North Vancouver, B.C.
In 2003, a year after being told that a lump on my left arm was benign, I felt further discomfort and doctors decided the lump should be removed – after originally having a misdiagnosis, it turned out the lump was positive and I was diagnosed with Stage 4 malignant melanoma. In 2005, the cancer had propagated into my left lung, kidney, liver, and adrenal gland.
Having received the only available treatment option in B.C at the time, my prognosis was not good and I was given six months to live. With limited support from the medical community, my family researched options and we were able to find a trial treatment. After completion of the drug protocol, the tumors diminished. But, then in 2007 a 9 cm mass was found in my bowel.
After surgery, I was put on a new clinical trial. After completing the treatment, a PET scan showed a small tumor in my right kidney. Given my medical history, it was decided that the kidney be removed in January of 2009. Since 2009 I have been cancer free. Today, I am a little scarred…a little worn…but ALIVE and living an incredibly healthy, happy life.
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