“My first reaction was, ‘It’s beautiful, just gorgeous,'” Nelson said, looking around the results of her new bedroom makeover. Nelson was the recipient of a bedroom makeover from My Happy Haven — Fort Dodge.

My Happy Haven is an organization based in Mason City that rallies funds and volunteers to create a “happy haven” for women who are battling cancer. Cancer treatments can be exhausting, painful and challenging, so the organization aims to give these women a comfortable place to recover and recuperate. In 2020, a Fort Dodge chapter was established.

As she looked around the room, taking in the new views of the matching nightstands and dresser and new shiplap-covered wall, the look of amazement and awe never left her face.

“It’s a new beginning,” Nelson said. “I’m going to enjoy spending some time in here, a little oasis.”

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
Melissa Nelson and her boyfriend Jaden Henry react to seeing their bedroom makeover done by My Happy Haven — Fort Dodge, on Sunday afternoon.

Nelson’s cancer journey started about two and a half years ago when she went to see her OB/GYN with concerns of pelvic pains. After some initial testing failed to determine a cause, a biopsy discovered what the doctors thought was uterine cancer.

“They said, ‘You know, it’s the best kind of cancer to have because then all you need is a hysterectomy, then you’ll be OK,'” Nelson recalled.

So shortly after the diagnosis, Nelson headed to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to undergo a hysterectomy. However, upon completion of the surgery, she received more bad news — it wasn’t uterine cancer, after all. It was extremely advanced cervical cancer that had spread to her uterus and lymph nodes.

“So then at that point, they wanted to go with chemo treatment, internal radiation, plus external radiation,” she said. “So that was more aggressive.”

This news came as a shock, but Nelson credits her boyfriend, Jaden Henry, her son, Taeton Moore, and her close friends and family for providing support and helping her get through this rough time.

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
Melissa Nelson, of Fort Dodge, looks around her newly-remodeled bedroom on Sunday afternoon. Nelson was the recipient of a bedroom makeover from the organization My Happy Haven — Fort Dodge.

“I have a good support team and friends who were with me every step of the way,” Nelson said. “I’m not one to ask for help and it’s hard for me to accept it, so this is all kind of new to me.”

On Sept. 29, just a day before her 40th birthday, Nelson finished her treatments. Now, she’s waiting for a scan she’s going to have next week to see if she’s cancer-free, hoping for some good news in time for Christmas.

“I’m still having some pain,” Nelson said. “I know it’s gonna be a while for me to fully recover.”

Nelson is honored to be a recipient of a My Happy Haven room makeover.

“This community has been amazing,” she said. “My Happy Haven has been a really cool organization to really help bring something beautiful out of something that isn’t so great.”

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
Melissa Nelson received a JBloom Jewelry necklace donated by Heather O'Brien, a LimeLight gift set from Amy Farrell and a handmade sign donated by Amy Potts.

Nelson was nominated by her friend and insurance agent Heather O’Brien.

Amy Farrell designed the new room and dozens of community members donated time, money and talent to the project.

Kari Swisher, of Fort Dodge, is the director of My Happy Haven — Fort Dodge. The organization is always accepting nominations and applications.

For more information, visit the My Happy Haven — Fort Dodge website at https://myhappyhavenmc.com/fort-dodge/.