Stage 4 Cancer Story

‘I will not die from cancer:’ Michelle Mecca’s journey with breast cancer

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – Michelle Mecca – Search

Was a former bank loan officer turned champion bodybuilder when cancer changed her life in 2017.

Michelle Mecca, Stage 4 cancer patient; battling for 8 years with grit. Mother, wife, daughter. Michelle Mecca was given 12 to 18 months to live in 2021 when breast cancer spread to her brain.

“When I did my last competition, my last show — I had breast cancer and didn’t know it,” Mecca said. “I learned not only did I have breast cancer, but an aggressive form. It went from my breast to my lymph nodes in a matter of weeks.”

By the time I was diagnosed, I was stage 3.

Mecca had been keeping up with annual mammograms and living a healthy lifestyle with no risk factors.

“I was up on my mammograms. I did everything I was supposed to do. But I’m living proof that cancer does not discriminate,” she said.

Chemotherapy stripped away her strength and hair over four months, followed by radiation in a year-long treatment process.

After a year and a half of treatment, Mecca received another diagnosis in 2021.

“They told me the cancer had spread to my brain. They gave me twelve to eighteen months to live,” she said.

Four years have passed since that terminal diagnosis.

Mecca continues movement and exercise even during chemotherapy treatments.

“Any sort of movement helps you process chemo more efficiently. Sometimes you’ve got to try to outrun it — so that’s how I do it. I outrun the chemo… and I laugh,” she said.

She spends time outdoors in what she calls her meditation sanctuary and emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy.

“You’ve got to be your own advocate.

“One of the biggest reasons I’m still here is because I pushed. I asked questions. I didn’t settle for easy answers,” Mecca said.

Mecca visits her oncologist every three weeks and takes dozens of medications. Her husband serves as her caregiver.

“My husband is my caregiver… my biggest cheerleader, my biggest fan, my biggest source of support and humor,” she said.

When given the terminal diagnosis, Mecca said she realized there was more love she wanted to give.

“You cling to the people who love you, and you love them back. You take nothing for granted,” she said.

Mecca said her refusal to believe the cancer will return or kill her keeps her going.

“I will not die from cancer,” she said.

Michelle Mecca, married Scranton native Daniel Mecca in Jacksonville Beach, Florida in 2021.

Michelle was a successful commercial loan officer in Tallahassee, Florida when she was diagnosed with breast cancer eight years ago at the age of 42. Her specific cancer, Stage 3 HER 2 positive, is a very aggressive form of breast cancer. Four years ago the cancer spread to her brain and she is now considered to be at Stage 4.

Dan Mecca is a 1986 graduate of Bishop Hannan High School and a 1990 graduate of Marywood University. He worked for FOX56 in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre DMA Ironically Michelle had taken excellent care of her health for all of her and for their parent company for 20 years before continuing his broadcast career in Tallahassee. When he met Michelle in Florida she was cancer free for a year and half. Six months after the couple’s engagement, her breast cancer metastasized to her brain. Four days later they married in a private ceremony in Jacksonville Beach.

Ironically Michelle had taken excellent care of her health for all of her life. She was a bodybuilder, and had each of her mammograms on time. The only connection was a paternal grandmother who had breast cancer. At the time of her diagnosis, her sons were ages 11 and 15 and her stepson was age 10.

Michelle had experienced blood coming from her nipple and then, two weeks later, discovered a lump in her breast. She also had a golf ball size lump in her armpit, a sign that the cancer had spread very quickly to her lymph nodes.

By the time she had a surgical biopsy, the cancer had spread rapidly.

Michelle’s treatments included a double mastectomy, a skull biopsy (which turned out to be negative) , six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy which caused her to lose her hair. She also had an additional chemo for Her2 + cancer.

As her cancer had spread, a significant tumor in her brain was found. Her next set of procedures included a Gamma Knife treatment to her brain, more chemotherapy (four + years of the same chemo since re-diagnosis), Infusion Chemotherapy every three weeks, an awake craniotomy to diagnosis the swelling in her brain, more Gamma Knife radiation and physical therapy to learn how to walk again.

One fact Michelle wishes she knew before having cancer is how much fear is involved when facing treatment. “It is all so hard on the body,” she said. “I also had a big realization or discovery of the fact that you never know what someone is really, truly, going through.

Now being at Stage 4, I face fear of dying every day.

I was told four years ago that I would have only 12-18 more months.

I am now told it will come back–it is just a matter of time. Every day is different.

I used to be a bodybuilder so I was in the best shape of my life when I was initially diagnosed.

I have never stopped working out, even when going through chemo, with no hair, and even after a craniotomy. I am in the gym six days a week. My family is a huge support, but especially my husband Dan who is there every single moment to help me get through the horrible, scary moments that I frequently have.

My children also help to keep me positive because they fuel me with determination to continue fighting to stay alive. I joined a breast cancer support group that was amazing and gave me lots of care that I needed including transportation, emotional support and meals during recovery.

I would advise anyone who is diagnosed to not quit moving.

Walk or go to the gym; movement is so good to help with the chemo. Ask for help, talk to people who have been through it. Try not to be afraid. Most cancers can be treated and put in remission. Listen to your doctors, do everything they tell you to do. Do not substitute alternative care for medical care.

I would advise well-meaning friends and family to not mention terrifying stories or accounts of people who have died of cancer. Do not say ‘let me know if you need anything.’ Of course we need things, but we will not ask! You can clean their house, bring them flowers, make them laugh, send them gifts or give them rides. Give them things that will be useful or hopeful. Don’t wait for them to ask for it,” she advised.

Remember to get your mammograms.

The biggest piece of advice I can offer is to advocate for yourself! Do not be afraid to ask questions, push for quicker results and answers and seek second opinions. It is your body, and you are the only one responsible for it. Always fight for your health, and not just for life but for a good life.

Today, the couple lives in Chapin, South Carolina. Before each of her scans they visit the same chapel to pray.

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