EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. (October 27, 2025) – Amid Breast Cancer Awareness Month, longtime Hightower Heritage Real Estate employee Michelle Goode is sharing how a positive mindset and the love of those around her helped her face a Stage Two breast cancer diagnosis.
Michelle said her diagnosis began with intuition. She noticed what felt like a lump through her clothing, prompting her to schedule a routine mammogram. When the results came back negative, however, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something still wasn’t right.
“I just knew,” Michelle said. That instinct led her to seek a second opinion, where she was diagnosed with lobular carcinoma, a type of breast cancer that, according to the National Health Institute, can appear as a small lump with cells that spread throughout breast tissue.
Within a week, Michelle was scheduled for a double mastectomy. “The procedure removed both breasts,” she said. “I had the option later to have implants.”
Through it all, Michelle leaned on her faith, family, friends, coworkers, and her doctor at Liberty Hospital, Dr. Anna Gibson, who supported her every step of the way. “I kept a positive mindset,” Michelle said. “I was looking forward to being a grandmother to my unborn grandchild and continuing to foster my relationships with my family, friends, and community.”
After her surgery, she began chemotherapy, four rounds, every two weeks. “It was rough,” she said. “The medication made me go from energetic to sleepy and then sick to my stomach.” During that time, her husband stayed by her side, cooking meals and tidying up so she could rest.
When her hair began to fall out, a close friend shaved her own head in solidarity. Michelle chose to see it as another moment to stay upbeat. “I was ready to shave it and excited for my hair to regrow and be healthy,” she said.
Throughout her journey, Michelle said staying positive and having a strong support system got her through the hardest moments. “When I went in for surgery, it never really hit me that I had breast cancer until I saw the sign that read ‘oncology,’” she said. “But when I was back in my hospital room, my family and friends were there, and I knew it was all going to be okay.”
After her reconstruction, she faced another unexpected setback: her implants ruptured and had to be replaced. But even then, she found a way to keep her humor.
“I had a warranty on my breasts,” she joked. “I bet many people can’t say that.”
Over the next ten years, Michelle continued taking medication to prevent recurrence. Now cancer-free, she’s using her experience to help others. “I want women to know to just get checked,” she said. “If they still suspect a problem, trust their bodies and get a second opinion. And if anyone needs someone to talk to, I’m open to sharing my experience.”
Her advice for those supporting a loved one with breast cancer is simple: “Just be there for them,” she said. “Don’t dismiss them. People going through this just need to know they are loved and cared about.”
Michelle’s story is a reminder that early detection and listening to your body can make all the difference. Courtney Jones, Lead Radiology Technologist in the Mammography Department at Excelsior Springs Hospital (ESH), echoes that message. “Every mammogram we perform has the potential to change a life,” Jones said. “Early detection truly saves lives by catching something small before it becomes something bigger.”
Patients can schedule a mammogram at ESH by calling (816) 630-2700 or through their primary care provider. Walk-ins are also available during designated times.
“When a patient arrives for a mammogram, they’re greeted by our compassionate imaging team, who guide them through every step,” Jones said. “The exam typically takes about 15 to 20 minutes, and we make every effort to ensure patients feel comfortable and cared for.”
If follow-up testing is needed, Jones said ESH technologists and radiologists coordinate with providers for next steps such as ultrasounds or biopsies.
“We understand how stressful that waiting period can be,” she said. “So we prioritize timely results so patients aren’t left worrying longer than necessary.”
For those currently in treatment, Jones offered words of encouragement: “Please know you are not alone. There’s an entire community, both here at ESH and beyond, rooting for you, praying for you, and walking beside you every step of the way. The strength and resilience we see in our patients inspire us every single day.”
Michelle’s journey may be just one story of many from those battling cancer, but her courage and humor, combined with unwavering support from loved ones and the community of Excelsior Springs, has given her strength to bring awareness.
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