So as most of you have probably heard by now, I have Stage IV Metastatic Melanoma. At this point we are still wrapping our heads around what is going on with all of this and exactly what is happening. So far here is what I know, I have several masses all over my body with the primary concern being the one in my brain. Please see the back story page for the full time line. Yesterday the 25th I had an appointment with a melanoma specialist at Hershey medical center to discuss what this is and potential treatment options. Because there was some disconcerting swelling on my MRI, the oncologist in the clinic wanted to have me admitted to Hershey for further scans and to make sure nothing more concerning had happened since the first MRI.
This morning I have spoken with multiple doctors, specialists, teams, departments and we are beginning to form our battle plan. At this point it looks like I will be getting further scans today and possibly tomorrow to determine the staging of the cancer and a more detailed look at my head. More lab work and biopsies are scheduled to see if I have an specific mutation that may allow for more specific treatment options and therapies.
(I apologize if I get too technical or scientific with talking about my case. But as you all know I am a science nerd and this is what I do. Hazards of being a nursing major with a biology minor. If you have questions feel free to ask.)
I have met with Radiation Oncologist and it is likely that I will be getting radiation via a Gamma-Knife try and shrink, if not eliminate, the tumor that is in my head. One of the blessings of this treatment option is that it can be done concurrently with some of the immuno-therapy options and has shown a greater response to the cancer systemically. This particular form of radiation treatment will most likely be able to be done outpatient. Once we have clearer MRI imaging, Neurosurgery and Radiation Oncology with finalize a treatment plan to address what is going on in my skull.
From a Cancer side of things there are several treatment options that are being considered. At this point we are waiting to see what more complete body scans will reveal where and how fast the cancer is growing. It is looking like I will be getting at least one of the immunotherapy drugs that has been linked to dramatically improving prognosis odds over the past eight years since the development of this vein of treatment. Essentially immunotherapies kick your own immune system into overdrive to fight targeted cancer cells with less risk to harming healthy cells than chemotherapy. There are some specific markers on the cancer cells that these drugs will be targeting and will help the immune system avoid healthy, non-cancerous cells. Of course with any treatment there are the potential for side effects but side effects can be managed. Another potential drug option is if I have a specific genetic mutation that causes the melanoma cells to duplicate out of control. This drug then targets that reaction to inhibits the mutation form causing the cells to grow unchecked. If I have the particular mutation and it would be added to my treatment regiment which has shown very favorable outcomes.
And if nothing else it's not in my control. God has got this all under control and there is a method to His madness. I can't see what the big picture is but I know the final destination. My journey has just taken an unexpected turn. I am planning on embarking on the journey in faith and continue to fight til I'm told otherwise. It will be a tough and we plan to tackle this from all sides. I am young and relatively healthy other than the cancer. We know what it is, so now we can focus on fighting it. We don't know how I will respond to all of the treatment or how bad it will get but to some extent that is the nature of medicine. But at this point I'm up for the challenge to take this on. I am focused on staying positive and tackling the obstacles as they come, because nothing is out the hands of my Father.
Overall it has been steadily sinking in that this is my diagnosis (and not one of my patient's or a case study.) But as more information has come in I have been able to find progressive peace through all of this. It still does not feel real sometimes but that is normal. I have been overwhelmed by the love and support that have been showered on me and my family. I know that this has been a shock for everyone, and that I am being prayed to heaven and back again. So all I can say is thank you from the bottom of my heart.
As I have said before, I am not wanting to keep this private so feel free to share this website as much as you like. This platform will serve as the main information relay station for updates. Please feel free to keep in touch and I apologize in advance if you don't get a prompt, direct response from me. Just know that I am continuing to receive your love and support. I am eternally grateful and blessed to be able to have people to surround me as I embark of this journey.
Emily