Coram hospital worker battles cancer, fighting to survive for her 4 children

Melinda Schmid has spent more than two decades caring for others. Now, the Coram mom of four needs help herself.

Schmid, 43, a nurse tech in the open heart unit at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, was diagnosed with breast cancer about two months ago. She’s now in the middle of an aggressive course of chemotherapy that has left her weak, bedridden and unable to work.

Her family says she’s struggles to get through even the simplest daily tasks.

“She lives every day in pain, exhausted and feeling sick to her stomach,” said her sister, Melissa Schmid of Niagara Falls, New York. “She can’t even fold laundry without needing to lay down.”

Melissa Schmid started a GoFundMe page to help her sister and her family push through this difficult time. So far, the month-old effort has raised just over $1,000 from 13 donations.

A lifelong Long Islander, Melinda Schmid grew up with her sister in a home on Amsterdam Avenue in East Patchogue. Both are Bellport High School graduates.

Melissa Schmid described her sister to Greater Long Island as someone who always places others first.

“She’s a true friend and has a heart of gold,” she said. “She cares about her family and would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. She always did her best to help her friends and family out when they needed it.”

Melinda Schmid is also a devoted mom. Her children are Jasmin, 23, an aspiring lawyer; Jayden, 19; Meya, 13; and Jovanney, 7.

“All of the kids were very active in sports, ranging from basketball and lacrosse, and Jayden even played football for the Long Island All-Stars until his senior year in high school,” Melissa Schmid said.

The Schmid sisters lost their mother to ovarian cancer when Melinda Schmid was just 19. That early tragedy, combined with years of chronic pain from a botched surgery and ongoing autoimmune disorders, has made her recent diagnosis even more difficult.

“She’s had it rough,” Melissa Schmid said.

Melinda Schmid’s first chemo treatment was so strong it landed her in NYU Langone Hospital — Suffolk (formerly Brookhave Hospital) for six days suffering from E. coli condition, Melissa Schmid said. Now, the treatments are being administered weekly at a lower dose, in hopes they’ll be more manageable.

“She’s a hard worker. Compassionate, fun-loving, smart, caring and dedicated don’t even cover the half of what she is,” Melissa Schmid said. “She’s a sports mom, a compassionate health care provider, and a Long Islander for life.”

Melissa lives in western New York now but plans to visit Long Island next month to help her sister in person.

In the meantime, she’s hoping the GoFundMe gains more traction.

“She didn’t deserve this diagnosis,” she said. “Please consider helping.”