Battling Breast Cancer: My Grandmother's Story

My grandmother has been cancer-free for 15 years—but not a day goes by that she doesn’t wonder where it went, and if it will ever come back.

“It still plays on your mind,” she said. “It doesn’t matter—every time something happens, you think, ‘Where is it now? Where did that cancer go?’”

Kathleen Melia is as “stubborn and Irish” as her children, all who helped her to keep going, keep moving, and keep getting better during her fight with breast cancer in 1996.

During a regular mammogram appointment, technicians found a mass the shape of a hand—the cancer had a nucleus with outer edges that spread out.

Suddenly, a family history of breast cancer was revealed to her as her father, my Grandpap Tom, told her his own sister, her Aunt Betty, died of breast cancer.

“I never knew anyone in the family had it until I had it,” she said.

Her mother’s sister also had fought breast cancer as well and survived. And her own mother’s illness was never discussed before she died.

“They didn’t talk about that stuff,” she said. “You never discussed anything personal and female and stuff like that.”

My grandma wonders if it was breast cancer to this day.

“I called my sister and asked her if she had ever had a mammogram,” she said. “She said, ‘No—never,’ and I told her, ‘I think you should.’”

Her sister was diagnosed with breast cancer after that appointment—the same year she fought her own battle.

After being diagnosed, my grandmother had a mastectomy. All of her children were there, along with my grandfather.

“In two days they took me home, and that’s when the big adventure started,” she said. “It was quite a traumatic family experience—not just for me, for everyone.”

After four days home, the surgeon called and said none of the lymph nodes were invaded. They took 26 out, tested them and found the cancer did not travel anywhere else. She did not need chemotherapy.

“I was very blessed that they found it, took care of it, and I had such family support,” she said. “After that, I got better.”

Still, the anxiety remains.

“Every time I have a mammogram, you worry,” she said. “Then when they tell you it’s OK, you have another year under your belt—but it’s always there.”

Life goes on, she said, and now at 70, she’s ready to retire Dec. 31 from a job managing a local Hallmark store.

“After 15 years, I am hoping that I will get old someday—never grey, just old.”

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I was 12 years old when my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. I remember my mom talking on the phone behind a closed door, I remember hearing her crying and hearing the words, “breast cancer,” and knew what was happening, but I don’t think I fully understood.

Over the years, my grandma has discussed the simple importance of talking about breast cancer—of knowing your family history and being aware. Through learning more about her own journey and that of  Nakamura,  Carter, and countless others out there, I am amazed by the strength, grace and courage of these women as they take on a struggle they never asked for, never wanted and never deserved.

I am moved by their resilience as they prove that anyone can get through anything in life. Anyone can rise above the biggest challenge, even when your own body betrays you.

In my own life, I will be aware, I will do my self-exams, and I will always remember these women who have been so willing to share their own stories, hoping to help another.

For resources and more information, contact the Pittsburgh Affiliate in Regent Square.