Michele Sessoms is a registered nurse at the TidalHealth Surgery Center in Salisbury.
After a decade of routine mammograms, Sessoms visited her primary care physician to discuss changes she had noticed over the years. Her physician referred her to a local breast center for further evaluation.
Sessoms credits the breast center’s team for completing assessments that categorized her as high-risk, which required alternating mammograms and breast MRIs every six months.
Sessoms was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after her 42nd birthday. Her treatment spanned three years and included four surgeries, multiple infusion treatments, and HBT therapy.
At the time, only one of Sessoms’ family members had a history of breast cancer, but another family member was diagnosed after her own diagnosis. This reinforced her commitment to advocating for preventative screenings.
“Preventive screenings are the key to early detection,” Sessoms said. “If I had not already been in a high-risk category, my cancer might not have been detected until stage three. Because of my diagnosis and family history, both of my daughters were recommended to start mammogram screenings at age 25. The earlier healthcare providers have a baseline, the sooner they can detect any changes.”
With 30 years of healthcare experience and 24 years as a nurse who’s cared for breast cancer patients, Sessoms found the medical side of her treatment to be second nature. However, the psychological effects proved to be the most challenging and transformative. Sessoms stresses the importance of having a stable, strong support system to help lift patients through difficult times.
“As a nurse, I initially thought that once the surgeries and infusions slowed or stopped, the journey would be over. However, it is a journey I still walk every day,” Sessoms said. “From grief over the loss of body parts and related body image and mental health struggles, to fear of recurrence, my journey has been long. However, it has taught me that I am stronger than I ever gave myself credit for. I no longer take life for granted because you never know what is around the corner. Live life every day.”
You can make a difference
Help save lives in our community by supporting the Sheila Zimmer Breast Screenings Fund. Created in memory of Sheila Zimmer, a Salisbury native who bravely battled breast cancer twice after a lifetime of giving back to others, this fund helps provide access to life-saving breast screenings and care up to diagnosis for patients in need. Through this effort, Sheila’s legacy of compassion and generosity will continue to touch lives.
Visit the TidalHealth Foundation page to support and help continue Sheila’s legacy.
