Melody

Discover how breast cancer helped Melody to encourage others to face their fears...

Melody decided to take advantage of one of the Carol Milgard Breast Center’s subsidized screening events for underserved patients this year, an act that transformed her life.

“I’m so glad I went there,” she says. "It was an eye opening experience.”

Long Overdue for Her Mammogram

Melody knew it had been several years since her last mammogram and knew also that her family’s history of cancer — her paternal grandmother and aunt both died of breast cancer while close family members on both sides succumbed to other forms of cancer — meant that she was among the people who needed regular, perhaps more frequent cancer screening than most people. And she was long overdue.

Needed a Low-Cost Mammogram

As finances were tight, she researched where she might find a clinic offering low-cost mammograms in her area. She was astounded to learn that the Carol Milgard Breast Center offered financial assistance for people who don’t have insurance and/or can’t afford the exam.

Mammogram Screening Led to Early Diagnosis & Treatment

Melody’s decision to attend the screening event led to the early diagnosis and treatment of her breast cancer.

Following her diagnosis, conversations with her doctor and exhaustive personal research on the Internet persuaded Melody that she should have both breasts removed. Although her cancers were classified as non-invasive and therefore relatively low-risk, Melody says she also learned that they could evolve into more aggressive and dangerous forms.

Mastectomy Gave Her Best Shot at Preventing Cancer Recurrence

Because of her family’s history of lethal cancers, she determined that mastectomy would give her the best shot at preventing any future recurrences. “I just wanted never to have to deal with this again,” she says.

Experience Has Been Transformative

Melody completed her surgeries and breast reconstruction procedures this year.
She says while it has been overwhelming and often “nightmarish,” the experience has been transformative.

Months after her procedures, Melody’s follow-up tests show no signs of cancer. And she is looking toward the future. She says learning she had cancer revealed inner sources of strength she didn’t know she had. And she attributes much of her up-beat attitude and newly found activism to the compassionate support she received at the Carol Milgard Breast Center.

People at Carol Milgard Helped Me Realize How Strong I Am

“It was hard to be the positive one through all of this . . . to tell my mom and my partner that I had cancer ‘but please don’t worry.’ But I knew I had to be strong for them. And the people at Carol Milgard helped me realize how strong I really am. It’s been a true learning and growing process.

Helped Me to Encourage Others To Face Their Fears

And I have to say how wonderful every single person at the breast center was. Everyone I encountered was so caring and compassionate . . . and helped me through the fears I faced as I had my exams and biopsies. They helped me to become someone who can encourage others to face their worst fears.”