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Jacqueline S.
City: Orlando, FL
Age: 32
Occupation: doctoral candiate... working on my dissertation!
Initial diagnosis: November 29, 2006
Progression and dates: Sickness has always surrounded me and on November 29, 2006, I learned it had finally engulfed me. At age 28, during the first semester of my doctoral program in sociology at Syracuse University, I was diagnosed with stage III melanoma. I was devastated. The lump I had detected in my bikini line almost a year and a half earlier was not the inflamed lymph node that my gynecologist assured me it was and it was not the result of some minor infection that my primary care provider's assistant diagnosed. It was a lymph node filled with cancer. Luckily, I followed my heart. My gynecologist stated, "it is nothing but an inflamed lymph node. If it doesn't bother you, don't bother it". But it did bother me. It was not painful but it was unsightly. It was firm and slowly growing. Therefore, I wanted this lump removed. Initially, I thought that the lump would be removed in the surgeon's office. However, upon feeling it he decided to perform a needle biopsy. The result? Melanoma.
But how could this be? I was not a fair skinned, middle aged Caucasian woman. I was the complete opposite. I was never a sun-worshipper and have never even entered a tanning salon. I spent all of those years performing breast self exams, watching my salt intake and praying to be saved from diabetes but never did I think I would become a skin cancer patient.
Following my diagnosis, I returned home to Orlando, Florida. I visited a number of doctors and specialists. On December 21, 2006, I was told it would be a miracle if I survived another five years. Needless to say, I spent the holiday season drowning in self pity and worry mixed with anger and resentment. Though none of us know when we will reach the end, most live everyday with the promise and hope for a new day. However, receiving a cancer diagnosis quickly forces one to face their mortality.
Fortunately, with the New Year came new resolve. I was not going to abandon my dreams. I was not going to let this disease consume every aspect of my life. I decided to fight. I began to research every aspect of melanoma: the disease, surgeries, treatments, treatment centers and specialists. Every doctor that I contacted recommended I seek treatment at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. It was there I was given hope. My surgical oncologist stated that while he could not determine my life expectancy, if I did not have the cancerous lymph nodes removed; there was a high possibility that cancer (melanoma) would kill me.
On March 29, 2007, I had a total right groin lymhphanedectomy. I completed a year of interferon therapy (a form of immunotherapy in which I had to self administer weekly injections) and 3 months of radiation treatment. Today, I am thankful to say I am cancer free.
Since my diagnosis, I have made it a priority to reach out to those who believe the sun poses no threat. I never see darker skinned people or younger people on the at-risk list for melanoma. Melanoma diagnoses among those aged 20-29 are on the rise and it is currently the leading cause of cancer death for women in that age group, yet there remains an air of invincibility among this group. Besides sun protection, early detection is the key to survival. It is my hope that through my story I might be able to save a life.
Prior to my diagnosis, I never thought that melanoma was a "serious" cancer. When most people hear of my diagnosis, they assume I simply had a cancerous mole removed. Few are aware of effects advanced staged melanoma. I had 16 lymph nodes removed. I have an eight inch surgical scar on my right groin and I have a larger radiation scar which creates a frame around the surgical scar. I have dots permanently tattooed on my right groin marking the radiation site. I have two scars on my abdomen marking the sight in which I had to administer my interferon injections. Advanced melanoma is anything but minor.
Had it not been for my persistence, my prognosis would not be as favorable. Coupled with the quality care I received at Moffitt, I am alive and thriving. My physicians at Moffitt encouraged me to not only hold onto my dreams and goals but also pursue them. Immediately following my treatment, I returned to Syracuse to complete my doctoral studies. Moffitt helped me to experience stage III melanoma as a bump in the road rather than a derailment and for that, I will be eternally grateful.
Current status: cancer free (according to Dr. DeConti)
