A Savannah Doctor Battles Breast Cancer

Savannah Doctor Fights Breast Cancer (Added: October 29, 2009)

She's been delivering babies for 16 years. Now she's dealing with taking care of herself. (more)

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Dr. Melanie Helmken says she knew she had breast cancer before she was diagnosed.

By: Tina Tyus-Shaw | WSAV News 3
Published: October 29, 2009

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(Savannah) "This is an original artwork from a patient of mine who had breast cancer." A welcome surprise - letters, cards, pictures, artwork, covering a wall at Dr. Melanie Helmken's home. Her daugther arranged the messages of inspiration, which came from well wishers, patients, and family. "Beautiful notes that are just inspiring." Signs of hope and healing as she fights breast cancer. "I knew from the very beginning just by looking at it that that's what it was," says Dr. Helmken. She's endured hair loss and chemotherapy. "It's really not as bad as I feared. It's just tiring." Remaining upbeat, Dr. Helmken gains her positive spirit from caring words and her number one source of strength. "Faith of course is the most important thing that God's not going to give you something that you can't handle and you can't take care of yourself. And I believe that." Dr. Helmken says she has one more round of chemotherapy. She's looking forward to going back to work in December.