Help Melissa Battle Stage 4 Ovarian and Uterine Cancer

My Name is Melissa, I'm 47, and I’m ready to share my Cancer Journey as I didn’t expect the unexpected.

On April 8, 2024, I went to my primary care provider because I had been spotting for three weeks (it's been 17 years since my last period). My doctor performed a pap smear, and within three days, the results came back abnormal. I was quickly referred to an OBGYN, who performed a biopsy on April 24, 2024.

On April 29, 2024, I got the call—they found cancer, but didn’t yet know the type or stage. I was referred to an oncologist, and my appointment was scheduled for May 6, 2024. The oncologist informed me I needed a hysterectomy, but wouldn’t know if it would be partial or total until surgery.

On May 14, 2024, I had surgery. During the procedure, they discovered that the cancer had spread throughout my abdominal area—stomach, bladder, colon, near my liver, and more. The surgeon removed what he could and performed a total hysterectomy. A biopsy revealed the complete diagnosis: Stage 4 ovarian and uterine cancer—yes, two cancers. My cancer is very aggressive. Meaning it can spread very quickly.

Two weeks after surgery, I started chemotherapy on May 30th, 2024. Soon after, I began wearing adult diapers because I couldn’t control my urine. I thought this was due to the surgery, especially since the cancer had been near my bladder.

But five weeks later, after I had my hysterectomy surgery, I was hospitalized with a severe UTI and kidney infection. That’s when they discovered I had a hole in my left ureter and a blockage on the right. These are the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder. Because of the hole, I had unknowingly been leaking urine through my vagina. On June 24, 2024, I underwent another surgery to repair it.

I continued chemotherapy until October 14, 2024—my final treatment—and officially entered remission that day. Mind you, this is not including the radiation treatments I underwent for 2 months every single day.

Around this time, I also learned I carry the BRCA2 gene mutation, which puts me at high risk for developing breast cancer. So on August 11, 2025, I will undergo surgery for a double mastectomy with breast reconstruction. Meaning I will be getting both breasts removed and reconstruction.

Then came another unexpected blow. On April 30, 2025, I had my gallbladder removed, and during surgery, the doctor saw something suspicious. He informed my oncologist. On May 5, 2025, I was told that it looked like the same cancer had returned, this time near my diaphragm, in my right lung. This is in between my liver and lungs

Additional testing was ordered. On May 19, 2025, it was confirmed—the cancer is back. Stage 4 ovarian and uterine cancer, once again, is hiding and now starting to spread.

So here I am, preparing to go through chemotherapy again—almost exactly one year from the day I was first diagnosed.

My Second Journey Begins

On May 27, 2025, I begin my second round of chemotherapy. This will be a 6-month treatment plan, and I’m staying hopeful and strong, determined to reach remission once again.

As my journey continues, I’ll do my best to keep you all updated. Just like last time, I plan to keep working as much as I can during treatment. But there will be days I’ll need to call off due to side effects like exhaustion, nausea, doctor’s appointments, chemo, and ongoing testing.

Because of this, my work hours will fluctuate, and my paychecks will be shorter than usual. Even though I technically work full-time, the reality of balancing work and cancer treatment means I often can’t be there full-time.

I’m reaching out because I need a bit of help with medical bills, medications, and everyday expenses—just to stay afloat while I focus on healing and beating round 2 of this cancer.

If you can support or even share my story, it would mean the world to me. Thank you for walking beside me, lifting me up, and believing in me during this fight. Your love and support make all the difference.

I wanted to put my story out there as maybe this can relate to another cancer survivor or someone battling the same cancer I am, as we are not alone in this, and educate women to get their yearly check-ups, as there are no forewarning signs or symptoms of this kind of cancer.