In October 2023, Dale started experiencing pain in her stomach. She was getting ready to leave for vacation and didn’t want to be sick while she was gone, so she made an appointment to see her primary care physician. She had a CT scan, which revealed a large mass in her stomach. The stomach pain worsened to the point where she couldn’t keep any food down and was vomiting frequently.
Surgeons at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital removed a 4”x5” mass from Dale’s stomach. They sent tissue to Cleveland Clinic to be analyzed, and the results shocked Dale and her doctors.
“It was melanoma. I couldn’t believe it – I saw my dermatologist regularly, and I didn’t have skin cancer. I didn’t understand how I could have had melanoma,” Dale recalled.
She was diagnosed with an exceptionally rare spindle cell melanoma (malignant melanoma of the fundus of the stomach), which had originated directly in her stomach lining instead of metastasizing from a primary melanoma on her body. She was referred to Dr. Jon Richards, an oncologist at Advocate Lutheran General.
“I started immunotherapy immediately to boost my immune system so it could better find and destroy cancer cells,” said Dale. “Within a week or so I returned to Dr. Richards with more stomach pain. I had another tumor, so he started me on medication to shrink the cancer. Six months later, I had a second surgery to remove the mass and to repair an incisional hernia from the first surgery.”
Dale continued immunotherapy for six months after the second surgery. She also attended the Cancer Survivorship Center at the hospital. The Center provides patient-centered care through comprehensive, holistic support for patients, family members and caregivers throughout their journey.
Today, Dale is cancer free. Grateful for the care she received, Dale made a charitable donation to support Infusion Services and Cancer Survivorship at Advocate Lutheran General.
“The Cancer Survivorship Center is a fantastic resource. I met with a nutritionist who helped me with healthy eating; I had massage therapy and reflexology. They also have online classes like chair yoga and qigong in which I participate.”
Dale designated her gifts in honor of her doctor.
“I believe that God has given Dr. Richards the knowledge and ability to treat cancer patients like me during this difficult time in our lives,” she shared. “Dr. Richards went above and beyond for me during every step of my journey. I believe I’m here because of him.”
How you can help
Resources like the Cancer Survivorship Center would not be available to cancer survivors without the generosity of donors like Dale. Please make a gift today.