Special words of love from our Community

Breast Cancer Stories & Encouragement from the NKA Community

I didn’t have breast cancer, but my mom did, and I feel that my words of encouragement would work for those with any type of cancer. I have endometrial cancer of the uterus - carcinosarcoma cancer of the uterus. My purpose for survival and how I’m getting through this is wanting to see my 1-year-old nephew graduate high school, wanting to watch my husband’s 3 boys get married and have families of their own, watching my husband enjoy his kids and grandkids, and putting my 100% trust in God. I am growing stronger in my faith to God. The amazing support of my loved ones gives me hope to keep going.

- Jessica

July 5, 2002 - I will never forget the day that I was diagnosed with breast cancer. When I went for a biopsy, I was so certain that it would be negative and when the doctor came back and said “positive”, everything was a blur in my mind. I remember thinking, ‘this can’t be right; I am a healthy person; I can’t have cancer’. Immediately, appointments were scheduled for me to learn about the options of oncology and radiation. I soon realized that, indeed, the diagnosis was correct, and I would be facing treatments that would drain my energy, take my hair, and control my life for the next year. I was referred to a wonderful doctor who calmed my fears and walked me through one of the toughest times I have lived through. I, then, was overcome with a peace that everything would be ok. My Christian faith, wonderful husband and family, great doctors, and the development through research of healing treatments carried me through. Now I am still here for my faith and family and to encourage others who now have cancer to trust in the Lord and the wonderful doctors and treatments that are being discovered daily. Hope will carry you through.

- Pam

My name is Melissa Campbell. In December of 2003, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had just moved to Dallas in 2001. My family lives in Indiana, so as I went through the chemotherapy and radiation, I had no family around. This didn’t mean I didn’t have support (yay, Sunday School class)! I am grateful for the lessons of strength this experience taught me. One important gift was my husband. He had a brain tumor. We had 10 1/2 years that I wouldn’t trade for anything. Another important thing: I am legally blind. Now I am living my best life. I am dating and hanging out with my friends on the weekends. I have gone to concerts. So, if I can do that after the treatments, there is hope for y’all too.

Melissa Mancha Campbell

When people ask me who my hero is, there’s no question in my mind. It’s my mom. My mother is a 20+ year breast cancer survivor. She’s a fighter - a warrior. I’ll never forget standing in the hospital room next to my dad that day and hearing the doctor tell my mother that the lump he just removed from her breast was cancerous. I think I took it harder than she did. I broke down and had to leave the room. To me, at that moment those words meant I was going to lose my mom, and as a 22-year old college student, I was not ready for that - I don’t think anyone ever can be. My mom’s reaction was quite different from mine. She was calm and asking questions about treatment. I think she knew at that moment that she was going to fight and win. It wasn’t an easy fight: the treatments were very hard on her, but she fought through it. She knew she had a family to live for, including 2 amazing grandsons that were 2 years and 6 months old. She pushed through it and fought through the pain every day, staying strong for her family. She was able to witness the birth of her third grandson, the oldest two graduating high school, joining the military, and starting college. She was there for me when I graduated from college and, again, when I decided to go back to school and graduate with a second degree. There’s not a doubt in my mind that she will be here for a long time and witness many more milestones. My mom’s battle with cancer changed me in a lot of ways. It taught me how strong she was, and that I too have that strength inside of me. It made me stronger in my faith. It taught me to live for the moment because you never know when that moment will be taken away from you. It taught me to never take my loved ones for granted, and to tell them every single day about how much I care about them. If you are currently battling cancer, please know that you are not alone. Stay strong and fight. You can beat this. Cancer will not win.

- DJ Jenny