Only 6 Months to Live: A Story of Survival

I was diagnosed with stage 4 malignant melanoma when I was 53. I used to tan a lot, like both outside and in tanning booths, which I now consider evil!
I am light skinned and have a lot of moles and freckles. I first found out, in April 2018, that I had a mole in the middle of my back that was black and bleeding. I went to the emergency room and they told me to get to a dermatologist fast.

Death loomed with melanoma in liver and lungs

They took a biopsy and it came back positive for cancer. It started at 3C then moved to 3D and then stage 4 and finally stage 4 malignant melanoma. I was so scared and not sure where to begin. I finally got an oncologist who said I only had about six months to live.

I sat in stone silence as the words finally hit my brain. I was extremely upset and scared but knew I would start treatment the next month. I started on Immunotherapy and did so from 2018 until 2021. After the cancer spread to my liver and lungs, I started on heavy cancer drugs called Tafinlar and Mekinist, which made me very sick.

No sign of skin cancer 2 years later

I was in and out of the hospital (Cleveland Clinic) for the duration of a year and had sepsis twice. I outlived that 6 months to now, 2 years later. I spent hours talking to my son, who was studying to be a priest, to discuss God and other aspects of the Bible.

I was so fortunate to have my children to depend on. They took turns caring for me while I was really sick. In 2021, I moved from Cleveland to Columbus to be near my son. I started seeing an oncologist at Ohio State and he said that I’m No Evidence of Disease (NED). Ok good! Yay me!

Cancer returned, but treatment worked

Come 2022, I moved to Fort Myers. I got a new oncologist and, low and behold, there was bleeding on my skull. From the cancer. I went through 5 rounds of radiation during Hurricane Ian. I had so many tests done in my lifetime I should light up! So, then I was NED. Again!

I was fine until late 2024 when I found out I had a cancerous mole that needed to come out on the side of my nose. Another surgery! Since then, I have been strong like bull! I couldn’t let cancer define me! I am spotted like a giraffe on my legs and arms from losing melanin and I embrace it!

Don't ever lose hope

I’m so grateful to all who helped me—all the counseling and love and support from my family! So, if someone tells you that you only have a short time to live, don’t believe it!