Melinda: Brain Cancer Survivor

A brain tumor diagnosis can be devastating – unless you’re like Melinda and approach your problems, no matter how big, with a determined pragmatism and a focus on finding a solution.

A “mostly retired” financial executive, Melinda, 67, was experiencing headaches last fall, unusual for her, so with a break in her calendar before traveling to see her granddaughters, she scheduled a visit with her primary care physician. That appointment led to an MRI.

The diagnosis was presumed to be a meningioma, a common tumor that arises from the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges.

“I am a businessperson. I am fact-based, control what I can, and spend almost no time worrying about what I can’t control,” Melinda said. “Honestly, there was only about 10 minutes when I had any real concerns over the diagnosis.”

So, she turned her attention to the problem at hand. She sought out the best for help and very soon after her October 2023 diagnosis, she met with Jennifer Moliterno, MD, FAANS, Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, Clinical Director for the Chênevert Family Brain Tumor Center at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center, and Chief of Neurosurgical Oncology.

As diligent as ever, Melinda sought a second opinion from another major health system from afar, and she was advised that that the course of treatment Dr. Moliterno suggested was best – and that Dr. Moliterno was well known, highly regarded, and Melinda could not be in better hands.

“I met with Dr. Moliterno and we discussed what needed to be done,” Melinda said. “She was very flexible and accommodating. I had plans with my family, so we deferred it to November, which was safe to do. I went into the hospital the day of surgery, was released two days later, and went home.”

Fortunately, the tumor was safely removed and remarkably in less than an hour. Dr. Moliterno performs a large volume of brain tumor surgeries each year and is especially known for the efficiency in which she can safely operate. Less time under anesthesia means a quicker recovery.

“I had no physical indications that I had brain surgery. I wasn’t tired, I wasn’t dizzy, I had no weakness,” she said. “It was actually very easy for me. I got up the day after surgery, walked around the (hospital) halls and paced. The second day, I had a mild headache and went home, then it was gone.“

It turns out that the headache she was experiencing that caused her to see her doctor was unrelated to the tumor. “This can often be the case,” said Dr. Moliterno. “Brain tumors can be incidentally found, and it is important to do as Melinda did and seek an expert’s opinion when there is a change in health.”

“It was just a matter of timing and luck that they uncovered the meningioma and removed it before it caused serious health problems,” agreed Melinda.

Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Moliterno and everyone at Yale, Melinda looks forward to making more memories with her children and granddaughters.

“Everyone at Yale was extraordinarily professional, committed, and caring – the medical team, the administrators, and the techs. Honestly, I was very well cared for,” she said.

As for Dr. Moliterno, Melinda said, “She’s hot (stuff) and very confident. Personally, I don’t need a lot of bedside manner from my doctor, but she has it. But I do want a highly competent person. I loved the pre-surgery conference Dr. Moliterno led with her team in the surgical room minutes before I went under. I was confident that everyone was on the same page and clear on what my doctor expected – I went under knowing I was fortunate to have Dr. Moliterno taking care of me. And each morning, she breezed by my room to check in – just to make sure for herself that I was progressing as expected.”

In the last seven years of her full-time career, Melinda worked as a financial executive for Tapestry Inc, a global house of iconic brands, including Coach, Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman. When she has public speaking engagements, she will sometimes say, “Everyone should walk in my shoes” because not only does she have fantastic shoes, she also knows she has a wonderful life. Melinda, who survived breast cancer in 2018, has always been thankful for all she has – but even more now.

“I was grateful before I had breast cancer, I was grateful after that, and I’m obviously grateful now. I get up every day and I don’t hurt that much so that’s always good.” That may be because while her friends go to physical therapy, she goes to work out five days a week. She calls it her “self-induced” physical therapy.

“I’m being proactive about it,” she said. “I am planning to travel more with my family and grandchildren, make memories with my family and friends and be thankful for my health and independence. I am one really lucky woman.”