Patient Stories

Rob  Stauffer

Navigating Metastatic Melanoma and Finding a New Purpose

My name is Rob and my melanoma journey began in May 2015 with a skin check of my right ear by my wife and a follow up visit to my general physician. The Stage 1B positive test from the shave biopsy resulted in the surgical resection of my right ear, negative sentinel lymph node biopsy, and plastic surgery of my ear and cartilage. I felt blessed that the prognosis looked great, and I had no significant damage. After my surgery I had my skin checked by a dermatologist quarterly, annually by my general physician, and monthly by myself and partner. I immediately returned to work and continued to enjoy my passions of being in the mountains – hiking, fishing and travelling outdoors, with adjustments in skin care preventions, such as living by the five sun safe rules (sunscreen, seeking shade, sun protective clothing, hat, and sunglasses). Life really continued as it did in the past – normal.

In the summer of 2018, I started to experience some minor vision and speech issues and followed up these issues with my general physician for a few months. These issues continued and in November I was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma in the brain and lung. I was treated at the University of Alberta Hospital surgically with a craniotomy and gamma knife. I then had immunotherapy treatment at the Cross Cancer Institute with Opdivo (nivolumab) and Yervoy (ipilimumab). The decision was to be treated with Nivo and Ipi, a decision that saved my life. When I reflect back now, I really did not understand the challenges ahead. I have learned that each person is unique, and you don’t necessarily take the same route in therapies and treatments. I did have some bad side effects, and the treatment was shut down. My immune system was in full throttle. Hepatitis, pneumonitis, and edema were the main side effects. The good news is that my immune system was working. I was able to recover with some steroid treatment. My oncologist was able to reduce the impact of the side effects, still allowing the immunotherapy to address the cancer. I kept working. The immunotherapy program started again and after a month, I continued with just Nivo. However, a few months later I had some further side effects and my treatment needed to be shut down again. I was also ill. I tried to work but it was impossible. Since then, I have had no further immunotherapy treatment, no increase in my tumours and have started on another journey of my “re-invention.” I feel fortunate to have been treated by such wonderful doctors and to be alive.

My journey to address some of the secondary effects of my medical treatments continues. As a rural Alberta resident continuing my medical, health and healing journey, I appreciate participating in Melanoma Canada’s melanoma and skin cancer patient support group to learn more about other people’s experiences, to assist where possible in improving others’ health outcomes and experiences and to focus on my health, healing and enjoying life.

I’m a trained volunteer with Melanoma Canada’s Peer-to-Peer Support Program. I’m happy to share my experience, listen, and offer support in any way I can as you navigate your journey with melanoma. Sometimes, connecting with someone who understands what you’re going through can make all the difference.

You can learn more about this program and how to connect with a peer volunteer here: https://melanomacanada.ca/support-and-resources/peer-to-peer-support-program/