02/24/2026
Wow 🤩
A longtime surgical tech, Melissa Hill, who once cared for heart surgery patients, was diagnosed with cancer.
Melissa, a CVOR tech at Lexington Medical Center, said: “I’ve been here seven years. I’ve been doing hearts for almost about 20 years now.” She learned of her stage one, HER2 non-aggressive breast cancer diagnosis in June 2023. Instantly, her mind went to her kids and family amid the overwhelming uncertainty.
Treatment brought chemotherapy, the most challenging, causing days of weakness and a point where she lost hope and told her husband she didn’t want to go back, and radiation. Her children's faces gave her the fight to continue. Support flowed from co-workers' weekly cards, her church family's prayers, and community love.
She accepted hair loss with new wisdom: “Hair is just hair. You’re here. I can grow hair back, but I couldn’t get my life back.” The experience grew her compassion, grace, understanding, and patience toward patients.
Today cancer-free, she encourages: “Make sure you get your mammograms. That’s what saved me.” “It’s hard, but you will get through. You gotta keep pushing, keep fighting. I’m a living witness. I’m here today.” Congratulations, Melissa!
(Photo: Melissa Hill)
