If one thing is certain in life, it's a surprise. By the age of 30 most people have had the opportunity to have a few wonderful surprises....a birthday party, a graduation party, a marriage proposal, or perhaps even the moment when you find out you are having a baby! Those are great surprises, and many more could be added to the list. On the flip side, life can also throw you surprises that do not make you so happy, and perhaps the worst to date for me is finding out my best friend of the last 15 years, Meladee, has Breast Cancer.
Now that's a surprise I can do without for the rest of my life!
Those of you reading this who know Meladee may know her as Meladee Burnham, and others of you know Meladee Kirton. Regardless of her last name, what we all know is that she is radiant, beautiful and has undoubtedly brought a smile to your face or tickled your heart. In 2002 Meladee married the love of her life, Roland, and in January of 2009 they joyfully welcomed the birth of their daughter Naomi. In April of 2010 they were excited to announce the arrival of their son, Seth.
After graduating with her Masters, Meladee quickly developed what I would call her own School of Music. She teaches children music from her home where she is also able to be with her children during the week. Meladee effortlessly devotes herself to her children, and more specifically to her oldest, Naomi. Meladee noticed a speech delay with Naomi at a very young age, and she was able to get an early diagnosis. Naomi has Childhood Apraxia of Speech, but they are fortunate Naomi's case is mild. Meladee's early intervention and tireless hardwork has been able to propel Naomi's delay, and therefore, she will no longer be limited by her diagnosis as she approaches school age.
As any Mom knows, you can quickly spread yourself thin, and in doing so, you put yourself last. Meladee had notice a knot in her breast which she attributed to a clogged milk duct, but had put it aside as she was so busy caring for her young family. Thinking more about it, she then figured it was just an adenoid she had developed while breastfeeding her youngest son. This same thing had happened in her other breast when she nursed her oldest. However, as time went on, she noticed that the "knot" was growing, and it had become more uncomfortable when she would sleep on her belly or hug someone. Finally, she knew she had to get it checked out. The opportunity came the week leading up to Thanksgiving. Meladee had her initial exam in the evening, and after analysis, the doctor had his nurse call to get Meladee into outpatient services at the hospital first thing the next morning. Outpatient services performed an ultrasound, and subsequent biopsy. Unfortunately, Meladee had to wait for the results until after the Holiday weekend. Finally the phone call came in Monday morning, it wasn't good news. Her lump was malignant. The doctor quickly told her the facts: it has been there for a while, so the cancer has probably spread and because of it's size, she is looking at a mastectomy, perhaps bilateral. The next week was full of meeting with cancer specialist, more biopsies, MRI's, and other body scans. The week of December 12th, Meladee, was fortunate to get into the Cleveland Clinic for further evaluation and advice.
Sitting here today, she knows this:- Her Breast Cancer is Level 1 (slow growth) which is good, but due to it's size, medical professionals believe it has been there for a while. It is big at 5.2x3x4cm with a bunch of satellite nodules.
- She is Stage III. Her cancer has spread to some of her lymph-nodes. PET scan shows it is not anywhere else.
- She has no genetic predisposition for this to have happened to her. The BRCA test was negative (genetic mutation). This is good news for her sisters and more so, her daughter.
- Her cancer is estrogen positive, progesterone positive, Her2nue* positive.
Because of this, and the size of her tumor (especially in relation to her current breast size), the course of action has been outlined as follows:
First: Chemotheraphy (approximately 5 months)Second: Mastectomy (they are still in discussion as to whether or not this will be just her right side or bilateral)
Third: Radiation
Fouth: Reconstruction
Fifth: Anti-Estrogen therapy for five years
*Her2Nue positive also means Meladee will receive Herceptin treatments every 3 weeks for a year.
Meladee's devotion to her family and church offers her strength any one of us could hope and pray for. She is courageous and tenacious, and with the support of family, friends, and all of you, she will fight this battle with all she has! Let Meladee's next surprise be a happy one. Let her hear from you! Leave her a note or word of encouragement on this blog (post a comment). Meladee will be following this blog, and she will look here to help her through this difficult road ahead! If you have more to say than just a comment, please message me as I would be love to post a story you have about Meladee for all to see. She has touched so many lives and made so many people happy! Please share her story and show your support!
Get Well Mel, We Love You!
