In this Hidden Brain "My Unsung Hero" episode, host Shankar Vedantam presents Jackie Briggs' first‑person account of how a nurse named Angela, encountered at a women's health conference in August 2006, noticed a suspicious spot on Jackie’s arm and urged her to seek medical attention. Jackie, then a 52‑year‑old IT professional working 60‑hour weeks, had delayed follow‑up on a skin lesion for over three years. Angela’s insistence led Jackie to see a dermatologist, receive a melanoma diagnosis, and undergo surgery that removed the cancer. The experience prompted Jackie to quit her high‑stress job, retire, and pursue outdoor activities such as mountain climbing, kayaking, hiking, and motorcycling. The episode also acknowledges the series’ producer Laura Querelle, invites listeners to submit their own unsung‑hero stories via myunsunghero.org, and includes several sponsor messages. The narrative highlights the critical impact of attentive health‑care professionals, the importance of early detection of melanoma, and how a single act of care can catalyze profound life changes.
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Hey, I wanted to share my story about an unsung hero.
Hi, Shankar.
I would like to talk about my hero.
My unsung hero is the man in the Panama hat on the flight to Boston.
As the plane neared— My unsung hero would definitely have to be my 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Abrams.
She was trying to—
I don't know who they were. I can't even remember their face.
But I do remember what they did for me. I can't even express to you how much you've changed my life. Thank you.
Thanks.
Thank you for making me feel heard.
Today's story comes from Jackie Briggs.
And as she gently touched my arm, she said, really, don't wait.
The moment that changed Jackie Briggs's life came on a Saturday afternoon in August 2006.
I was attending what was billed as a women's health conference. Turned out it was really a pitch for cosmetic surgery, which really irritated me. But anyway, at that point in my life, I was 52 years old, and for several years I'd been working 60-hour work weeks in this high-pressure IT job, and I had very little time for myself. So I really wanted to go and hear this one particular speaker. As a few hundred women milled around different booths picking up brochures and eating crudités offered by those black-panted, white-shirted waitstaff, this lovely dark-haired woman came up to me and she said, Excuse me, but I can't help but notice your arm. I had what my boss later described as what he thought was a rose tattoo. It was on my upper right bicep, and I was uncharacteristically wearing a sleeveless dress that day. Well, this woman, who I have come to refer to as Angela, Although I really don't know if that's how she introduced herself or if that's the name I have since given her, but she asked me if I'd seen a dermatologist about this smallish, irregular, almost birthmark-looking spot, and I assured her I had. She pressed me and said, when? And I had to stop to think, and I counted back the months and no, years. It had been over 3 years. I was supposed to follow up a year after, but I was so caught up in my job I never did. The dermatologist's office never reached out to me either, so blah blah blah, time moves on. So this woman urged me to call my doctor Monday morning first thing. Please don't wait, she said. She explained she was a nurse for a plastic surgeon, and as she gently touched my arm, she said, really, don't wait. And thanks to her, I didn't wait. In the following weeks of doctor's appointments, biopsies, and then the surgery are all a bit of a blur, but because everything moved very fast. But my melanoma was removed, and my 6-inch ragged scar that travels Almost from the top of my shoulders down my arm is my everyday reminder of her. Angela, my guardian angel. She saved my life. Melanoma is a cancer that metastasizes faster than any other except pancreatic, and if I hadn't listened to her, I probably wouldn't be here. So to my hero, Nurse Angela, Thank you for my life.
Jackie Briggs of Portland, Oregon. She tells us that about 2 years after that conference and her melanoma surgery, she quit that 60-hour-a-week IT job. She also took up mountain climbing and summited 12 peaks. When we spoke with her, she was happily retired, going kayaking, hiking, and motorcycle riding whenever possible. We have an unsung hero of our own to share today, Laura Querelle, who is our lead producer on this project. Over the past few months, Laura has taken on My Unsung Hero with great skill and conscientiousness. This project could not have succeeded without her writing, and sound design talents. Thank you, Laura. To share your unsung hero with us, go to myunsunghero.org for instructions on how to record and send us your story. Again, that website is myunsunghero.org. If you liked today's episode, please be sure to share it with a few friends. Word-of-mouth recommendations really make all the difference. I'm Shankar Vedantam. See you soon. Support for Hidden Brain comes from Air France. Air France business cabin offers comfort throughout the journey with priority check-in, boarding, and lounge access. Onboard, enjoy menus from renowned French chefs, wines and champagne selected by a sommelier, and free high-speed Wi-Fi. When it's time to rest, settle into a fully adjustable lie-flat bed with added mattress comfort. The art of travel elevated because Air France Business Cabin goes further in every detail to make your journey exceptional.
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Having lots of choices sounds like it would be great. Who doesn't want more flavors of ice cream? It turns out the answer is us. Too many choices can make us anxious, overwhelmed. I'm Shankar Vedantam, host of the Hidden Brain podcast and YouTube channel. Each week, Hidden Brain brings you fascinating, science-backed insights about human behavior. So the next time you have to choose, choose Hidden Brain on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or hiddenbrain.org.
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