When Hattiesburg resident Michelle Lott was asked to undergo a second mammogram during an annual routine checkup in the summer of 2015, she thought the doctors were being overly cautious at worst.
But after that procedure, a biopsy was ordered – the results of which showed Lott had breast cancer.
That led to eight rounds of chemotherapy and 33 rounds of radiation treatment, which kept her at home for a year but sent her cancer into remission.
“That year, I took my grandkids on a trip to Disney World; it was actually a Christmas present,” said Lott, who worked at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Center for Child Development for 10 years. “There was 18 of us, so just being around family, that helped a lot.
“I was in remission, but I still had to do follow-up visits with my doctor. And during just another routine doctor visit (in 2017), there was a lump they felt in my neck. I kind of felt it the night before, and it felt kind of like a crick (in your neck) or something.”
That same day, Lott had a visit with her oncologist, who also examined the lump and ordered another biopsy.
Unfortunately, the cancer had returned, forcing Lott to undergo nine more rounds of chemotherapy over the course of about a year.
In the meantime, Lott’s children asked her to go the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Atlanta, Georgia, to go over options other than chemotherapy.
“I went there, and that doctor said from the reports, the doctors here in Hattiesburg were doing a good job and doing everything they were supposed to do,” Lott said. “He decided to put me on pills instead of infusion, so I did that from March up until the following February.
“I got sick and was admitted to the hospital; stayed four days. I had trouble breathing, and then they did some more tests, and my heart rate had dropped to 20-25%. So my oncologist and cardiologist kind of talked about best treatments, and they put my chemo on hold. They decided they needed to work on my heart, getting that built up.”
In the midst of that, in July 2020 doctors found a tumor on Lott’s brain.
After a successful surgery to remove the tumor, it was decided to hold off on Lott’s treatment until she became stronger and healthier.
Lott soon underwent six days of radiation, and doctors are currently monitoring her condition while working on a new treatment plan.
“So, that’s where I’m at now – getting regular observation of the tumor, which the tumor is gone,” Lott said. “My last scans were clear; they didn’t see any signs of the tumor or any cancer, and that was done two months ago.
“(I’m waiting) to get some more scans done, and I’m just believing those are going to be clear as well.”
Through the entire process, Lott has relied on her faith in God, along with support from friends and family, to help her in her fight.
“The prayers and encouragement that were sent to me through text and telephone calls (were great),” Lott said. “Before the pandemic, they could visit with me as well, and all my grandchildren live here in Hattiesburg.
“That gives me a lot of joy, seeing them as they’re growing up, and me believing that I’m going to be able to see them when they grow up to become young adults and start their families and careers. And just my faith – that’s the main thing.”
Indeed, Lott feels blessed to have lived through the process, as she’s seen friends and colleagues succumb to cancer over the years.
“They’re fighting the same battle as I am, and they didn’t make it,” she said. “I just feel blessed to know that God has got me here for some type of purpose, and I think it’s to spread the word that He’s still in the healing business and He’s alive and well.
“I don’t want to apologize for my faith, but that’s just where I am.”
In recognition of her fight, Lott was nominated by Dawn Gillis – who serves as director for the Waiting for a Cure Foundation – for the “Get Your Pink On” contest sponsored by The Pine Belt News.
Upon being chosen as the winner of the contest, newspaper officials presented Lott with a plethora of gifts, including a gift basket from Accents Fine Home Interiors and Gifts, a $50 gift card to Sully’s Tavern, a $50 gift card to Luxe Nail Salon, a $50 gift card to Vibe Clothing Company, a $75 gift card to Endless Summer, a $50 gift card to Corner Market and a gift basket from McB’s Boutique & Gift Gallery.
“I help Mrs. Gillis sometimes with volunteer work, and I felt special that she just chose me to even nominate; that was a blessing,” Lott said. “And then to have won, I was excited, and I was just glad that I won.
“I can share and inspire other people to see that there is hope, and they just have to believe and strengthen their faith. Going through these experiences, it will strengthen your faith.”
Assuming her upcoming scans are clear – and if restrictions lessen on travel after the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic – Lott would like to continue to traveling the world.
“I’d like to see national monuments; I’ve already went to New York and seen the Statue of Liberty, and I’ve seen the arch in St. Louis,” she said. “I’d just like to travel. That’s my dream, and I really want to go to Hawaii. Then my next trip, I wanted to go to Greece, to see the coastline. That’s my desire.”
