Melanie's Breast Cancer Battle

 

This is our sweet Melanie. She is an incredible daughter, sister, granddaughter, aunt and friend. Though the role she cherishes the most in her life is Mother. Melanie is a 41 year old single mother to three beautiful children, Damon (21), Aaliyah (19) and Brooklyn (15) that all live with her and she supports on her own. They quite literally are her whole world.

 

On April 19th 2022 Melanie found out she has Stage 3 Triple negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). In just a few short weeks her world has changed dramatically.  Melanie’s oldest, Damon was also recently diagnosed with schizophrenia and she is his primary care giver. Her diagnosis of TNBC is very rare and affects about 13 in 100,000 women each year. It is unique because this cancer lacks receptors that drug therapies can target for treatment. This makes it harder to treat than other types of breast cancers. TNBC is considered an aggressive cancer because it grows quickly and is more likely to come back after treatments. This was very hard news for any of us to hear. BUT! Mel is a fighter! She is one of the strongest and most determined humans to walk this earth. Ask anyone that knows her :) She is very proactive in her research and pursuit of knowledge. She will leave no rock unturned! She is determined to match this aggressive cancer with an aggressive treatment plan along with her many doctors to live a long life with her sweet children.

 

Melanie's treatment will start right away with aggressive chemotherapy for a minimum of 4 months. Afterwards she will have a double Mastectomy and follow that with another round of Chemo and possibly Radiation. She has many procedures and appointments coming up and the funds from this will be used towards: medical costs, care costs, immunotherapy treatment that oncologists have strongly recommended (this will be self funded outside of insurance), any additional forms of healing and emotional support and really just to lighten the financial burden she has for her family. We have started this fundraiser with the hope to avoid the stress of these additional expenses on top of her rent and basic bills that will still have to be paid.

 

Support can come in many ways, and we are so very grateful for everyone's prayers, positivity and loving healing energy sent her way. She knows she has an army of support willing to help. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your part in lifting some of her burden.

 

We love You MelySue