Mellie’s Fight

Mellie’s Fight

Melinda

At age 45 my sister, my only sister, was diagnosed with a slow growing astrocytoma. She was a massage therapist and believed in all holistic treatments so she refused many medications that were recommended. She never let the diagnosis stop her from living life to the fullest. The day after Christmas 2012 we were told that her tumor had become a grade 4 glioblastoma. She was 51.

She never stopped living. She was the bravest, and strongest person I ever knew. She spent everyday doing something for somebody else and never let her brain tumor define who she was. My big sister was everybody’s big sister. I was in my last semester of nursing school when she moved in with me and asked me to help take care of her.

She wouldn’t let me drop out of school. She told me if I quit then she quits. It was very hard for me but I agreed and our fight began. She started oral chemo and radiation in January 2013 but by March near the end of her treatment we found out that it was not working for her. She stopped all treatment and she blessed people daily with her strength and sense of humor.

On May 11, 2013 I graduated from nursing school and on May 12, 2013, Mother’s Day, my sister left this world. We kept our promise to one another and for that I am forever grateful. I will fight to help any way I can to help find a cure for brain cancer. In memory of Melanie Lynn Holt 3/1/1961-5/12/2013.

Opinions expressed within this story belong solely to the author and do not reflect the views or opinions of the National Brain Tumor Society.