Samantha’s Survival Story
Samantha Channels
Story
My name is Samantha Channels. I am 34 years old and live in Kamuela, Hawaii with my husband James and our four beautiful children, Embre’sha, Josyah, Isaac and Hayzen . I am a four-time melanoma skin cancer survivor.
In 2003, I decided to see a dermatologist to have my moles checked. Some were removed but I didn’t think too much of it. It wasn’t until 2004, when I discovered a tumor on my arm adjacent to where I’d previously had a mole, that I became concerned. At this point, I was diagnosed with stage III melanoma.
I didn’t know until after I was diagnosed that I was genetically predisposed to melanoma. It runs in my father’s side of the family. I grew up on the beach and at that time, wearing sunscreen wasn’t something we thought about.
I did a year of Interferon. It wasn’t easy, but gave me three years of no evidence of disease (NED). Then, in November 2008, seven days after I gave birth to Hayzen, doctors discovered and removed a 3” tumor from my intestines. Nine months later, after doing a repeat PET scan, doctors again found a mass in my liver.
I completed three different types of chemotherapy, an immunotherapy called Interleukin 2b, which consisted of two rounds of 14 doses, administered in the ICU. This treatment made me very sick—dangerously so—with my blood pressure dropping extremely low. Still, I forged ahead. After this treatment, scans showed that the tumor in my liver had only shrunk 10%. I ultimately chose to have a liver ablation. This was really rough and it took about a month for me to recover. On Sept. 24′ 2009 I completed a second liver ablation.
I have since returned back home to Hawai’i to recover, and continue on with my hopes and dreams.
On Jan 21 12010 I completed all scans et- Jan 22 Fri., results shown that my liver is still active with metastasis of melanoma, a ring around the old tumor. Drs have planed a resection of the mass in my liver at Queens Hospital, Honolulu, Hawai’i. March 18 2010 Thursday, I endured liver surgery and removal of my gall bladder that was damaged from all the treatments. I am so thankful to the many that have kept me in prayer. I feel amazingly well…people say they are amazed by my strength.. me too! March 25 2010, My Oncologist gave me the thumbs up!& told me I’m now in remission.. what a feeling!! No more tumors!! kind-of like a short cut- because it took surgery to get here. April 23rd 2010 I will have my 1st consultation for treatments. A year of Leukine is what’s in store for me..
I am very blessed to have a supportive and loving family. With their help and encouragement, along with the support of the community, I was able to return home to Hawaii after my treatments and launch my very own clothing line that promotes melanoma awareness, Gotsunblock.
I support the MRF because I want nothing more than to help raise awareness of this terrible disease, and of course, to eventually find a cure. A portion of the proceeds from each sale of my clothing line goes directly to the MRF to fund research. I am choosing to remain optimistic. I am a fighter and a survivor.
Aloha,
Samantha Channels
GotSunBlock Online Store is Live
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Aloha,
Samantha Channels
gotsunblock.com
gotsunblock clothing company
my first LAUNCH DATE NOVEMBER 1st 2009
From Spf shirts, t-shirts for men, woman and children (long and short)
Board shorts, swim suites hats, sunglasses, UV Nail Polish and beach bags.
Look stylish while
raising awareness of Melanoma Skin Cancer knowing a portion of proceeds
returns as a donation to the
Melanoma Research Foundation