Theresa Dotson Alexander
My name is Theresa Dotson Alexander. I am a 3 time melanoma warrior. I was first diagnosed in 2002 from a mole on my left arm. They dug it out, stitched me up and left what I like to call a “shark bite”. It truly looks like a large animal tried to bite my arm off! I was given no other information at that time. Looking back, I know now how amazing my primary care doctor had to have been to notice it.
In 2006, six months to the day after I got married to my husband, Brian, the surgeon dug out several lymph nodes filled with melanoma from my left armpit. Again, this was found by a primary care doctor who was doing a check up. I was assigned a KU oncologist and was told I was to have Brian inject me with Interferon three times a week. “We would like for people to do this for a year, but this medication has such terrible side effects, most don’t last six months. The longer, the better.” I took this as a dare and did a year of it. I felt like I had the flu for 365 days. I was angry and not very nice to live with and I am surprised Brian stuck around! 😊
Melanoma can be considered cured after 10 years after your last treatment without any reoccurrence. So, in 2017, we had a party to celebrate being cured of melanoma! Brian and I made gifts for our closest friends celebrating this journey.
In July of 2019, I had pain in my left armpit. I had been lifting weights, doing CrossFit and assumed I had pulled a muscle because it hurt. I went to my primary care doctor and she said she couldn’t feel anything. I decided to lower the intensity of my workouts in hopes of the pain decreasing. To no avail. Then there was a lump. I went for a fine needle aspiration and, sure enough, melanoma had sneaked back into my life. I was devastated. Brian was devastated. My best friend was not; she made a “decision” I would go through treatments and it would be gone. Although I appreciated her optimism, I knew that it was not going to be an easy fix. Soon, I was introduced to my new oncologist, Dr. Ravindra Chuda at KU Lee’s Summit Cancer Center. We clicked immediately. I was happy to hear I would not be taking interferon; I had said ever since I stopped taking it that I would never take it again no matter what. He explained I would receive infusions of immunotherapy called Keytruda. I started Keytruda and before my surgery in December of 2019, I could literally feel tumors growing in armpit and chest area. I was, needless to say, freaked out. Only those who have been there can understand that level of fear. Dr. Mamman of KU was my surgeon and he removed 25-30 lymph nodes from my armpit and brachial plexus (behind my chest bone). I continued Keytruda. In March of 2020, Dr. Chuda and I decided I would have radiation. I did 21 rounds of it. My scans were looking good! We were pleased. In June of 2020, we were leaving for a weekend trip with friends when I was asked to go see Dr. Chuda after a set of scans that week. We explained we could not, but would like to talk to him on the phone. He sadly proceeded to tell me the tumors had spread to my lungs and trachial area. I had been coughing uncontrollably, but think I was in denial that something was going on. We proceeded with our trip and did not tell our friends before the trip; we waited until after. I will tell you, I had so much fun! I knew if I had told them before everyone would have been sad and not been themselves. I do not regret waiting to tell them. I was then put on Tafinlar and Mekinist, chemotherapy pills. Dr. Chuda said most people cannot do 100% dosage. Again, I took this as a dare. I took 100% and failed. I lot my eyesight, I had terrible chills and ended up in kidney failure. Ultimately, I was hospitalized. Again, we were headed on a trip to see friends and he said if my kidneys did not start working, I could not go (obviously). Thankfully, they did. We went. I took a week off the chemotherapy pills. Upon our return, I had to go get my quarterly MRI and CT scans. When we returned for the results, Dr. Chuda was, again, sad. Although the tumors were shrinking in my armpit and chest area, I now had them in my brain. I felt like the world dropped out from under me. He put me back on the Tafinlar and Mekinist at 75% dosage. He waited a few weeks and sent me for another MRI and CT scans. There was NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE! All of the tumors were gone! What??!!
I have learned that Dr. Chuda is more quiet when he has bad news. This time he was chatty. He was so happy!
As of February 2022, I have been in remission for 14 months. No Evidence of Disease (NED) for 14 months! Boy, I love NED!
There are several reasons I am in remission:
- Dr. Chuda and the KU team of professionals who have a passion for curing and treating melanoma. I do what I am asked to do. I also ask questions and advocate for my own healthcare all of the time.
- I reduced my stress by, probably, 75%. It was hard, but I did it and I know that has helped my body heal.
- I don’t know what you believe and I am still working out what I believe. I know I DO believe that positive and healing energy going in the same direction produces results-whether you call that prayer or something else. I have a Tribe of people. They are called Theresa’s Tribe. Their love and support and thoughts and genuine prayers have assisted in this ongoing process.
- My husband and my son who are unbelievably supportive and patient.
- I have chosen an attitude of positivity and gratitude. I am not saying every day has been rainbows and lollipops, but I have made a conscious choice of having a good sense of humor and finding ways to smile about something.
I continue to take 75% dosage of Mekinist and Taflinar. Dr. Chuda says most people cannot handle 75%. I just tell him I’m not most people. I will take it for as long as it works. And when and if it stops working, I know he and I will find something else. I get lab work every month. I have an MRI and CT scans every three months. I have found new purpose for my life. Actually, I’ve had the opportunity to do many new things that I never thought I’d do.
Melanoma is a jerk. It has no boundaries. It will do what it damn well wants to. So please get your skin checked often and wear your sunscreen.
