WESTIN'S STORY

Westin Reader is a fun, active, and bright young 20 year old. He is excited about making a career and starting a family one day.


One thing that sets him apart from other 20 year old young men is that in March of 2010 he was diagnosed with Stage IIIA Melanoma.

Wes found a mole on his small toe and went to have it surgically removed. Shortly after the lab results came back showing that he had a malignant tumor and needed to have his toe amputated. He also endured a very painful nuclear medicine procedure testing his lymph nodes to see if the cancer had spread. The sentinel node in his groin showed cancer cells so he had that node removed. His oncologist referred him to the University of Arizona Medical Center’s Arizona Cancer Center for further treatment. There it was determined that he needed to have another surgery and have the rest of the lymph nodes in that area of the groin removed. So in April he traveled to Tucson several times and had surgery again. He is now in treatment to try and prevent further spread and reoccurrence of the cancer. His treatment will last for one year taking Interferon. It is a daily IV treatment for one month and then for 11 months following, he will give himself injections every other day.

During this whole ordeal, Westin has been optimistic and determined to fight hard to stay well. The Interferon can have serious side effects and has made it difficult for Westin to continue working and going to school but he tells people that this experience is going to help him learn and grow. Each day at his treatment he thanks his nurses and tells them how great it is to see them J He has been making newborn baby caps for the Humanitarian Center for our church. These little hats get sent all over the world to children in need.

Westin is trying to do everything he can to get well and stay healthy and is so grateful for friends and family that love and support him daily.