In 2020, as the world grappled with a global pandemic, Melissa faced a personal battle of her own—a diagnosis of salivary gland cancer. At just 42 years old, with no history of tobacco or alcohol use, the news was shocking.
Despite persistent exhaustion, she brushed off the symptoms until a noticeable lump appeared on her neck, just below her left ear. At her husband’s urging, she finally saw a doctor in April 2020. But it wasn’t until July that she received an official diagnosis—carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma—a rare condition for someone like her.
Thankfully, my ENT kept pushing for more scans and biopsies. His persistence and intuition led to my diagnosis, Melissa recalled.
Her doctor admitted he had never encountered this type of cancer in someone like her before. If surgery and radiation didn’t work, she would have to seek treatment in Utah. Although they lived just three hours from the Utah border in southeast Idaho, the financial strain of additional travel on top of mounting medical bills was daunting.
Surgery confirmed the cancer, requiring a left parotidectomy.
Starting treatments was terrifying, especially because of the financial burden. Without insurance, we had to set up payment plans. Thankfully, I didn’t need chemotherapy.
Despite the uncertainty, Melissa had an unshakable gut feeling that everything would work out.
She underwent 30 rounds of radiation, finding comfort in listening to her favorite singer, Willie Nelson, during the sessions. With surgery, radiation, and the unwavering support of loved ones, she reached remission.
At the time, she and her husband had just started their own construction company. Being self-employed, they had invested everything into their business and didn’t have health insurance.
Figuring out how to pay for treatments turned out to be almost worse than the treatments themselves,” Melissa admitted. Between running the business and raising our four kids, it was overwhelming.
Yet, through it all, she found a silver lining.
Salivary gland cancer has been one of my greatest blessings, Melissa reflected. It taught me to appreciate life more, trust my instincts, live healthier, serve others, and cherish time. Most importantly, it taught me to share my story in hopes of helping others. Cancer doesn’t have to be a death sentence.
