Nancy Fyler, Stage IV

In Feb. 2020, I was diagnosed with melanoma. I was otherwise very healthy and active, so the diagnosis was a shock. My initial surgery happened just as COVID hit, and everyone was freaking out. I couldn’t bring anyone with me to the hospital, and for my first year of immunotherapy treatments, my husband had to drop me off and wait in the car. It was a strange, lonely time, but my oncology team was amazing, and I’m so grateful for them.

I began treatment with nivolumab (Opdivo), and for 14 months and had no issues. But then, the cancer metastasized to my lungs. After a biopsy, I was switched to a combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab (ipi/nivo). Unfortunately, I had a severe allergic reaction in Oct. 2021, requiring a two-week hospital stay with multiple “itis” (inflammation) and a blood disorder. I lost 20 lbs, muscle mass, and couldn’t walk. After being discharged, I had to rebuild my strength to walk again.

In Dec. 2021, I had a TIA (mini-stroke), but I recovered well. That same month, I was home with a 103° fever for a week, but the doctors didn’t want me in the hospital because of COVID. My oncology nurse, Patty, became my best friend, calling me every day to check in. I was so grateful for her care during that scary time.

Over the past few years, I’ve had dozens of IVs and blood tests; lung, liver, and bone marrow biopsies; multiple surgeries; and several hospitalizations. Somehow, you just get used to it.

After the Oct. hospitalization, my doctor switched me off ipi/nivo and put me on Mektovi and steroids as a bridge until Opdualag was FDA-approved. (The steroids caused very bad cataracts, and in Nov./Dec. 2024, I had surgery to replace both lenses. My vision is now great.)

In June 2022, I was switched to Opdualag and started feeling better. I was able to walk 4 miles round trip to my lake again, something I hadn’t been able to do for a while.

However, my battle with cancer wasn’t over. I developed eight brain metastases and a few spots in my liver. We named the eight brain mets, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Luckily, six of them disappeared but in Feb. and July 2024, I needed brain surgery and radiation to remove the remaining two mets (Grumpy & Dopey). Thankfully, the procedures went smoothly, and I was feeling better with no major complications.

Then, on Feb. 10, 2025, I started slurring my speech. I went to the ER, and doctors diagnosed me with aphasia and put me on anti-seizure medication. They’re not sure why I have this but possibly from the brain surgeries. I’m uncertain what comes next, but I continue to fight and stay hopeful. Who would have ever guessed that this could all come from a tiny spot of skin cancer?

Nancy Fyler
Stage IV Melanoma Survivor
Date of Diagnosis: 02/14/2020
Sharon, Massachusetts