Karissa Gingell
My Melanoma Journey: From Diagnosis to Survival
It all started with a routine visit to the gynecologist. During the exam, I noticed a mole on my right breast. It was black and purple, but I didn’t think much of it at first. However, my doctor took one look and said, “We need to remove it right away.” A few days later, I got the call. The biopsy results were in, and I was devastated to hear that it was positive for melanoma.
Immediately, I was referred to a dermatologist. The procedure to remove the mole involved around 45 stitches, and it was then that my doctor told me that if I were his daughter or niece, he’d recommend seeing a surgeon. So, I was referred to a breast surgeon who performed further surgery, removing more tissue and three lymph nodes. The first lymph node came back positive for cancer, meaning the melanoma had spread to my lymph nodes. This put me at stage 3, and I needed to start treatment right away.
I began a year of immunotherapy, specifically Opdivo, and after 13 treatments, I finally rang the bell—signifying the end of my treatment. I had to follow up with scans every six months with both my breast surgeon and oncologist to make sure the cancer didn’t return. Things were going well for four years, and I thought I was in the clear.
But then, it all changed.
I started experiencing intense back pain, which I initially thought was just a pulled muscle. However, the pain kept getting worse, to the point where I found myself lying on the floor at work. I went to urgent care, got X-rays, and had a CT scan, and that day changed everything for me. The doctor’s words, “I don’t know how to tell you this,” were enough to confirm my worst fear—my melanoma had spread.
It had spread to my liver, lungs, and even my bones. I remember sitting on the phone with my oncologist, both of us in shock at the news. A full PET scan showed that the cancer had spread throughout my entire body. There were nodules all over my head and neck that I had previously thought were just cysts—until they turned out to be cancer. The back pain I had been experiencing? It was caused by a tumor in my bone. That pain, in a way, ultimately saved my life.
To confirm it was melanoma and not another form of cancer, I had a biopsy done on my liver. The results came back positive for melanoma again. At 33 years old, with no children, I was faced with a difficult decision: freeze my eggs in case I wanted to have children later. But at that moment, my life was more important than my future plans.
I started double immunotherapy right away, combining Yervoy and Opdivo. I also underwent a radiation procedure called CyberKnife to shrink the tumor in my back. Along with this, I was referred to pain management, physical therapy, and other specialists to help with my diagnosis. It was all overwhelming, to say the least.
But then, in December 2024, I received the best Christmas gift I could have asked for: My cancer was no longer active. After just six months of treatment, my body had responded remarkably well. The first four months were incredibly difficult. I was nauseous, vomiting, and severely ill from the toxic effects of Yervoy, but I pushed through. One of the nurses called me a “miracle,” and that’s a moment I’ll never forget.
Now, my cancer is currently not active, and I have at least another year and a half on Opdivo to continue maintaining my remission. The back pain caused by the tumor, which eventually broke my bone, is still there, but it’s getting better each day. Slowly but surely, I’m returning to a normal life.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned through all of this, it’s to listen to your body. If something feels wrong, go to the doctor. Get your skin checked regularly. I was terrified of a stage 4 diagnosis, but it doesn’t have to be a death sentence. Just because cancer spreads to your organs doesn’t mean the fight is over.
Faith has also played a huge role in my journey. I truly believe that God took my hand in one of the hardest times of my life and guided me through it. He never gave up on me, and neither did I. So, my advice to anyone going through something similar is this: Keep your head up and keep pushing. Instead of asking, “Why me?” ask, “Why not me? Why can’t I be the one to overcome the odds and be a cancer survivor?”
This journey has taught me more than I could have ever imagined about strength, faith, and the will to live. I’m still here, still fighting, and still living—every single day.
