, but the lymph nodes, margins, and opposite breast were clear. They had gotten it all!

Or so we thought. Michele's recovery has been extremely challenging. Since that day in April, she has undergone a total of 7 surgical procedures. The first few resulted from the breast tissue becoming necrotic and wound dehiscence. Then, in July of 2023, she noted an area of her breast that didn't feel right. She stated it felt like a small BB under the skin, directly under her original biopsy site. Despite the surgical team's feeling it was nothing, Michele persisted with her concerns. An ultrasound was performed in October of 2023 and what was found was thought to be fat necrosis that may go away on its own. In early February 2024, a repeat ultrasound found the area of concern had grown quite a bit and the consensus was that it needed to be removed. On February 21, Michele had a lumpectomy. Just over a week later, the pathology reports indicated it was in fact the same cancer from a year ago. Yet, she remained optimistic.

Michele had to have two additional procedures to completely remove this cancer. Whether this was a recurrence of the original cancer or perhaps a remnant inadvertently left behind, she knew she was going to have to begin some form of treatment: chemo or radiation. Further testing ensued as preparation, including chest, abdominal, and pelvis CT scans and a full body bone scan. In mid-April, we received the news that she had lesions in her spine at T8 and L3. We all hoped this was unrelated, but on May 2nd, 2024, pathology reports confirmed metastatic carcinoma with immunohistochemical stains consistent with breast primary. The radiation that she fought so hard to avoid started on May 23rd. Michele completed ten sessions to her T8 vertebrae, ten sessions to L3, and a total of 20 sessions to the breast area. This came with additional side effects, including burns to her chest, severe esophagitis and costochondritis, making the simple act of eating/drinking nearly impossible. But she made it through and remained positive.

This journey has had many obstacles, but Michele has faced each one with courage and dignity. With the support of her three amazing kids, family, and friends, Michele has become a true warrior. Throughout this battle, she has maintained resilience. She continues to find joy in life, including becoming engaged to the love of her life, James. But this fight is far from over. She has follow-up visits, additional scans every 3 months, and a lifetime of hormone therapy. The medical costs are piling up. Insurance can only do so much.

Breast Cancer has touched each of us in some way. Before Michele, I watched my mother battle through it. I have raised money for BC-related causes like Susan G. Komen and A Mother's Wish. But now I'm asking for help with a cause so much closer to my heart. Please consider doing anything you can to help support Michele's medical costs. Help can be in the form of a donation, sponsorship during our upcoming bowling fundraiser, or contributions to the event. Michele's focus right now should be on healing, not on how to get through these payments. Thank you, and as Michele has frequently encouraged…Ladies – do your self-exams and get your mammograms! Gentlemen – encourage the ladies in your life to be proactive!