Steve’s story
My wife convinced me to have a spot on my back checked. Biopsy results confirmed it as a melanoma and scans showed it had spread to at least 2 lymph nodes.
After surgery I was put on a clinical trial for the immunotherapy drug nivolumab. I had MRI and CT scans after 6 months and the results hit me like a high-speed train. I had tumours in my brain, liver, kidney and spleen.
The oncologist suggested I also try ipilimumab. And I started a very targeted type of radiation therapy called stereotactic radiosurgery.
The immunotherapy and the radiation therapy left me with several side effects. These included rashes, mouth ulcers and headaches and more severe ones such as jointpain and a type of arthritis called spondyloarthritis. My doctor was able to fix most of my side effects.
A year later, the MRI and CT scans are all clear. I think I’m almost back to my old self, but I get anxious the week of the scans until I get the results. I wouldn’t have made it this far without the medical staff and the support of my wife.
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