Michele Vitale's Fight Against Breast Cancer
Donation protected
My friend, co-worker and avid believer in Christ, Michele Vitale was diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer September 23, 2019 at the age of 39. Specifically, the diagnosis is both (DCIS) ductal carcinoma in situ and (IDC) invasive ductal carcinoma. As most of you know, she will be having a bilateral mastectomy and begin the breast reconstruction process on November 6, 2019. She will learn more about a treatment plan after the sentinel lymph node and tumors are examined. However, she is declaring cancer-free post-surgery in the name of Jesus.
Michele will be out of work for at least 6-8 weeks, if not longer. Unfortunately, Michele is only eligible for partial pay during this time and she will still have to be responsible to cover her family's health insurance.
Michele will have many medical bills during this time and the lack of income shouldn't become a burden to anyone during this difficult time. Please contribute and share her story with those you know. The more people we reach with her story, the more lives can be saved.
Age 37, Michele complained of left breast pain resulting in her first mammogram and breast ultrasound. She was instructed to repeat the mammogram/breast ultrasound every six months specifically to keep an eye on right breast calcifications noted in the report. Six months later, not much change to the breasts or the pain. Fast forward one year to September 9th, 2019 when the left breast pain was so great that she returned for another mammogram/breast ultrasound. Only this time the calcifications in the right breast were now in two separate clusters showing patterns of early stages of breast cancer. Even today, tests including an MRI show the left breast is clear. Also, the intense left breast pain has subsided. There were no lumps to feel and her doctors told her frankly whatever this left breast pain she was feeling is the blessing in learning her diagnosis. While it’s invasive and the MRI did reveal the lymph node appears to be affected, if she had an earlier mammogram there is a good chance this may have been missed due to the tiny size of these calcifications. If there were ever a perfect time to be diagnosed with cancer, this was it!
Michele is very candid in general, especially in talking about her journey. From the very moment she was diagnosed she shared with everyone to build her prayer warriors and share God’s goodness and how only He could have orchestrated every detail leading up to her diagnosis. While it could very easily become overwhelming to someone learning of the big C, her positive attitude and trust in the Lord has carried her through and His light shines through her.
Michele wasn't eligible yet for free mammograms because the minimum age is 40. Yet as they always say, early detection is key!
Thank God Michele listened to her body, her instincts, and relied on her faith. She was able catch this early and we are all praying for her recovery!
Anyone who knows Michele knows she is not one to ever ask for help and will usually deny anyone that offers. This time she has agreed to let us help her and her family! She already has food deliveries coming, so this would strictly be to help her, Jon and Mason financially while she is in recovery.
Thank you for your support! The friends, family and co-workers that have reached out wanting to help, has been so overwhelming. She's the strongest believer and most positive person I know. Even with all the obstacles, she finds solace in her faith. So let's show her the love and care she needs during this difficult time for her and her family.
We will update you all as often as possible with her recovery process.
Michele will be out of work for at least 6-8 weeks, if not longer. Unfortunately, Michele is only eligible for partial pay during this time and she will still have to be responsible to cover her family's health insurance.
Michele will have many medical bills during this time and the lack of income shouldn't become a burden to anyone during this difficult time. Please contribute and share her story with those you know. The more people we reach with her story, the more lives can be saved.
Age 37, Michele complained of left breast pain resulting in her first mammogram and breast ultrasound. She was instructed to repeat the mammogram/breast ultrasound every six months specifically to keep an eye on right breast calcifications noted in the report. Six months later, not much change to the breasts or the pain. Fast forward one year to September 9th, 2019 when the left breast pain was so great that she returned for another mammogram/breast ultrasound. Only this time the calcifications in the right breast were now in two separate clusters showing patterns of early stages of breast cancer. Even today, tests including an MRI show the left breast is clear. Also, the intense left breast pain has subsided. There were no lumps to feel and her doctors told her frankly whatever this left breast pain she was feeling is the blessing in learning her diagnosis. While it’s invasive and the MRI did reveal the lymph node appears to be affected, if she had an earlier mammogram there is a good chance this may have been missed due to the tiny size of these calcifications. If there were ever a perfect time to be diagnosed with cancer, this was it!
Michele is very candid in general, especially in talking about her journey. From the very moment she was diagnosed she shared with everyone to build her prayer warriors and share God’s goodness and how only He could have orchestrated every detail leading up to her diagnosis. While it could very easily become overwhelming to someone learning of the big C, her positive attitude and trust in the Lord has carried her through and His light shines through her.
Michele wasn't eligible yet for free mammograms because the minimum age is 40. Yet as they always say, early detection is key!
Thank God Michele listened to her body, her instincts, and relied on her faith. She was able catch this early and we are all praying for her recovery!
Anyone who knows Michele knows she is not one to ever ask for help and will usually deny anyone that offers. This time she has agreed to let us help her and her family! She already has food deliveries coming, so this would strictly be to help her, Jon and Mason financially while she is in recovery.
Thank you for your support! The friends, family and co-workers that have reached out wanting to help, has been so overwhelming. She's the strongest believer and most positive person I know. Even with all the obstacles, she finds solace in her faith. So let's show her the love and care she needs during this difficult time for her and her family.
We will update you all as often as possible with her recovery process.
Organizer and beneficiary
Michelle Watkins Ford
Organizer
Lake Mary, FL
Michele Vitale
Beneficiary
