Melissa's Musings: October 2026
First Fridays · October 2026 · Issue No. 2
By Melissa Gilbert
Happy October everyone!
The air is beginning to crisp, the leaves are beginning to change color, and I’m starting to think about soups and stews instead of salads and quiches.
October is a very important month for a number of reasons, but primarily because it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Sadly, we all know someone or have been someone who has faced a breast cancer diagnosis. In fact, here’s something you probably don’t know about me: I had a scare a few years ago when a suspicious spot turned up on my annual mammogram and I needed a biopsy. Waiting for those results felt like the longest two weeks of my life.
Everything was fine in the end, thank goodness. But as I waited, I thought about the countless women without insurance and others without great doctors and technicians around them. I thought about all the women who put off their mammograms, and those who even believe that the mammograms themselves are dangerous and refuse to get them.
Having walked alongside so many friends as they battled breast cancer, I can say unequivocally that it is vital to be your own health advocate—especially when it comes to breast health. There will be about 321,000 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in the U.S. this year and about 42,000 women will die. This is striking, considering breast cancer is very treatable if it’s found early. Yet too many of us don’t know the essential facts that make a big difference when it comes to prevention and early detection. That’s why we sat down with Dr. Marisa Weiss, a breast oncologist and founder of Breastcancer.org. She has the eye-opening information we all need. I know it inspired me to share this with each of you: Go get your boobies squished! Please, don’t put it off another minute.
October is also the month we celebrate Halloween, my all-time favorite holiday. (Don’t miss this month’s Prairie Picks for some of my favorite traditions!)
Of course, I can’t wait to see pictures of all my grands in their sweet costumes. Halloween is also special for me because it’s the day my mentor, Michale Landon, was born. Any day I get to celebrate him is a good day.
So, this Halloween, let’s all toast my Pa and eat his favorite candy, black jellybeans. I know licorice is not everyone’s favorite, but if you could manage just one in his honor, I’ll bet he’ll smile down with great appreciation and get a giggle when you make a face because you don’t like it.
I’m sending you all so much love and wishes for a cozy, fun, spooky, healthy, safe, and black jellybean-filled time.
With love,
P.S. I’m so grateful for all of the ways Modern Prairians showed up for their neighbors for Hunger Action Month, which I wrote about here. I’d love to hear about a neighbor you’ll never forget. What did they do—big or small—that has stayed with you? Share your story with us HERE!
14 comments
I too had that biopsy scare but mine came back as cancer. For some reason I knew it was going to come back positive but when I got the actual results I got depressed and started clearing out my closet and some of my belongings as I didn’t want my husband to have to deal with moving my stuff on. Luckily that thought only stayed with me a couple of weeks and then my thoughts changed to fighting this. Women of all ages along with men need to get screened. One day I hope all cancer will be a thing of the past. ❤️
I too had a tiny scare, biopsy and a couple week wait. All was fine, and I felt so blessed. I also know several people that have had breast cancer. Unfortunately we all do. Take care, keep on top of your mammogram and stick together to support each other. Chat, remind each other about appointments and go ahead laugh at “i’m getting squished today”. We are all in the same boat, so rock it girls!!
I remember when I got diagnosed with breast cancer; the initial startled reaction and the subsequent, almost instantaneous, decision to not get emotional for the sake of my family and instead be practical and take it step by step. The operation got it all, but 20 years later I can’t help wonder if it knocked some years off my life. Will I live to be 95-100 like all the other women in my family? One thing I am grateful for this and every fall season is that in Canada it does not matter if you are poor or rich – if you get sick you will be taken care of. My treatment cost me literally nothing. We here are so bewildered and heartbroken for our American friends to the south who still don’t have universal health care for all. So sad that Melissa has to even mention cost in her letter, and American movies about illness are all about how to pay for treatment. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I also have Breast Cancer and trying to deal with so much info thrown my way continually, which is a good thing but can be overwhelming. After having surgery I am now about to go through the radiation treatments and like most people have reservations but in the end I agreed to do them as hopefully it will help to make sure it does not come back. No guarantees but hopeful. I have been watching Little House forever and have enjoyed watching and have been a fan for years and years. I will do my best to remember “Pa” on his birthday and for myself it hurts every time I see his picture as he is surely missed by most of the world in my opinion. Melissa, your clothes and accessories are beautiful. The brown dress you are wearing in this posting is beautiful. Not sure, because I am so short if that dress will look right on me but I may have to find out! Thank you for being involved with Breast Cancer. The local Breast Cancer Alliance has been so helpful to me and I hope when I am up for it to help them raise money….I love to hold Bingo fundraisers which is so much fun. No I do not raise millions but I have raised around $15,000 for some charities. I love to help where I can but with age I cannot do as much but I do try. Again thank you for your loving, caring way of helping with the Breast Cancer organizations. I pray for continued Blessings for you and your family, friends and Co workers. Keep smiling and looking up always, as that is where we get all our ideas to keep using our creative minds.