I found out in April that I have stage 3 triple negative breast cancer. I was very scared, as anyone should be and this was my first long meeting of all meetings where I'll meet the nurse staff and the doctor team, the surgeon, and the oncologist. But one special lady was just so silly. Melanie walked in with her purple hair and her big smile and there was something about her that made me feel comfortable enough to tear up. I didn't realize at that moment that I was going to have Melanie by my side every day through the past seven treatments and for five more... This is something that has become so special to me when I'm wrapped up in her machine, and she's helping me sip from a little ginger ale or water and even feeding me crackers. She's always so attentive to the other nurses, helps out where she can, has a smile on her face, and works so hard to not get in the way, although she would never be in the way. As a teacher, I've always heard how teachers are the superheroes, but through my eyes, I've always felt like nurses are indeed the real superheroes! Melanie has been my superhero and when I noticed she didn't have a DAISY pin on her name tag, I thought, well how can this be? She's been my reason for feeling happy to come to chemotherapy. She's been the reason I felt inspired and strong enough to keep being a good mom. Seeing how much of a great mom she is inspires me to keep pushing and to be a better person. I'm a better person because I've met Melanie! All of your nurses have been so amazing and wonderful! I'm grateful to everyone at the cone Cancer Center.