“It was normal to be red and burning.”

The operation took four months, and during that time the tumor grew again, becoming larger than it was before the surgery. I felt bad, but in the end it all worked out. I started treatment in March 2018, taking four tablets a day and every 15 days I undergo intravenous immunotherapy in hospital.

The initial response was very rapid, the tumor size decreased significantly within two days, but I experienced several side effects until they adjusted the dose. One of them was joint pain, I felt severe pain when sitting and getting up. I also experienced a change in taste — the water tasted sweet — as well as mouth ulcers, eye inflammation, and drug-induced pneumonia.

After an adaptation period and dose adjustment, I currently only feel a little tired the day after immunotherapy, but overall I feel good, I can work, exercise and have a normal life.

Before entering the clinical study, I froze my semen because my doctor explained to me that the medications could affect my fertility. During treatment, my wife and I underwent infertility in the laboratory.

Pregnancy, Marcela's unconditional support and the dream of becoming a father were what strengthened me the most to fight cancer. I needed to survive, so I could hold my son, João Gabriel, in my arms, play and take care of him. Moreover, I am a person of faith, I kept myself composed and did not allow myself to get discouraged.

My condition is stable, and I continue to undergo treatment and take all precautions regarding the sun. I avoid exposing myself to the sun for a long time, and apply sunscreen twice a day even on cloudy days.