Beth Meyer
My journey began with a suspicious mole on my earlobe. The first surgery was March 2017. In 2018, it returned with a vengeance leading to a second surgery to remove the parotid gland and neck dissection removing 25 lymph nodes. Resulting in a stage 3c diagnosis. I was sent for four weeks of head and neck radiation followed by one year of twice monthly immunotherapy infusions. Each treatment came with its own set of side effects. Radiation complications led to a liquid diet for four months, mouth and throat damage, lymphedema, and permanent ear damage. Opdivo gave me hepatitis, colitis, rashes, severe fatigue, stomach ulcers, and loss of appetite.
When people would hear I had melanoma, I began to notice a common reply. “I am so glad it’s nothing serious” or “That’s great, you don’t really have cancer” or “You look too good to have cancer.” Hearing these was very hurtful and led me into an isolation to not talk about it.
Cancer doesn’t discriminate, and it has no mercy. Side effects are not always seen on the outside. It is a scary, unpredictable, and all consuming fire that engulfs your whole life! Months and years revolve around doctor appointments, therapy, every emotion one could imagine, and your body being worn down from treatments. All of this makes it so important to have confidence in your medical team and a good support system to lean on. For me, I had to keep in mind something to have hope for. One of those driving forces was wanting to grow old with my best friend and husband. The other was to believe I would ride my bicycle again. Before cancer I was a long distance road cyclist. It kept my focus on healthy eating and exercising when I was able to.
It has been a long and winding road and I still have work to do. But with each day, it gets better.
If I could offer any advice, wear a good sunscreen and get regular skin checks. Melanoma is not just skin cancer! Be your own advocate. Stay strong, pray, and never give up hope.
