Surgical Tech Beats Breast Cancer, Returns to Saving Lives

For nearly 20 years, Melissa Hill has helped save lives as a cardiovascular operating room technician at Lexington Medical Center in South Carolina. But in June 2023, the woman who spent her career caring for others during their scariest moments faced her own terrifying diagnosis: stage one breast cancer.

"When you hear the word cancer, it was different for me," Hill said. Despite her medical background, the uncertainty overwhelmed her.

Hill underwent chemotherapy and radiation, describing chemo as the most challenging part of her journey. Some days, the physical toll left her too weak to get out of bed. By her third or fourth round of chemotherapy, she told her husband she didn't want to continue treatment.

Then she looked at her children and found her reason to fight. "What gave me hope is when I looked at my kids," Hill said. "I knew I had to keep fighting for my kids."

Her work family at the medical center rallied around her, sending weekly cards with messages of encouragement during treatment. Her church community lifted her up through constant prayer. The support carried her through the hardest days.

Losing her hair during treatment was difficult, but Hill's perspective shifted. "Hair is just hair. You're here," she realized. "I can grow hair back, but I couldn't get my life back."

Why This Inspires

Hill credits early detection with saving her life. Her routine mammogram caught the cancer at stage one, giving her the best chance at survival. Now she urges everyone to stay current with screenings, knowing that simple test made all the difference.

The experience transformed how Hill approaches her work and life. "After having breast cancer, you see a different perspective on life," she said. She brings deeper compassion, grace, understanding, and patience to every patient she cares for in the operating room.

Today, Hill is cancer-free and back doing what she loves: assisting with open heart surgeries and caring for patients facing their own medical challenges. She shares her story openly, hoping to encourage others walking through similar battles.

"It's hard, but you will get through," Hill tells other cancer patients. "You gotta keep pushing, keep fighting."

Hill calls herself a living witness to the power of early detection, family support, and determination.