One Saturday morning, Banks was brushing his teeth when his wife, Johanna, noticed a new stain: a freckle? – on the back.

“It had bubbled up a little bit and it just didn’t look right,” he recalled. It wasn’t a mole, but as Banks pointed out, “You also have to watch out for freckles.” »

Monday morning, Banks encountered a surgeon… Dr. Eric Mallico – and expressed his concern to him. They entered an office and Banks took off his shirt. Mallico took a look and suggested acting quickly.

The spot first noticed on a Saturday was removed – and a sample sent for biopsy – on Tuesday. Then the results came back on MyChart a few days later.

“I tell you: I was not ready to read what I saw on the screen: Malignant melanoma, stage 2B.”

Mallico told him he would have to undergo a second, more complex procedure. This required a wide excision or removal.

“With melanoma, you have to check the lymphatic system to see if the cancer has gotten in there,” Banks explained.

Mallico cut out four lymph nodes and sent them to pathology.

“It was 3 millimeters deep,” Banks said. “At 4 millimeters, it affects the lymph nodes. So I missed having stage 3 (more serious) melanoma by only 1 millimeter.

Suddenly the healer needed healing.

“It was crazy to think that I now needed the operating room myself,” he said. “But I know the capabilities of this facility and its staff, and I wouldn’t have gone anywhere else.”

He and Johanna had to miss a trip he won to the Turks and Caicos Islands because of his surgery. But their consolation prize was flying to Banks’ happy place: an RV they keep at the beach.

About nine days after four lymph nodes were removed from her armpits – a painful waiting period – Banks discovered her lymph nodes. were not impacted. “I thought: Praise God. Now I can relax.

Immunotherapy as insurance

Even though Banks’ lymph nodes were clear, he had not completed his treatment.

Mallico told him he would reduce the risk of recurrence by undergoing immunotherapy, which Banks described as “supercharging your immune system to recognize cancer cells so your immune system goes after them and kicks them out.” It’s a kind of insurance policy.

Mallico referred him to an oncologist/hematologist Dr. William Brinkley of Novant Health Cancer Institute – Rowansaying, “To him I will go.”

“With stage 2B melanoma, the risk of recurrence is 15 percent after five years and 20 percent after 10 years,” Brinkley said. “Based on Cale’s stage and risk level, I recommended immunotherapy – every three weeks for a year – rather than the other option, which is simply monitoring.”

He also discussed the potential side effects of Keytruda infusions. Inflammation anywhere in the body is a concern, as are colitis, hepatitis, arthritis, dermatitis “and anything that ends in -itis,” he joked. “It can affect thyroid function, pituitary gland and electrolytes. But in general, the risks are low.

Immunotherapy does not cause the serious side effects that chemotherapy can have. Experienced banks No side effects.

And his oncologist made it even easier. “Dr. Brinkley is fantastic,” he said. “He wants to know everything about you. I felt really good about his treatment plan.

Still, people encouraged Banks to talk to another doctor — for her peace of mind. He sought a second opinion from Charlotte, wondering midway whether cancer care in a “big city” would be different from Salisbury. The recommendations were identical and he was thrilled to be able to receive care close to home.

How far? “I just crossed the street” to reach the hospital, he said.

Big city care in a small town

“The entire staff at Rowan Cancer Institute is phenomenal,” he added. “I became friends with the people there. And the installation itself is magnificent. It’s impeccable. Salisbury may not be Charlotte, and we’re not Atlanta or New York, but we have the same capabilities.

Brinkley said that with a few exceptions — like bone marrow transplants, which are not offered at the Rowan Cancer Institute — patients can expect the same care in Salisbury as they do in Charlotte.

And besides, he added: “Being part of the Novant Health network means cancer patients get the most out of our collective knowledge. Our tumor committee meets regularly to discuss patients in all of our markets. This means patients can be physically located anywhere in our region and benefit from oncologists and other specialists throughout our network.

And central Rowan County even has some perks you won’t find everywhere. Individual infusion rooms, for example.

“When designing this center,” Brinkley said, “the staff talked about the importance of giving cancer patients some privacy and a sense of security during their treatment.”

Banks never dreaded her IVs.

“You can sit in a recliner and watch TV,” he said. “I actually found it relaxing. I would put some music in my headphones and take a 30 minute nap. And then they wake me up and I’m done.

Most evenings he went to his bowling league right after the infusion.

The consequences of cancer

Banks and his wife love the beach, especially the Caribbean. He would apply sunscreen at the start of the day and never think about it again. “Our last vacation was different,” he said. “I don’t want to be Mr. Tan anymore. I’m the guy in the big floppy hat who reapplies sunscreen every hour.

Brinkley applauds the new mindset. Melanoma is associated with sun exposure, he said.

Another difference: banks will now carry out a skin test every year. He had never needed a dermatologist before. Now he has a doctor who knows his history and will be vigilant for anything unusual.

He will also continue to see Brinkley. The oncologist closely monitors his patients after the end of treatment. He will see Banks every three months for two years. After that, he will see him every six months until the fifth year. At this point, banks will move to annual checks.

Does Banks look at surgical patients differently now that he’s one?

Not really. “We always strive to give everyone the best care possible,” he said. “Here, everyone is a VIP. »