Six Months Later

/ Dr. Lee Bryant

My Cancer Journey Continues

Dr. Bryant in the infusion center

Six months ago, on July 16, 2021, as a surgeon, I biopsied my own right thumb nailbed because I was suspicious for melanoma.  Just a few days later, on July 21, 2021, I received a call from one of our pathologists that melanoma was confirmed, an acral melanoma, which is an aggressive type. The tumor was also very deep, typically a sign of advanced disease and decreased survival rates. For those of you who have been following my cancer journey, you know that my life changed suddenly at that time. I underwent amputation of half of my dominant right-hand thumb, underwent a sentinel node biopsy, and now am receiving a year long course of infusions of a drug called Keytruda. As a physician, I tried to explain these procedures in earlier blogs to help other melanoma patients understand the process better. My life has also changed in many ways to a simpler life, focusing more on wellness and spiritual transformation. So where are we now?

Six Months Later and Some Good News!

This week was a big week for me. I underwent CT scans of my chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Lots of friends and family were praying for me because there were some small liver lesions that were found on my last set of scans. However, the great news, and answered prayer, is that those lesions were stable and unchanged! Overall, there is no evidence of any metastatic disease (recurrent tumor) in my chest, abdomen, or pelvis. My scans are clear…except for healing rib fractures related to the bike wreck I wrote about 2 blogs ago! I am doing well 6 months out from my diagnosis! All my lab work came back normal as well, with some values improving with my new anti-cancer diet and exercise regimen (more to come).

Infusion Time

After the imaging on Wednesday of this week, I had another infusion of Keytruda on Thursday.  This is my 6th infusion out of ten planned infusions.  I had a blood draw and three separate IVs this week (one infiltrated), so my arms look like a war zone. And there is nothing like getting cancer therapy in the middle of a pandemic. I see many Covid positive patients each week in my own clinic, and one concern I had was potentially getting Covid from one of them, which would delay my treatment. But all went well, and I continue to tolerate my infusions well without any of the serious complications associated with this medication.

 Moving Forward

Unless you have experienced it, it is hard to describe how the diagnosis of cancer impacts one’s life. It is hard to describe the anxiety of the night before further testing, and the feeling you have laying there in the scanner wondering what the imaging is discovering. It not only affects you, but also the lives of those around you: your family, your friends, your coworkers. My wife Kellee and both of our families have felt the emotional impact of my diagnosis. Those of you who follow this blog continue to walk through this journey with me and support me. My relationship with my patients has deepened, and I have learned the power of the human body to adapt, helping me to return to the clinic and the operating room. God continues to give me the mental, physical, and emotional strength to ride out this stormy season of my life. He has drawn me closer to Him, to a different way of life more focused on things of eternal worth. He has given me this platform, and a testimony. I hope that my thoughts, words, and actions moving forward are pleasing to Him.

So many people have reached out and touched me with their love and warmth. Just this week, Sally, mother of our son-in-law, brought Kellee and I dinner after my infusion; and one of my nurses, Kerri, made some of my favorite treats as well. It amazes me the generosity that continues many months after my diagnosis.  I pledge to do the same for others going through difficult seasons in their lives.

Coming up, I plan to share some aspects of my anti-cancer diet.  I will also share some generalized medical advice, based on sound science, for those fighting cancer and for those interested in healthier lifestyles and preventing cancer.   I also plan to share some patient stories. Thanks for following my story in real time as it continues to unfold.

23 thoughts on “Six Months Later”

  3. This Fentress family is proud of you and praying for your continued healing!!! We so relate to all you are going thru and we praise God for Bobby’s great 6month ck up!!!Love and prayers for your family!!!! Jennie Fentress 🥰🥰

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    • Your family is so kind! Bobby has been such an inspiration and blessing to me. I am praying that we both continue to have good checkups. He has comforted me since he has already been through the exact same treatment for the same diagnosis.

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  6. what do the liver lesions mean? biopsy? Nobody will ever fully understand the day in day out journey of the diagnosis of cancer until they have been diagnosed! I do and I am here anytime you need to talk. You will feel at peace bc of Gods love, but it still remains a roller coaster for what your family will feel and I totally remember that anxiety I had for them at each checkup if a new lesion shows up even after I was fully at peace for myslef. Sincerely,

    Matthew Lee 

    Sent from my iPhone / iPad

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    • I had some scattered very small liver lesions that have not changed on this round of scans compared to last. They have no worrisome features, and my doctors think they are just small cysts or nodules not related to my cancer, which is great news! Thanks for being on this roller coaster with me!

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  7. Lee,
    My daughter Courtney just saw this and told Robert and I about you. Please know that we will be lifting you and Kellee up in prayer. I’m so sorry your going through this. Please know you will be in our thoughts and prayers. Our oldest, Brooke was diognosed with HLH in Nov. 2017 but is doing awesome now. I know it turned your world upside down. The Lord’s power and love will get you through this. In His Grace, Annette and Robert Bishop

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  8. Your story is nothing short of amazing. Seeing how you have taken these circumstances and turned them in to a way of reaching beyond yourself shows that we absolutely can choose our perspective in any circumstance. God is written all over this beautiful testimony. To say I am proud to know you is a serious understatement.

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  10. Holly and I have followed your progress since your first blog. You will never know the impact of all the prayers that have been lifted on your behalf. But I sense you are seeing the results of those prayers daily. Knowing that your days (and nights) are full we have been part of the silent ones who lift you, Kellee, and the family up. But today I wanted to just say we love you guys and pray for your lasting recovery.

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