Melissa's Story
Melissa and Her Family Welcoming New Life After Beating the Odds
In 2011, at just 30 years old, Melissa received a diagnosis that would change her life. She had a solid pseudo-papillary mass, a rare form of pancreatic tumour. "I thought the symptoms were just stress from my divorce," Melissa recalls, reflecting on her back pain and morning nausea, which she had attributed to life's challenges at the time.
As a single mother to two young children at the time, she had no idea that the dull pain and nausea were signals of something far more serious. "It wasn’t until I went to the hospital and they found a mass that it all became real," she says. The news was a shock, but what followed was a story of survival that defied the odds.
Melissa underwent an 11-hour Whipple procedure and did not require chemotherapy or radiation. She describes this time with gratitude: "I was lucky. The tumour's location meant that if it had been any other type, I might have had only two and a half weeks to live." That realisation still sits with her, a constant reminder of how fragile life can be. "It’s hard to process sometimes, knowing I’m one of the lucky ones," she admits.
What makes Melissa’s story even more extraordinary is that during this tumultuous time, she was pregnant with her son, though she didn’t realise it until after the surgery. Now, she is a proud mother of four children, a testament to the unexpected twists life can take.
Although she didn't need further treatment, Melissa’s journey isn’t without ongoing challenges. The long-term effects of her surgery have led to complications with her pancreas, and she now lives with Type 2 diabetes. “They can’t really say what the long-term effects will be because of my age,” Melissa reflects. Yet, her focus remains on what lies ahead: "I just take it one day at a time, staying grateful for each day I get to spend with my family."
Melissa is passionate about raising awareness for pancreatic cancer research "Every time I hear of someone being diagnosed, I feel a sense of guilt. I know I’m in the minority," she says. But instead of letting this weigh her down, she channels her energy into advocacy, hoping that her story can inspire others and contribute to raising more awareness and funds.
Her advice to others is simple: "I hope my story can show you that there are people who survive pancreatic cancer, you shouldn’t give up. I hope that we can raise the survival rate.
And as of this year, Melissa is happy to say she is 13 years cancer-free and taking part in Remember September.
Melissa and her family
