Melissa's "Kick Cancer's Ass" Fund
Donation protected
My name is Melissa. I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer on January 21, 2016.
My tumor was found via an Ultrasound that I had requested after reading an article on FB about the benefits of having ultrasounds v/s mammograms. The radiologist that was on site tried to talk me out of my U.S. and said that it was a waste of time and money as he explained how mammograms are so much better at detecting breast cancer. My mammo read as "negative". My U.S. read as a complex cyst with a recommended follow up in 6 months. My gynecologist has always been very thorough and wanted me to see a breast care/surgeon immediately and he thought it looked suspicious and even different from the recent prior U.S and so I had to have a biopsy performed. I received the great news 3 days later. Of course surgery to remove the mass was performed and now I am due to start chemo on Feb 22. (I have to wait for surgical scars to heal first)
I understand the nature of this beast. I am a Registered Nurse in a local trauma/emergency room. I have spent my whole nursing career taking care of people and trying to make a difference in someone else's life. I have held the hand of a dying geriatric patient from a nursing home that did not have family here, just so she wouldn't die alone. I have performed CPR on infants...I have witnessed horrific things that are forever burned in my mind. I have helped perform miracles on stroke and cardiac patients. I love my job, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I know my work on Earth is not done... Nor am I ready to quit. I have so much more to do... And so much hope left to give to families of their loved ones. Besides... I am not quite sure God is ready for me anyway.
Anyone that knows me... Knows that I am a survivor. I am a divorced single mother of 2 children that had to work night shift to take care of my family. They have since grown into adults.
Asking for help is probably the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I have always been very independentand never asked for help. Due to chemo, I am being removed from the job (the ER) that I love, due to my compromised immune system. My initial chemo will take 2 months. The full completion will take a year... And I will still need radiation. So I am not sure how the financial aspect of all of this will work out. I am still alone with no other means of support. You just don't think about this at the age of 49. But I have a great support system of friends.
Right now I am scared and overwhelmed with all of this.
Thank you in advance for all your support. I will post updates as this journey unfolds. My friends are having a head shaving party for me on March 11 so that I decide when to lose my hair. Cancer will not get to choose that day. I will be in control.
It is ass-kicking time!!!!!!
My tumor was found via an Ultrasound that I had requested after reading an article on FB about the benefits of having ultrasounds v/s mammograms. The radiologist that was on site tried to talk me out of my U.S. and said that it was a waste of time and money as he explained how mammograms are so much better at detecting breast cancer. My mammo read as "negative". My U.S. read as a complex cyst with a recommended follow up in 6 months. My gynecologist has always been very thorough and wanted me to see a breast care/surgeon immediately and he thought it looked suspicious and even different from the recent prior U.S and so I had to have a biopsy performed. I received the great news 3 days later. Of course surgery to remove the mass was performed and now I am due to start chemo on Feb 22. (I have to wait for surgical scars to heal first)
I understand the nature of this beast. I am a Registered Nurse in a local trauma/emergency room. I have spent my whole nursing career taking care of people and trying to make a difference in someone else's life. I have held the hand of a dying geriatric patient from a nursing home that did not have family here, just so she wouldn't die alone. I have performed CPR on infants...I have witnessed horrific things that are forever burned in my mind. I have helped perform miracles on stroke and cardiac patients. I love my job, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I know my work on Earth is not done... Nor am I ready to quit. I have so much more to do... And so much hope left to give to families of their loved ones. Besides... I am not quite sure God is ready for me anyway.
Anyone that knows me... Knows that I am a survivor. I am a divorced single mother of 2 children that had to work night shift to take care of my family. They have since grown into adults.
Asking for help is probably the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I have always been very independentand never asked for help. Due to chemo, I am being removed from the job (the ER) that I love, due to my compromised immune system. My initial chemo will take 2 months. The full completion will take a year... And I will still need radiation. So I am not sure how the financial aspect of all of this will work out. I am still alone with no other means of support. You just don't think about this at the age of 49. But I have a great support system of friends.
Right now I am scared and overwhelmed with all of this.
Thank you in advance for all your support. I will post updates as this journey unfolds. My friends are having a head shaving party for me on March 11 so that I decide when to lose my hair. Cancer will not get to choose that day. I will be in control.
It is ass-kicking time!!!!!!
Organizer
Melissa Bouldin
Organizer
Ft. Pierce, FL