In early Fall of 2014 I was living just north of you in Little River, SC, and had surgery in Myrtle Beach for a nasty and deep melanoma that had developed on my chest very quickly while I was on vacation in Vermont. At the time my daughter was working at the Northwestern University Medical Center in Chicago. She knew how serious my situation would be if the cancer metathesized, and "saved my life" by getting me out of Myrtle Beach to a highly recommended cancer specialist at MUSC in Charleston. I visited monthly for tests, screenings, etc., and in late Spring of 2015 got a call from my oncologist there to come back immediately after some imaging just the previous day.
He showed me the film, and what I can only describe as looking like "radioactive small yellow/orange jelly beans" showed up quite noticeably in my thyroid gland, larynx, and right hip. He explained that my melanoma cancer had metathesized into my system, and that I now had Stage Four melanoma cancer. I knew this was bad news, but asked him "in layman's terms, how bad". I will never forget his answer as he had to kind of compose himself before he replied "essentially, it means that you have a 50% chance of living 30-90 more days". He then paused and added the welcome word I'll never forget --- BUT. "But, there is one doctor I rely on if I have a situation that I want to discuss or just a second opinion that would be of value (remember my oncologist at MUSC was already very highly recommended). He continued, " His name is Asim Amin, and he is at the Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte, NC. They are doing some amazing things there developing new ways to treat cancer, especially deadly Stage Four melanoma cancer like you have".
Long story short, I was able to meet with Dr. Amin and enroll in a Clinical Trial involving what then was the new, experimental, Immune Therapy treatment for cancer which involves infusions that enable your own white cells to go after, and destroy, the cancer cells. It was effective, and very over the course of a couple years I experienced no new cancer and my cancer in all three areas became gradually necrotic and ultimately disappeared completely. I've been cancer free since 2017 or 2018 and am now 100% cured and in perfect health.
The takeaways for you that I'd like to pass along are several and all may or may not be applicable. I would take a good look at being treated at MUSC in Charleston vs. Myrtle Beach (I'd be dead if I hadn't listened to my daughter and switched doctors and hospitals). Be your own advocate --- read as much as you can about lung cancer and lung surgery and ask questions. Inquire about possible new, improved, approaches to treatments for your specific cancer and situation. Immune Therapy treatment works great on melanoma cancer and is now being used in other forms of cancer as well. I do not know if it is being used to effectively treat any forms of lung cancer. You will need a TEAM to share your ups and downs with you and offer their help and encouragement--- family, friends, and now your BWI family as well. Perhaps most important --- "attitude really is everything". Retain a positive attitude and focus on getting well and beating this disease --- don't even begin to think in any other terms.
My intent in telling my story isn't to "capture" your heartfelt post, but rather to let you know that it is amazing what is possible today in treating and beating cancer IF you have the right hospital and doctors, knowledge about your specific situation and cancer, an entire team offering encouragement and support, and the right attitude. You have just had an unexpected hurdle and a setback. You be damn sure to let Mr. Cancer know daily that he picked the wrong guy to mess with. I wish you the absolute best!
