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Joyhitch

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Bio

My primary melanoma was on my scalp in 2014, stage 0 with a small portion stage 1. It came back in my neck lymph nodes in April of 2017. I had a modified radical neck dissection, 4 positive nodes, then 6 radiation treatments. I had 4 Keytruda infusions, progressed to my liver. Then had radioembolization to treat one side of the liver successfully. I was tested for BRAF and found to be positive. I was put on one of the BRAF/MEK inhibitor combinations. After one week had an adverse reaction (high fever, rash, tachycardia, hypotension) requiring hospitalization. After a few months to recovery time placed on the other BRAF/MEK inhibitor combination and eventually had rash and fevers again. I was put on Opdivo/Yervoy combination for 3 treatments. At some point over the past few months it has progressed to my brain (50+ small mets), several places in my bones, worsened in my liver, and a couple of spots in my lung. Now I have just started the newly released Braftovi/Mektovi combination and will have whole brain radiation for brain mets.

Display Name

Joyhitch

I am

the patient

Initial Diagnosis Month

October

Initial Diagnosis Year

2014

Stage at Diagnosis

Stage 1

Current Stage

Stage 4

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