Now in her late 40s and a resident of Mississauga, Melissa Collis-Grenier was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after her 39th birthday in April 2013 when her family doctor found a suspicious lump during her annual physical. The small nodule was diagnosed as HER2-positive breast cancer (high levels of the HER2 protein make the cancer cells grow and spread faster) along with abnormal cells in the milk ducts of her breast tissue.
Melissa says, “I went from being completely healthy, with no family history of breast cancer and no prior surgeries, to needing a mastectomy.” After surgery by Dr. Marianna Kapala at Trillium Health Partners (THP), pathology tests showed that Melissa would need more treatment. “I did all my chemotherapy and radiation at the hospital. The doctors and nurses are absolutely amazing!”
Melissa had wonderful support from her friends and family while undergoing treatment at THP. She also worked on her inner self by journaling, going to Wellspring, doing counselling, Reiki, meditation and visualization. “I learned to put less emphasis on my outer self and eventually got to a genuine place of gratitude and peace,” she says.
Over a period of about seven years she visited two plastic surgeons who were concerned about offering implant reconstruction due to her radiated skin. While upsetting, she let it go. “It just wasn’t meant to be,” she said at the time.
Things were going well until May 2021, when her yearly MRI showed a suspicious lesion in her other breast that brought back all Melissa’s fears and anxieties. However, she knew she would be in good hands when she returned to see Dr. Kapala, who referred her to THP’s Breast Diagnostic Assessment Program, which helps patients get answers as quickly as possible. Patient Navigator Kathryn Kim hurried Melissa’s biopsy through while supporting her during this very stressful process.
Thankfully, the “lesion” turned out to be dense breast tissue rather than cancer. THP had since expanded its Breast Reconstruction Program and Dr. Kapala now referred Melissa to a new plastic surgeon at the hospital, Dr. Adrian McArdle, who said she was a candidate for DIEP flap breast reconstruction. This complex procedure is performed using tissue from the patient’s abdomen to shape a new breast, including microsurgery to reattach blood vessels. “Once again, I received incredible care from the nurses and doctors at Trillium. Dr. McArdle is a magician, the surgery was life-altering and I feel whole again,” Melissa says.
Through her journey, Melissa became involved with Breast Cancer Canada, which made a $1,000 donation to Trillium Health Partners on her behalf, honouring the exceptional care she received. “I truly feel that everything happens for a reason. What an incredible journey, I feel beautiful on the inside and outside!”
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