Just two days later, on October 26, I received a call from an unfamiliar number that I chose to ignore. When I listened to the voicemail, my heart dropped. “Katie, this is Dr. Kuohung. Please come to the office as soon as possible to discuss the biopsy results.” The dread enveloped me as I realized something was wrong. I rushed to the office, heart racing, desperate for answers.
“Your biopsy results show that the tumor we removed was melanoma,” the doctor stated. My mind went blank. Melanoma? Cancer? I was just 32 years old, pregnant, and a mother to a 2.5-year-old. My family—my husband, my mother, my siblings—needed me, and the thought of not being there for them was terrifying.
Trying to comprehend the gravity of the situation, I could barely inform my supervisor before leaving the office. I called my husband repeatedly, yearning for his support during such a tumultuous time. Once I was able to talk to the doctor again, she explained that the thickness of the melanoma classified it as stage 3. My mind was racing, and I struggled to absorb any information. I must have asked her dozens of times if I was going to die. She reassured me that this was just the beginning of understanding my diagnosis.
The doctor explained that a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy would be necessary to determine if cancer had spread. Additionally, I would need a wide local excision to remove more skin around the tumor to ensure all affected areas were treated. Thankfully, she examined my body and found no concerning lymph nodes.
Returning home, I was overwhelmed with grief and fear. As my husband brought our toddler home later, I felt a wave of emotion upon seeing her. I hugged her tightly, terrified of the thought of leaving her behind. I turned to Google to search for information about melanoma and its prognosis, which only heightened my anxiety.
My mother drove up from Connecticut to support me, reminding me how much I still craved her comfort even as an adult. After a harrowing week, my husband secured an appointment at Dana Farber Cancer Institute for November 3rd. Those days dragged on as I battled fear and uncertainty, often crying myself to sleep convinced I wouldn’t survive.
Finally, at Dana Farber, I met with the surgical oncologist. As he explained the next steps, I struggled to process his words. The urgency for surgery was alarming, and I was told I would need to be induced in just four days. The thought of having a baby while facing cancer was overwhelming.
Induction day arrived, and I was admitted to South Shore Hospital. The staff was incredibly supportive, and soon I welcomed my beautiful baby boy into the world. In the midst of all this darkness, he brought light and hope. My children became my motivation to fight.
A week after giving birth, I underwent surgery for the lymph node biopsy. The procedure involved injecting a radioactive dye to locate the sentinel lymph node, which would then be removed for testing. The fear of anesthesia was palpable; I had never had surgery before. Upon waking, I discovered a significant incision on my arm and multiple lymph nodes had been taken out. The recovery process was challenging, especially as I had to explain to my toddler why I couldn’t pick her up.
The support from friends, family, and even strangers was nothing short of remarkable. Meals were delivered, and my loved ones stepped in to help care for my children while I healed. Seventeen days later, I returned to Dana Farber for the results. My heart raced as I awaited the news. When the doctor walked in and said, “Well, everything was negative,” I felt an immense weight lift. The relief was overwhelming, and tears flowed freely as I realized I was going to be okay.
Moving forward, I will maintain regular check-ups at Dana Farber for the next few years and continue to monitor my health closely. This experience taught me the importance of cherishing life and appreciating every moment with my loved ones. Melanoma reshaped my outlook on life, and I urge everyone to be vigilant about their health—if something seems off, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice.
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In summary, my experience with melanoma was a life-altering wake-up call. I learned not to take my health for granted and to appreciate each day I have with my family.