Gilda’s Club Madison, our local Cancer Support Community, encourages our friends and neighbors to take the #GetScreened pledge and get regular cancer screenings.
Click here to take the pledge: https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/getscreened
Gilda’s Club’s CEO, Lannia Stenz, shared, “Many people in our community held off on getting routine cancer screening during the pandemic. Sadly, that means that people are often finding their cancer at a later stage. Gilda’s Club is here for people living with cancer at any stage but we strongly urge you to get those screenings. It’s incredibly important to catch cancer as early as possible.”
Gilda’s Club member, Melky, agrees. She shared her story with us.
My name is Melky Morales. I am married to my husband, Carlos, and have four beautiful children. I had been a stay-at-home mom for the last 10 years; I am an active woman who takes care of her kids by taking them to their extracurriculars and activities. I am also a Gilda’s Club member.
In 2020 I began experiencing abdominal pain and heavy bleeding. I went to the gynecologist and the doctor found cysts in the lining of my uterus. The doctor recommended a hysteroscopy, an invasive procedure that can take a tissue sample (biopsy) and can remove polyps or fibroid tumors. However, I was working at the time and I kept rescheduling the surgery. Most of the time, I felt exhausted. In October of 2021 I finally reached the point that I couldn’t deal with the severe pain. I completed the procedure and scheduled another meeting with the doctor to review the biopsy results.
At the age of 41 years old, I was diagnosed with Stage IIIC carcinosarcoma of the uterus.
My husband and I were terrified when we heard the news. We were uncertain how to share this news with our children. Because it was a high-grade aggressive uterine cancer that involved 50% muscle invasion and 1 pelvic lymph node metastasis, I was put on very intensive treatment plans that included six cycles of chemotherapy. I made lifestyle changes including diet and exercise, but I also worked on my personal development by reading devotionals and developing the power of reflection.
I am blessed to have a supportive system that helped my family cope with this situation. For the kids, Gilda’s Club made a big difference. They participated in many Gilda’s events both remotely and in-person that would help ease their minds away from this new reality. An increase of faith arose in the midst of this huge battle. We trained ourselves to grow closer in our relationship with God and knowing that all things God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28).
I am officially in remission as of March 2022! I strongly advise women to pause and listen to their bodies. If you feel any irregularity in your body, check in with your provider immediately.
Don’t delay. Take the #GetScreened pledge and schedule your regular cancer screenings. Early diagnosis and expedited treatment give people with a cancer diagnosis the best chance for successful treatment.
Click here to take the pledge: https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/getscreened
About Gilda’s Club
“Having cancer gave me membership in an elite club I’d rather not belong to.” – Gilda Radner
Gilda’s Club Madison offers a community of free emotional support, cancer education, and hope for children and adults with any cancer diagnosis and those who care for them. All support groups are professionally facilitated and all programs are offered free of charge to more than 4,000 people touched by cancer. Virtual programs are available. Visit www.gildasclubmadison.org to learn more.
