Honorary Relay for Life Chair Michelle Miller will share her story at 2015 Relay

Michelle Miller of Medford is a wife, mother of three and friend to many. She’s also a survivor. 
Miller was diagnosed with cancer in Aug. 2013 and has been in remission (cancer-free) since Oct. 2013. This year, Miller is also one of two honorary chairs at the Steele County Relay for Life. The other honorary chair, Joe Plemel, could not be reached for comment at press time.
Last year, Miller attended the relay for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. “The support you feel there is amazing,” she said. “There are so many people that are encouraging you, supporting you and just being positive. It’s such a sense of community. To actually lead that survivor walk (and be a part of it) is a real honor for me, too. 
“My story is different from most people’s,” says Miller. Many people dealing with cancer undergo months (or years) of chemotherapy, radiation and other treatments. In comparison, Miller’s surgeries took place soon after the diagnosis, and she was officially in remission just a few months later. 
“I was just shaving underneath my arm one day, not even checking for anything, but I felt a lump,” Miller said. “I didn’t really think it was anything, but I worry a lot, and I thought I’d better get it checked out. When my daughter had a check up, I asked the doctor to take a look. That led to an ultrasound and biopsy… from there, things just progressed.” 
On Sept. 19, 2013, Miller had a lumpectomy (surgery to remove only the tumor and some surrounding tissue, as opposed to the entire breast).
“They said a mastectomy was my only option.” A mastectomy is the complete removal of one or both breasts. 
“Obviously, surgery was tough,” Miller said. “There was a lot of recovery.” Through it all, her family remained by her side. Miller’s parents and her in-laws both helped out at her home during her surgeries, and her husband, John, was also a source of unwavering support. 
“My husband is a very positive, strong person,” said Miller. “He was just amazing and always trying to keep me focused. I knew I had to be strong for our kids, but there were still times when I got scared. I let that out to John, and he kept me positive.” 
  Miller’s co-workers at Federated Insurance and friends also offered help. “My team members, upper management and even the CEO sent cards, gift cards, put lunch money in my boys’ accounts at school, had meals delivered to our door… It was just nice knowing I don’t have to worry about stuff like that,” said Miller. “I could focus on getting better.”
Accepting help from others, says Miller, is important to a successful recovery. “It’s hard for a lot of people (and it was for me, too) to rely on others,” she says. “But, it helps so much, and I think people feel good when they are able to help. And it made me feel good, too.” 
Since Miller talked with a doctor soon after feeling the lump, the cancer was detected early. “I was fortunate to catch it so early,” Miller said. “We were able to remove the cancer, get clean margins and feel comfortable not having chemo or radiation. There were also no lymph nodes involved.” (When cancer reaches the lymph nodes, it can easily travel to other areas of the body.) 
“I want people to let people know that the earlier you can detect something, the better,” said Miller. “Be aware of changes in your body.” 
  Although Miller’s experience lasted only a few months, it was still a rough journey. Keeping a positive attitude, however, made things a little more bearable. “I was pretty positive through the whole thing,” Miller said. “My advice to other people with cancer is that the biggest thing is trying to stay positive. I know it’s hard. But, if you can find something to fight for, it really makes a difference. For me, it was obviously my kids and my family. There’s a ton of things I still want to do in my life. But, I just had to take it one day at time.”
Two years later, Miller is still “taking things one day at a time.” Every six months, she has a check up to make sure she’s still in remission, and her next six-month check up is only a few weeks away. “I always get a little nervous,” Miller says. “But, I am still very thankful for how things turned out.” 
  Miller is thankful that she is in remission, and can continue to enjoy life with her husband, two young sons and daughter. But, she also feels that it’s important for her to continue sharing her story, in hopes of helping other women. 
“I know it’s very hard for a lot of people to share their story,” she said. “But, anytime I get the chance to share my story, I do. I think I have helped people, and at the relay, I have a chance to do that on a bigger scale. I want to create some awareness and maybe be able to help some women out there.” 
During the Steele County Relay for Life, all survivors will walk the first lap around the track together, led by Miller and Plemel. This year’s event begins at 6 p.m. on July 17, at the Steele County Fairgrounds.