Melodie Henderson
Through Every Challenge, Faith Carried Her Forward
Educator, wife, mother, breast cancer survivor, and congestive heart failure thriver are identifiers along my life’s path. Child of God is the identifier that sustains me through it all!
My name is Melodie Henderson, and I’m 61 years young. At the age of 52, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
My first diagnosis came in December 2017, followed by a subsequent diagnosis in January 2018. In February 2018, I underwent a bilateral mastectomy with delayed reconstruction, followed by chemotherapy from April through September, with a brief pause in July to undergo a full hysterectomy.
Shortly after my mastectomy, I was diagnosed with lymphedema and received lymphedema therapy for several months. I also underwent 33 radiation treatments from late October through mid-December 2018. I carry the BRCA2 gene mutation as well.
Since then, I’ve undergone a few additional surgical procedures to address issues resulting from either my cancer diagnosis or its treatment.
Since 2021, I have served as a mentor with ABCD (After Breast Cancer Diagnosis), supporting women diagnosed with breast cancer from across the United States and beyond, including Canada and Bermuda. To date, I have had the honor of mentoring more than 40 participants through this organization, helping them navigate their own breast cancer journeys.
In 2022, I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF) as a result of my breast cancer treatment. This part of my journey was recently highlighted in an article published on MedShadow.org, titled “Heart Damage: The Silent Cost of Beating Breast Cancer,” written by Farah Aziz Annesha and Carly Kay.
I am not defined by my breast cancer or CHF diagnoses. However, a significant part of how I move forward in life is sharing just how impactful these health challenges can be and emphasizing the importance of navigating through them to experience all that life has to offer, in spite of the challenges.
My life’s mantra remains, “But God!”
Brooke Kappel Jones
I’m Still Here Against All Odds: A Mother’s Second Chance at Life
My journey has been filled with many hiccups over these past eight years, but God has always brought me through to the other side, with joy and gratitude each time.
On November 28, 2021, what began as an ordinary Sunday became the day that changed my life forever. I was four months postpartum with our daughter, blissfully happy and unaware that my life was about to hang in the balance. The day before, our family had taken Christmas pictures that nearly became our last together.
By what I can only describe as fate and divine intervention, my husband, Rob, unexpectedly stayed home that Sunday instead of going out to watch football with friends like he typically would. When I suddenly became very ill, he found me collapsed and unresponsive in our shower. I had suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. Without hesitation, Rob called 911 and began hands-only CPR, continuing for seven minutes until paramedics arrived.
That was only the beginning of an unimaginable fight for my life. I suffered three cardiac arrests and a heart attack in a matter of hours and required CPR multiple times to be revived. I had a non-shockable rhythm, meaning an AED did not work on me. CPR was my only chance of survival. Doctors discovered that rare coronary vasopasms, combined with several contributing factors, had caused my heart to stop out of nowhere. I was placed in a medically induced coma while my family waited and prayed, not knowing whether I would survive or, if I did, whether I would suffer permanent brain damage.
Miraculously, I woke up two days later, still myself, with no permanent physical or cognitive damage. I had survived three cardiac arrests and a heart attack in one day. I am a miracle.
Nearly five years later, I continue to live with the emotional impact and trauma of that experience, but above all, I live with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I take daily heart medication and see my cardiologist regularly, reminders of how precious life truly is. Most importantly, I am still here! I get to watch our daughter grow, make memories with her, experience the joys of motherhood, and be present for all the moments that I could have missed. Those everyday moments are no longer something I take for granted; they are gifts I am incredibly grateful to experience.
I believe I am still here for a reason. Rob’s quick action saved my life, and I will forever be grateful that he was home that day and wasn’t afraid to act. His courage showed me firsthand how a simple, lifesaving skill can make the difference between life and death.
Today, I share my story in the hope that others will learn hands-only CPR and feel empowered to act when someone’s life is on the line. You don’t have to be a medical professional to save a life. You just have to be willing to step in and help.
I am living proof that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. God gave me a second chance at life, and I intend to use my voice to help give that chance to others. Anyone can be a hero!
Evonne Rochelle Rooks
Stroke Survivor • Courage, Faith & Hope
We proudly honor Evonne Rochelle Rooks, whose extraordinary journey reminds us that survival is only the beginning of a new purpose.
At just 28 years old, Evonne experienced a devastating stroke that affected approximately 75% of the left cerebellum of her brain. Despite the life-changing diagnosis and the challenges that followed, her unwavering faith, determination, and resilience have carried her through recovery. Today, she courageously shares her story to educate others, raise awareness that stroke can happen at any age, and inspire hope for those facing their own battles.
Evonne’s journey is a powerful reminder that every day is a gift. Her strength reflects the heart of our mission—to educate, encourage, and empower women and families through heart health awareness, stroke prevention, healing, and hope.