Nurse Support for Stage IV Melanoma: Ted’s Story
Ted's Story
For Ted, retirement was never about slowing down.
After leaving work at 60, he quickly realised he needed something meaningful to fill his days. A conversation with a friend led him to community volunteering, and before long he became deeply involved with the Rotary Club.
Today, Ted supports a range of healthcare projects in Cambodia and Vietnam, from cataract treatment programs to cervical cancer prevention and HPV vaccination initiatives.
Looking back, he wishes he had discovered volunteering sooner.
“I should have started doing this 50 years ago,” he says.
The work gives him purpose, perspective, and a strong sense of connection, qualities that would become especially important when he was diagnosed with melanoma.
A Stage IV Melanoma Diagnosis Journey
Early in 2025, he noticed a small lump on the side of his neck. At first, it seemed insignificant.
His doctor suggested it could simply be a swollen lymph node, something that often settles with time. They agreed to monitor it for a few weeks.
But the lump had other plans.
Within three weeks it had grown dramatically, increasing from the size of a pea to roughly the size of a table tennis ball.
A biopsy confirmed melanoma.
Ted was referred to the Cancer Centre at Westmead Hospital, where further blood tests and scans were arranged. While his bloodwork remained consistently normal, imaging revealed melanoma involving his parotid gland, a major salivary gland located near the jaw and neck.
The news of metastatic malignant melanoma came as a shock. Further investigations followed, along with consultations, scans and discussions about treatment options.
As the reality of the diagnosis settled in, emotions that he hadn’t expected began to surface.
“As I went through appointments with the surgeon and oncologist, I became emotional,” he says. “You start thinking about what’s next.”
Navigating Treatment, Recovery and Unexpected Challenges
Ted’s treatment journey began with immunotherapy.
He was prescribed pembrolizumab, receiving infusions every three weeks before eventually transitioning to a six-weekly treatment schedule. In total, he underwent eleven treatment sessions.
At the same time, life delivered another obstacle.
While helping at a Rotary fundraising sausage sizzle for one of the Cambodian healthcare projects, Ted slipped in wet conditions and dislocated his ankle.
His recovery required six weeks in a moon boot, making everyday life significantly more challenging just as his melanoma treatment began.
Fortunately, his sister stepped in to help. She stayed with him during his recovery and drove him to hospital appointments when he was unable to manage on his own.
The support allowed Ted to stay focused on treatment while dealing with the practical challenges of limited mobility.
In June, surgeons successfully removed the melanoma from the parotid gland.
One aspect of Ted’s diagnosis remained a mystery. Despite multiple scans and ongoing surveillance, doctors were never able to identify the original location of the melanoma.
“They couldn’t find where it started,” Ted explains. “They only knew where it showed up.”
Since surgery, regular PET scans every two to three months have continued to monitor his progress, and so far those scans have shown no sign of recurrence.
Finding Nurse Support through Melanoma Patients Australia
Throughout his melanoma journey, Ted quickly learned that treatment is about more than surgery, scans and medications. The emotional side of a cancer diagnosis can be just as challenging.
As he navigated appointments with surgeons and oncologists, there were moments when the reality of having melanoma felt overwhelming.
“You start thinking about what’s next,” Ted says. “As things progressed, I found myself becoming emotional at times.”
Recognising the importance of psychological support, the administration team at Westmeade Hospital arranged several Zoom sessions with a psychologist. Ted found the opportunity to talk openly about his experience helpful, allowing him to process feelings and concerns that are often difficult to share with family and friends.
Shortly afterwards, the cancer centre also connected him with Melanoma Patients Australia (MPA).
Ted received a call from MPA’s Telehealth Nurse Manager, who took the time to talk through his diagnosis, treatment, and overall experience. What stood out most wasn’t just the clinical knowledge; it was speaking with someone who understood melanoma and the challenges that come with it.
“We just had a general conversation about my melanoma and everything that happened,” Ted recalls. “It was good to get a few things off my chest.”
Living alone made those conversations even more important. While family and friends provided support, there were times when Ted appreciated having someone who understood the medical side of melanoma as well as the emotional impact.
“Talking to friends is fine, but they don’t necessarily know what to say because they haven’t experienced it themselves,” he explains. “It was reassuring talking to somebody who knew what they were talking about.”
For Ted, the call wasn’t about finding solutions to every problem. It was about feeling heard, understood, and supported by someone who recognised the uncertainty that often comes with a melanoma diagnosis.
Building a Meaningful Life Beyond Stage IV Melanoma
Today, Ted is back doing the things he enjoys most. He’s playing golf, staying active in Rotary, and continuing to support healthcare projects both locally and overseas.
While a melanoma diagnosis prompted moments of reflection, Ted says he never allowed fear to take over.
“I’ve been mindful that I had cancer and I was being treated for cancer, but I never really feared it.”
Instead, he focused on trusting his medical team, following their advice, and taking each step as it came.
“The ability to talk was reassuring, and I trusted the doctors and nurses to do their job.”
Melanoma hasn’t changed Ted’s outlook so much as reinforced it: stay active, keep connected, and make the most of every opportunity.
As one of his former GPs liked to joke, “The only reason you’re coming to see me with these complaints is because you’re living too long.”
Ted still smiles when he repeats it.
“If I wasn’t around, I wouldn’t be having cancer, would I?”
It’s a perspective that perfectly captures Ted’s approach to life, practical, optimistic, and always focused on what comes next.
Ted shared his story in July 2026. Melanoma Patients Australia thanks Ted for generously sharing his melanoma experience. We acknowledge the challenges faced by all Australians affected by melanoma and the strength shown by patients, carers and families every day.
If this story has raised questions or you are seeking support, contact the National Melanoma Support Line on 1300 884 450.
