Forget-U-Cancer

Melissa DePaolo is a 36-year-old Beacon, NY resident who is battling breast cancer. Her battle began in 2004 when, shortly after returning home from vacation, she discovered a lump in her right breast.

Melissa began chemotherapy treatments and underwent a single mastectomy on October 18, 2004. At the same time, doctors removed 27 lymph nodes, three of which contained cancer cells. Removing the lymph nodes also caused Melissa to suffer from lymph edema in her right arm.

Although earlier chemotherapy treatments had caused total hair loss, Melissa continued to work and go to school. She only stopped when the treatments made it absolutely impossible to continue. Even still, Melissa’s Masters Degree in Social Work was stolen from her when repeated breaks from school resulted in the expiration of her credit hours, just one year shy of graduation

Two years later, in 2006, a doctor discovered a lump in Melissa’s neck. In the summer of 2007, tests revealed the need to remove Melissa’s left breast.

In December of 2007, a bone scan revealed that the cancer had metastasized to bones in her spine, right leg, left shoulder, right ribs and pelvis. Melissa sought treatment at Sloan Kettering Hospital. She was then informed that she also needed to have her ovaries removed.

In May 2009, Melissa was forced to have a port surgically implanted in her chest so that treatments and medications could be administered more comfortably.

Until this point, Melissa will tell you that she felt no physical pain from the cancer. Of course there was pain from the treatments, and emotional pain beyond comprehension, but no physical pain. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case.

In July 2009, Melissa began experiencing numbness and pain in her jaw. An MRI revealed another tumor. This tumor is pressing on a nerve, now causing tremendous pain, and Melissa is now preparing for yet another round of radiation.

Most of us are where we are in our lives because of the choices we are able to make. We have decided whether or not to attend college, to marry, to have children, or to pursue a career. Melissa’s choices and path in life have been determined by this disease. This disease has forced her to watch from the sidelines as her friends have wed and started their own families. The true beauty of Melissa is that she is not resentful. She has always embraced the joys of others, and celebrated with her friends and family during their journeys.

Melissa is a courageous woman who has fought a battle most of us could never imagine. She remains positive and brings a smile to the face of all she encounters. You cannot tell by looking at her that she is sick. But the unfortunate truth is that she is very sick and she needs our help.

*** Note: All donations made to the Melissa DePaolo Foundation ARE NOT tax deductible. However they are all greatly appreciated. ***
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Melissa DePaolo is a 36-year-old Beacon, NY resident who is battling breast cancer. Her battle began in 2004 when, shortly after returning home from vacation, she discovered a lump in her right breast.

Melissa began chemotherapy treatments and underwent a single mastectomy on October 18, 2004. At the same time, doctors removed 27 lymph nodes, three of which contained cancer cells. Removing the lymph nodes also caused Melissa to suffer from lymph edema in her right arm.

Although earlier... (read more)