Survivor Series: Missy Long

Missy Long is a wife, a mother, a nurse, and a cancer survivor.

“I was diagnosed in October of 2023 with breast cancer,” Long said.

The cancer was stage 2 at the time of her diagnosis. She learned the news while she was with one of her children, and it was sobering to say the least.

“I was in a pizza restaurant with my son and his friends when I found out. As a mother, hearing those words,  it was hard to keep it together,” Long said.

Nearly immediately, her mind went to who she cared for in her other roles, particularly her children.

“I know they need me,” she said. “I was thinking ‘This can’t be happening.’”

Shortly after the diagnosis, Long began attacking the cancer with immunotherapy and then chemotherapy.

“I had six rounds of chemotherapy, 21 days apart,” Long said.

Long later made the decision to get a mastectomy as a precautionary measure. Today, she still takes medication daily and a monthly injection to block hormones that could contribute to cancer.

“Ever since then, I get a monthly injection and a daily pill to act as hormone blockers,” Long said. “I’ll do that for the next five years.”

While the diagnosis occurred a couple years ago and Long is now cancer free, those who surrounded her during the battle with cancer continue to support her to this day. They have not forgotten the strength Long has consistently shown.

“When Missy was diagnosed, she didn’t just fight for herself; she fought for her family,” said Jenarae Maldonado, one of Long’s close friends. “Through every treatment, every difficult day, she remained anchored in faith and surrounded by love. She showed her children what true strength looks like: not the absence of fear, but the choice to rise above it.”

Long’s husband, Alex, was there for her every step of the way and continues to be. He’s amazed at her persistence.

“She’s very modest, I’d say,” he said. “She was incredibly strong through this, and to have that strength going through it was amazing to me.”

In addition to caring for her family throughout her battle, Long worked as a nurse. She believes her strength came from her faith.

“For me, it was my faith that got me through every moment of uncertainty,” she said.

She encourages others battling cancer to lean on faith, family, and friends.

“My advice would be to put your faith in the Lord,” she said. “Get around your friends who are like-minded. Lean on your family. My husband was a support.”

Long is grateful for everyone that was there for her while battling cancer.

“I want to thank God for getting me through every moment,” she said. “I want to thank my family and my friends who supported me. I also want to thank my doctors.”

Cancer never slowed Long down. Today, cancer free, she is able to fulfill those roles and more.