12/02/2024
In June I was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer which had metastasized throughout my body and brain. The doctors weren’t able to find the source. After two weeks of waiting at Beth Israel the biopsy came back as a very rare form of Melanoma, called Melanoma of Unknown Primary.
I had been wonderfully taken care of at Beth Israel, but decided to get a second opinion at Dana-Farber, one of the best cancer hospitals in the world. We made the call on a Monday, met with the doctor who would become my amazingly brilliant Oncologist on Wednesday and started my first treatment of Immunotherapy on Friday. They are truly amazing!
These last six months have been a complete roller coaster ride, I will spare the details, but tell you that after three rounds of immunotherapy and a few months of targeted therapy, I feel like life is finally heading in the right direction and I’m feeling hopeful.
With my new cancer diagnosis, I feel like I have a new purpose to spread awareness of Melanoma in hopes that everyone will visit their dermatologist and get a total body skin exam (TBSE) a comprehensive visual inspection of the skin, scalp nails, and mucous membranes. In light of my diagnosis I have decided to focus Cape Codfish primarily on UPF 50+ protection clothing, we have a Spring line coming, so keep your eye out!
In addition we at Cape Codfish want to give back to an amazing nonprofit I just became a part of here on the Cape called Cape Wellness collaborative, founded by local musician, Sarah Swain. They work with a team of outstanding local wellness professionals to provide free of charge Integrative wellness therapies to those facing cancer on Cape Cod and the islands as well, as providing meals, handcrafted by culinary Director, Chris Shortall and a team of skilled volunteers in the kitchen of the west end in Hyannis. I can say firsthand the meals are amazingly delicious, and so incredibly appreciated!
Please go see your dermatologist, it could quite literally save your life. If something positive come from all of this, it will make my fight so much more meaningful.
