“It Wasn’t a Joke.” Missy Cosgrove’s Breast Cancer Journey with Inspira by Her Side

When Milissa “Missy” Cosgrove thinks back to April 1, 2020, the memory still feels surreal. “It was April Fool’s Day,” she said. “But it wasn’t a joke.”

That was the day Missy learned she had breast cancer.

A longtime Mullica Hill resident of nearly 30 years, Missy received her diagnosis in the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when uncertainty already filled the world. Like many patients, her first instinct was to look toward large, well-known cancer centers in Philadelphia. She visited several, hoping to find clarity and reassurance. Instead, she found herself overwhelmed by the crowded hallways and the fast pace of a city hospital. 

Finding Care Close to Home

A trusted physician suggested Missy look closer to home. That recommendation led her to Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill. The moment she walked through the doors, everything shifted. “I didn’t even know this place existed,” she recalled. “But the minute I walked in, it didn’t feel like a hospital. It felt comforting. Like it had been waiting for me.”

Missy was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer, requiring the removal of lymph nodes and an aggressive course of treatment. Beginning in early 2021, her care plan included chemotherapy, radiation therapy and targeted treatments that stretched over many months.

Enduring Treatment, Surrounded by Support

The physical toll was significant. She lost her hair within weeks. Fatigue set in. Neuropathy, changes in taste and painful side effects became part of daily life. But through it all, Missy says she never felt alone. “The nurses were my rock,” she said. “They knew exactly what I needed, sometimes before I did.”

She remembers the familiar faces who greeted her at every visit: Linda at the front desk, Meghan and Chrissy in the infusion center and others who quickly became like family. During a time when COVID restrictions meant attending appointments without loved ones, the Inspira care team stepped in with compassion, steadiness and humanity. “They held me up,” Missy said. “Every day.”

A Team That Treated the Whole Person

Missy’s multidisciplinary care team included surgical oncologist Nandini Kulkarni, M.D., Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill Leading-Edge Cancer Center medical director Erev Tubb, M.D., FACP and radiation oncologist David Lowther, M.D. Together, they guided her through each phase of treatment with clarity and reassurance—answering questions, adjusting care when side effects became overwhelming and always making time to listen. “Having doctors who truly cared made all the difference,” Missy said. “They treated me like a person, not a diagnosis.”

At home, Missy drew strength from her family, especially her daughter, who witnessed much of her journey. “She was my everything. There were days I pushed through because of her.” Her husband, who works in the pharmaceutical industry, helped her prepare for each step by researching medications, organizing appointments and standing beside her through every milestone.

Reaching the Other Side of Treatment

When treatment finally ended, the moment brought a wave of emotions: relief, gratitude and disbelief. “I’m one of the lucky ones,” Missy said. “And I never forget that.”

Even after completing treatment, Missy’s connection to Inspira didn’t end. She joined weekly support groups, participated in art therapy and Reiki programs and continues to visit the cancer center, sometimes simply to say hello. Together with her husband, Missy found meaningful ways to give back, including donating supplies to the infusion center to support patients currently in treatment.

“When you’ve been there, you understand how much the little things matter,” she said. “Giving back is huge for us.”

Today, Missy is focused on living fully by spending time at the beach, staying active and celebrating milestones with her family, including her daughter’s upcoming high school graduation. While there are lingering effects from treatment and moments of fear that naturally follow a cancer diagnosis, she chooses to move forward with gratitude and hope.

Looking back, Missy is certain of one thing: “I’m glad I chose Inspira,” she said. “These doctors, these nurses, this place—they guided me through the hardest years of my life. And now I get to be here, healthy, supporting others. That’s everything.”