For nearly two decades, Michelle Chandler Matthews has been a trusted hairstylist on Padre Island, known for making every client feel their best the moment they leave her chair.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe is so talented in many different ways,\u201d said longtime customer Diana Gosling of Island Breeze House of Hair.<\/p>\n
Inside the salon, the sound of scissors and laughter fills the room as Michelle works her magic on each client. But earlier this year, her life took an unexpected turn.<\/p>\n
In May, Michelle was diagnosed with Stage 1 invasive lobular breast cancer. Despite the news, she\u2019s continuing to do what she loves most: caring for her clients.<\/p>\n
Padre Island rallies around hairstylist facing Breast Cancer with hope and heart<\/p>\n
\u201cI start chemo on the 22, next week, so that’s why I’m here to take care of you,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n
She credits her routine health checkups for catching the cancer early.<\/p>\n
\u201cJuly 17 is when they scheduled me for the double mastectomy and told me that we could probably would get it all done because we bought it early enough but no they didn\u2019t because it already had gotten into the lymph nodes. If I hadn\u2019t been getting my regular screenings then I wouldn\u2019t have never felt it and it would\u2019ve gone to stage 4 before I knew it,\u201d Michelle explained.<\/p>\n
Her story is now inspiring others who sit in her chair.<\/p>\n
\u201cMichelle has just inspired me because I’m a little behind on getting my mammogram and it’s so important for women to do this,\u201d said Gosling.<\/p>\n
As Michelle prepares to begin chemotherapy and radiation in the coming months, she says the love and support from the community have meant the world to her. Friends, neighbors, and clients have come together to help raise money for her medical expenses.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe overwhelming outpouring and support that I had, I can’t tell you how much this means to me…,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n
Her strength and openness are not only helping her fight cancer but are also encouraging others to prioritize their health \u2014 and proving just how powerful a close-knit community can be.<\/p>\n
If you would like to donate to Michelle’s GOFUNDME, go here<\/a>. <\/p>\n This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.<\/p>\n For the latest local news updates, click here<\/a>, or download the KRIS 6 News App.<\/a><\/p>\n