Melanoma is the most lethal type of skin cancer, but new treatments identified in the past decade have made a significant impact in survival. For Jill Freiermuth, 53, her journey with melanoma is one of profound resilience and perseverance.
In May 2007, Freiermuth, of Whitewater, Wis., noticed a small lump on her right calf that showed up quickly. Tests confirmed it was melanoma, and after surgery to remove it Freiermuth met with Dr. Mark Albertini, a medical oncologist at UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center.
“At that point, he’d said ‘It looks like they got it all. I hope to not see you again!’” she recalled.
However, the melanoma proved to be aggressive, rearing once again in her lymph nodes in 2010. Her journey over the next decade was one marked by relentless determination and hope. Her resilience remained steadfast, buoyed by the unwavering support of her husband, Bob, and the compassionate care of Albertini and Carbone Cancer Center staff.
Over the years, Freiermuth went through five surgeries and radiation treatments, and she also began receiving emerging immunotherapy treatments. Immunotherapy revs up the body’s natural immune response to find and fight cancer cells.
“She was in a setting where she was able to receive some of the newest treatments as they became understood and available,” Albertini said.
For Freiermuth, immunotherapy became a game changer. In 2016, her tumors finally began to respond and shrink after a new treatment.
“We were finally heading in the right direction, and I was kind of getting ahead of it. I always felt like I was playing defense, but for the first time, I felt like I was on offense,” she recalled.
By April 2018, Freiermuth was cleared of all melanoma, and it hasn’t returned since. She continues to get scans every six months to monitor for recurrence.
“When this all started, my two boys were in middle school. I remember them coming home from school and finding out the melanoma had come back and how distraught they looked when they came through the door,” she said. “Now both of them have graduated from college, and one’s married and the other one’s getting married next year. I didn’t think I was going to be around to see all of those moments.”
It was the unwavering support she’d received from her family, friends, Albertini and the rest of her care team that has allowed her to be where she is today. Freiermuth continues to find solace in the beauty of everyday moments, cherishing the life she almost lost and the people who helped her reclaim it.
Her story also extends beyond her own melanoma battle and underscores her appreciation for Albertini’s work. She actively supports and donates to his research with comparative melanoma treatments in humans and in pet dogs — a groundbreaking initiative aimed at identifying similarities between those cancer types, testing new treatment approaches, and improving treatment outcomes for both humans and their pets.
Navigating the complexities of Freiermuth’s treatment plan, Albertini emphasized the importance of compassionate communication and personalized care.
"As providers, it’s important to put oneself into your patient’s shoes and understand how you would want someone to help you if you were in that situation. Her story is one that I think can resonate with many people," he shared.
Whether it was visiting Freiermuth in the hospital after a busy day before going home, or simply checking in, his compassion made all the difference in her journey.
“He’s always given hope and strength,” Freiermuth said of Albertini. “It meant the world to me.”
