Mona’s Miracles
“I always live in the moment. I never feel sorry for myself. I don’t let the disease take me. It’s scary. But I’ve never let myself slide into that negative space. I just never go there.”
Mona Melms is a warrior and the enemy is cancer.
Her opponent knows, she doesn’t give up easily.
In fact, she seems to just get tougher no matter what hand she is dealt. I believe cancer doesn’t stand a chance against her. Mona has a higher purpose. She has a way about her. I can’t put my finger on it. She’s so easy to bond with, you can’t help being drawn to her.
As Mona rested on her couch, wrapped in a blanket, trying to keep warm on a blustery winter day, she spoke frankly about facing her fears head-on. She was colder than normal, due to the recent chemotherapy treatment. She was anxiously awaiting the results from her CT scan to see if the chemo was working.
Mona knows the drill all too well. She is battling cancer for the third time in her life. This time, the diagnosis is stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
Despite all the health challenges Mona has faced, she has a positive outlook. I asked her where she gets her strength from.
“From the people in my life. My cup just gets filled up. Before my most recent diagnosis, I was still working in the COVID clinic daily, which was scary. It helps remind you that every day is a gift.”
Mona is on leave from her job as an urgent care nurse in Madison, to devote time to a rematch with cancer. The battle plan includes an aggressive course of chemotherapy to shrink the tumor doctors found on her pancreas in a routine check-up with her oncologist, in October of 2020.
Mona said she and her family were shocked at the news.
“We couldn’t believe it was happening again!”
Mona was first diagnosed with stage 3-4 breast cancer at age 30, in 1992. She had found a small lump in the shower and immediately knew something was wrong. The young mother of two girls who were 2 and 4 years old at the time, was told the odds were against her. But she wasn’t going to give up that easily. She underwent a series of medical trials, chemo, and a lumpectomy. She defied the odds and won the battle. Her prayers were answered with her first miracle.
For the 25 years that followed, Mona lived cancer-free, raising her family with her husband Tom, working as a nurse, even opening her own fitness studio, Melt, in downtown Madison.
When she wasn’t caring for patients at the clinic, she was busy teaching at the studio. Life was good and her business was thriving. Expansion plans were underway in 2017 to allow more space to teach a new method of training she discovered, called Yamuna.
Life was interrupted. The cancer came back. This time it was the other breast and just as bad as before-stage 3/4. The prognosis was grim. Mona had slayed this beast before and she was ready to do it again. Doctors developed an aggressive treatment plan that included chemo, radiation, and a mastectomy. Mona stunned the scientists once again. The cancer was gone. Her prayers were answered with a second miracle.
During that second bout with cancer, Mona still managed to expand her business and launch her sister studio, Mona Method, which is how she and I connected. I was searching for a safe group exercise class I could do after surgery and my physical therapist recommended Mona.
The moment I walked into her studio, we clicked and became friends. The Yamuna method worked wonders on healing my joints and I thought of her as my angel instructor! Turns, out, I’m not the only one.
I had no idea about her medical history, until I saw her on the runway at Wine Women and Shoes, a cancer charity event. She was one of the models, introduced as a two-time cancer survivor. That’s when I realized, God has big plans for Mona. She was living her best life, following her passion and healing others.
Then, COVID turned the world upside down. Like most of us, Mona adapted to the “new normal.” She managed to balance her days between treating patients in the COVID clinic and teaching class virtually on her days off. She missed seeing her clients in person but found silver linings amidst the pandemic. Old clients who are now living out of state and even abroad reconnected and signed up for class.
She and Tom welcomed another grandchild. A vaccine was in the works and things were looking up for small businesses like hers in the months ahead. Just as Mona was counting her blessings and feeling optimistic, she was dealt an unexpected blow.
It was October 13th, 2020 when she typed the email to family and friends, fighting back tears with each keystroke.
“Life interrupted-again.”
She shared the devastating news from her oncologist in her regular checkup. They discovered a mass on her pancreas, which had nothing to do with her breast cancer, it was due to genetics. A gene that was passed on from her grandmother put her at a disadvantage and was to blame. The doctors told her it was stage 4-terminal cancer. She needed another miracle.
“As I’ve said before, I told them, “I’m not giving up that easily!”
Family and friends have been rallying around Mona ever since. A Caring Bridge site from 2017 has been reactivated, so everyone can follow her journey. She’s continuing to teach, when she’s up to it, between chemo treatments, via Zoom-which also has a direct feed to her chemo room, so friends can support her virtually.
A champion for cancer research, she recently raised $2,500 for the cause, by collecting donations from clients, rather than having them pay dues for a month.
Sharing Mona’s story through social media, friends helped connect her doctor with a world-renowned specialist from Johns Hopkins. The two physicians collaborated on her case and agreed on the same course of treatment-12 chemotherapy sessions, which she started immediately. But it wasn’t easy for her to scale back her rigorous schedule.
“My ideal day is teaching, training and going to the clinic for a shift, typically a 15 hour day. My doctor says, you’re a rock star, but you need to take a step back, slow down!”
Mona has an army of family, friends, patients and clients supporting her and praying she gets another miracle and beats this cancer.
“People are holding me. Lifting me up. It’s hard for me to ask for help. But now, I will accept it.”
Shortly after our first interview before Christmas, as I was typing up this story, one of Mona’s friends posted good news on her Caring Bridge page. I got goosebumps as I read the message:
“Mona’s Miraculous Update: The results of yesterday’s test show the chemo is working! The tumor is shrinking!”
Mona celebrated with sparkling grape juice in the chemo Zoom room the next day. It was encouraging news, but she knew the battle was far from over. Her final chemo session isn’t until April 1st.
This month, as she approached the halfway point of her treatment, she wasn’t feeling as optimistic, as she shared in a heartfelt message:
“I’m not feeling particularly resilient today. There is a crack in my resolve. Can we be scared and strong? I am. Can we be resilient and struggle? I do. Doesn’t courage require a bit of fear? It does. Today I’m giving myself permission to let my emotions flow so that perhaps I can see things in a different light.”
“What really counts? Love, laughter, family and friendship. Thanks to each and every one of you who are walking along beside me.—Love, Mona.”
Keep your prayers coming.
I told Mona, I have faith in her and fully expect to see her walking down the runway at the next Wine, Women and Shoes, introduced as a three-time cancer survivor. Miracles do happen. Mona is living proof.
Connect with Mona or follow her journey on Caring Bridge to find out how you can help support her and others in the fight against cancer. Donate in her name to UW Carbone Cancer Center Greatest Need Fund by using the GIFT OPTION.
Join a class at one of her studios virtually or in-person.
(open at reduced capacity)
Feeling inspired by Mona’s story, the way she faces fear and asks powerful questions? Why not journal it? Click here for my reflection piece and journal prompts on facing fears.
Get the pumpkin muffin recipe Mona insisted on having after I made a batch for her recently. Click here for the gluten-free recipe that will fool everyone into thinking they are eating pumpkin doughnut holes!