Devin's Fight Against Melanoma

I would just like to start off by saying that my family and I wish to thank everyone for all of their support. Nothing about our journey has been easy - financially, physically, or emotionally. Without our family and friends I can only imagine that all of this would be far too much for us to handle and we will never forget that.

In 2011, I was pregnant with our third child, working full-time, attending college courses online, all while also trying my best to be a good mom, spouse, and manage a household. Needless to say my plate was pretty full and I didn't sleep much, but I wanted the best for my family and was willing to put in the work necessary to make that happen.


Not far into my pregnancy, my fiance and I noticed that an existing mole on my back began to grow larger and darker. My physician told us that it wasn't uncommon for moles to change during pregnancy and that it was probably hormones causing the change. That explanation was initially good enough for us; however, as the mole continued to change we grew concerned and decided that we should have it removed once my daughter was born. A few months later and my family was blessed with a healthy baby girl, just in time for Christmas, and we were so happy. 

Unfortunately, the biopsy performed on the mole that was removed from my back came back positive for Melanoma. After a whirlwind of doctors appointments, scans, and surgeries we learned that my disease had spread to my lymph nodes under both my arms and it was now clear that I had stage IIIC Melanoma. Although the axillary lymph nodes under both my arms were taken out and a wide excision removed the marginal tissue from my back, there was still a very good chance for reoccurance, so I proceeded with adjuvant immunotherapy.


After a year of treatment, a scan showed that I had developed a new complication in my lungs. So, after a couple operations to biopsy the tissue, doctors confirmed that I had developed a new disorder - Adult Pulmonary Langerhans' Cell Histiocytosis (PLCH). This news was not great, but we were happy that we did not discover lung metastasis. We also learned that it was probable that this new condition would resolve itself in time, so my oncologist and I together decided that I had received the maximum benefit I could from the immunotherapy.

For about another year I was still in remission and things were looking well. I was actually approaching milestones in my treatment plan and I was looking forward to less doctor appointments and hopeful that I could even return to school soon. It was nice to think that maybe this whole ordeal could just be part of our past.


Unfortunately, after a follow-up scan in September of 2014 we were devastated to learn that the Melanoma had spread to my lungs. This time the course of treatment called for radiation, and two different forms of immunotherapy that were better suited for my advanced stage IV disease. Thankfully the radiation effectively targeted the tumor on my lung; however, since then a new tumor has formed on my liver and nodules on my lungs which suggest that the PLCH has worsened from the cancer treatments.  

We are still hopefull. In February I began a new treatment plan, a BRAF targeted therapy to attack the specific form of Melanoma that I have. It is also  likely that I will need further treatment within the following months, but for now we're just taking it day by day, hoping that something works.

I have always tried my best to focus on getting well and maintained a mindset that I would overcome this disease. It has been very important to me that I don't allow cancer to take anything away from me and that I should stay strong. However, lately I have come to realize that I cannot be the person, the mother, or the wife that I want and need to be if I don't allow myself to slow down and get well.  


As anyone could imagine, Jesse and I have needed to take time off work to manage the appointments, therapy, surgeries, and side effects of this horrible ordeal. Although I have worked through almost all of this, I have been home on medical leave since February. I never wanted to ask for help, but I have also learned that I must humble myself and accept the fact that this is too big for us to handle, and that it's okay to allow others to help.

My family and I greatly appreciate any assistance that will help us in our fight against Melanoma. Please keep positive thoughts for our family as we want nothing more than to survive this. Thank you so much, it means the world to us.