In 2000, Ted had a small melanoma removed from his neck. The spot was about the size of a pencil eraser. At that time, there was only about a 5% chance that the melanoma would return. After 5 years of clean follow-up visits, the chances of the melanoma returning fell to about 1%. Then in December 2006, Ted found a lima bean size lump around his collar bone and was diagnosed with Stage III disease. Thirty lymph nodes were surgically removed from Ted’s neck, followed by a 5-week radiation regimen and a year of chemotherapy.
In January 2008, Ted discovered another lump in his neck, resulting in surgery and more radiation. In July 2008 and February 2009, new tumors were discovered in Ted’s brain, indicating he had progressed to the land of Stage IV. Several brain radiosurgeries were performed as well as whole brain irradiation, experimental vaccine, and 6 rounds IL-2 treatments were completed. In August of 2010, Ted had surgery to remove a tumor in his gut. Five year survival for stage for is less then 5%. But over 2 years after his stage 4 diagnosis, Ted has no detectable signs of cancer and he plans to complete the City of Oaks half marathon in November. Join Stacy, Ted, and many more in raising money for melanoma research.
UPDATE OCT 11, 2010: Ted's quarterly brain MRI revealed a small brain bleed at the site of one of the tumors previously blasted by stereotactic radiosurgery. Ted will undergo brain surgery on Monday Oct. 18th to assess the specific region of the bleed.
Ted's neurosurgeon is recommending that he not run 13.1 miles twenty days post-surgery. Ted will be present and actively participating (in some form) in the City of Oaks marathon on Nov. 7th in Raleigh. At this point, Team Go To Hell Mel has 27 runners signed up to run the half marathon in support of melanoma research. You are welcome to join Ted and others in cheering on the participants on Nov. 7th, either at the morning race or later that evening, at the Race After-Party at The Depot in Hillsborough (details coming).
Ted should be home by Tuesday or Wednesday following surgery. And with his shaved head and new scar, Ted will have the best costume on the block..... just in time for Halloween.
UPDATE NOV 2, 2011: On August 15, 2011, Ted Murphy passed away after a 5 year battle with stage 4 melanoma. There were many ups and downs throughout that difficult and emotional battle, but Ted’s determination and courage amazed and inspired everyone from doctors and nurses to friends and co-workers. At the time of his passing, he was surrounded by a loving group of family and friends. In the words of the Raleigh News and Observer's Josh Shaffer, "But if you stood in Murphy's room at Duke University Hospital on Aug. 15, surrounded by 25 of his friends, and if you stroked his hair or patted his chest while doctors removed the breathing tube, you didn't see a man taking cancer's last punch. You saw him thumbing his nose at death with one hand and waving goodbye with the other." In so many ways, Ted was an amazing person. He was a poet, a comedian, a musician, a scientist, and a warrior, but first and foremost Ted was a treasured friend, husband and father. His life inspires us all. Ted, we'll miss you.