My Date With Chemo: Lexy Mealing

Lexy Mealing went into every treatment dressed in the brightest colors, arriving fashionably to her appointments wearing all shades of pink, orange, and aqua blue, always with a matching bag to complete the look. The 52-year-old single mother refused to let a tough time stop her from dressing up.

“I knew I would feel so much better in my cute outfit. And I did,” Lexy said, “It was my date with chemo.” Her bag contained everything she would need during her treatment: apple juice, a coloring book, music, and a cozy blanket. “New York Cancer & Blood Specialists (NYCBS) always made me feel as comfortable as possible.” 

Lexy was diagnosed with right lower inner breast invasive ductal carcinoma and right central breast ductal carcinoma in March 2021 after a delayed breast screening. Prior to her diagnosis, she had no signs or symptoms and was already a breast cancer and heart disease advocate, often educating her family and friends. Two months later, she had a double mastectomy with a DIEP flap and eventually underwent breast reconstruction with Dr. David Light at NYBRA Plastic Surgery. However, her story goes back to 2017, when she underwent breast reduction surgery.

A year after her surgery, Lexy was due for a mammogram. Like most women, she avoided it. She pushed it off until the end of 2019. The mammogram detected changes in her breasts, but her doctor explained it was common in women who’ve had breast reductions and to follow up in a month. A month passed, and in March 2020, Covid hit. Lexy put her breast health on hold. Eventually, she went for her follow-up appointment and received the unfortunate news that she had breast cancer. Lexy was referred to Dr. Yelda Nouri at NYCBS. Dr. Nouri and her nurses— Bernie, Simone, Pat, and Jasmine—thoroughly explained Lexy’s personalized treatment plan. “Everyone at NYCBS became like my family,” Lexy said.

Once a week for twelve weeks, Lexy would receive chemotherapy. On the days she wasn’t at the office, she walked 10,000 steps to stay active and energized. Lexy took advantage of NYCBS’s comprehensive offerings on the days she was, seeing the social worker, Alyza, and the nutritionist, Wendy. 

Alyza helped Lexy apply for any financial grants she qualified for, including a grant from the New York Cancer Foundation, of which she was a recipient. “I was so blessed to get the grant they gave me,” Lexy said. “It helped me tremendously.”

Recently, Lexy attended NYCBS’s Cooking With Your Oncologist Program– a cooking event led by a chef and oncologist, in this case, her own, Dr. Nouri. “It was amazing to walk in as a patient but not for treatment,” Lexy said. “You're coming to have a good time and be amongst other cancer patients going through some of the same things as you.” 

Now, as a cancer survivor, Lexy offers her support to others. She is a member of the NYCBS Buddies Program, which matches a new patient with a survivor of the same diagnosis.  Since conquering her breast cancer, Lexy has returned to the workforce with a passion for helping others. She helps educate other women on the importance of regular mammograms at Pure Mammography. ”If I didn’t go in for my mammogram when I did, the tumor could have grown,” Lexy said. She also emphasizes the importance of educating young girls on how to do self-exams. “Learn what your normal is for your body,” she said. “It’s ok to look in the mirror and examine yourself.”

Lexy’s patient advocacy journey is just beginning. In October, she participated in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Breast Cancer Walk at Jones Beach, as did the NYCBS team. Lexy was excited to see everyone. “It was amazing to celebrate those who have gone before us, those who are still surviving and thriving, and to encourage those who may have just been diagnosed,” said Lexy. 

At the Walk, Lexy was approached by Newsday, interviewed by WBLI radio, and asked to be the keynote speaker at an upcoming press conference. Lexy could finally share her story for so many people to hear. She was invited to the NY Islanders’ annual Hockey Fights Cancer game to be the honorary flag bearer.

When talking about her cancer journey, she said, “Even though you go through moments and time, NYCBS is a safe and comfortable place.”