At 6-feet-7-inches tall, Loyd is the kind of guy you notice when he enters a room. But cancer doesn’t care. It’s always looking to knock you down to size. “When you’re told you have cancer, you don’t know how long you’re gonna live. You’re willing to do anything to prolong your life,” Loyd said. “I still have a 14-year-old at home, and I’d at least like to see her graduate high school.”
Loyd’s story started innocently enough, with a mole on the back of his leg that had been there for years. He’d had it examined before. “The doctor looked at it and said it was an age spot,” Loyd said. But just a year and a half later, he had the spot assessed again. This time, a biopsy was ordered, and Loyd got bad news: melanoma, a type of skin cancer typically caused by exposure to ultraviolet light, such as sunlight or tanning lamps and beds.
In June 2021, Loyd started on Keytruda, an effective cancer treatment that he continued for about a year, until he ran into billing problems with his insurance. “I quit treatments altogether, which was a dumb thing to do,” he said. “I had another spot show up on my thigh that December. There was a knot, and it was growing. In March 2023, it was golf ball sized.”
By this time, Loyd had decided to switch treatment centers, moving to The University of Tennessee Medical Center’s Cancer Institute, where the tumor was removed. He was diagnosed with Stage 3 melanoma, which is considered to be an intermediate to high risk for recurrence or spreading to other parts of the body. His oncologist, Dr. Ardy Davarifar, started Loyd on Opdivo and Yervoy immunotherapy treatments, which are given through an IV. After four treatments that Loyd admitted were rough, the melanoma had instead progressed. “His disease was growing in many parts of his body, inside his liver and lungs,” said Dr. Renju Raj, who specializes in transplant and cellular therapy.
Even though Loyd and his Cancer Institute care team knew his cancer was aggressive, they didn’t give up hope. Dr. Raj told Loyd about Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) Therapy, a promising treatment option offered as part of UT Medical Center’s Office of Clinical Trials. Although it had not yet been approved by the FDA, Loyd was game to try it. “That didn’t concern me. It doesn’t mean it won’t work,” he said. “I’m willing to try anything.”
TIL therapy involves using your body’s own white blood cells to fight cancer. These good cells are removed to grow more cells in a lab. Then, the new blood cells are put back in the patient’s body. “I had to take chemo for five days, then I was infused with the new blood cells,” Loyd said.
So far, the treatment is working. His last scan showed the tumor in his liver is gone, and the others are shrinking. He also continues with Keytruda as a booster and will probably have to do that for a year. Although he still has a way to go before he’s cancer-free, Loyd credits his care team for his continuing success. “The Cancer Institute is the place to go,” he said. “The nurses and doctors are just terrific.” Since Loyd’s therapy began, the FDA has approved the treatment. Right now, UT Medical Center is the state’s only hospital to offer it.
Today, Loyd and his family are enjoying life the best they can. His appetite has returned, he’s gained weight and he’s stronger. “I’d say I’m 70% back. I think they’ve given me another 15 years at least,” he said. Soon he hopes to return to his career in the funeral business, a job that he considers his calling. Loyd says that he’s learned a lot about life through his work and his illness. “Get every spot checked on your body, advocate for yourself and ask for a biopsy early,” he said.
Thanks for sharing your advice and story, Loyd. We hope you continue to live a full life without cancer.