For Melissa Stockhoff, wife and mother to three small kids, life moves fast. She grew up in Idaho and made her way across the country before landing in Texas with her family.
But in 2015, at the age of 33, her world came to a stop. What started out as a suspicious lump in her left breast was soon diagnosed as Stage 3C breast cancer, and in 2017, Stage 4.
After being referred by the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, she now has a team of experts she can trust at the UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center who are committed to helping her move forward. Her oncologist, Virginia Kaklamani, M.D., has been an advocate for her along the way and works endlessly to ensure Melissa’s quality of life is the best it can be.
Today, Melissa feels great, stays active, cares for her three young children, and is able to be there for her family and friends when they need her. Although her journey has been long and ongoing, she finds strength in her family, faith and dedicated medical team.
To those diagnosed with breast cancer, Melissa reminds patients, “Don’t lose hope.”