Rob Meyers – Melanoma Patient Story

Rob Meyers was just 30 years old when he received life-altering news: He had stage IV metastatic melanoma.

But his journey didn’t begin with a suspicious mole or lesion.

Instead, it started with excruciating headaches that felt like a sinus infection at first but soon left him unable to get off the couch.

 

A Surprising Diagnosis

In August 2019, after four weeks of worsening headaches, Rob’s girlfriend and parents rushed him to UPMC Passavant–McCandless. There, he was diagnosed with two brain tumors, one of which was bleeding. After being transferred by ambulance to UPMC Presbyterian, an MRI revealed he had eight brain tumors.

Two days later, he underwent a craniotomy to remove and biopsy one of the tumors. The surgery carried risks, including potential temporary or permanent damage to his motor skills and speech.

“I was in so much pain — if they said it would relieve it, I was all for it,” says Rob.

The biopsy confirmed stage IV metastatic melanoma. Rob spent a month in the hospital, half of it in the neurological intensive care unit and the other half in UPMC Montefiore for intensive physical therapy to rehabilitate the motor skills on the right side of his body.

Although the diagnosis was shocking, the choice for treatment was clear.

“UPMC has the best care and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center was the clear choice,” says Rob, who was born at UPMC Passavant–McCandless and grew up receiving care at UPMC facilities.

But he credits his care team – not just the institution – for saving his life.

“Dr. Najjar is hands-down the best physician I have ever dealt with,” he says, referring to Yana Najjar, MD, a melanoma specialist at UPMC Hillman in Shadyside. “UPMC is very lucky to have her. The fact that she came to UPMC Presbyterian from UPMC Hillman to break the news to me meant something.”

He also praised Dr. Najjar’s physician assistants, Kelly and Katie, and his nurses, Nancy and Lillian, who have become more than providers and more like friends.

“My first PA even came to my wedding,” he says, emphasizing the deep support he received. “They see me as more than a patient.”

Targeted Treatment

In early September 2019, Rob began immunotherapy. Remarkably, he returned to work at his previous employer just one month after surgery.

Rob now works at UPMC on the company’s corporate accounting team. Rob feared that stepping away from work might lead to cognitive decline. However, he has been able to maintain his employment.

After his brain tumors progressed in November 2021, he began targeted therapy.

“It was easy,” Rob says. “As long as Dr. Najjar was there, I was comfortable.”

He still sees Dr. Najjar every three months for an MRI, CT scan, and blood tests. Their relationship has grown beyond doctor and patient.

“I consider her family now,” Rob says. “If I have a positive life update, sometimes she will call just to congratulate me. I have joked that if she ever moves, I am coming with her,” he adds with a laugh.

His support system extended beyond the hospital. Friends drove from Philadelphia with food and gifts. His wife, whom he married during treatment, was his rock.

“She literally picked me up off the floor after a seizure,” he says.

Road to Recovery

After seven rounds of targeted brain radiation therapy, treating 48 individual brain tumors, all but three tumors have disappeared.

“I’m not considered cancer-free,” he says. “I still have three brain tumors visible on MRI, and lesions on my spine and hip that will likely always be there.”

Additionally, because of the number of brain tumors and amount of radiation he received, Rob was diagnosed with epilepsy and must take a high dose of antiseizure medication to manage his condition.

Now 36, Rob enjoys life with his wife, Hannah, and two Labradoodles in Pittsburgh’s South Side. He loves traveling, exercising, and reading fantasy novels. He also participates in 5K events like Steps Against Melanoma, held each May in North Park, where he’s helped raise about $20,000 for the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center site of the Melanoma Tissue Bank Consortium, a joint venture with AIM at Melanoma.

Rob’s advice is simple: “Don’t take your skin for granted. It’s something that needs to be taken care of.”

A former lifeguard who rarely reapplied sunscreen, he now takes sun protection seriously.

Rob’s journey is one of resilience, hope, and the lifesaving care he received at UPMC – from the ICU at UPMC Presbyterian to UPMC Hillman Cancer Center – where compassionate, personalized treatment turned a terrifying diagnosis into a story of strength.

Rob’s treatment and results may not be representative of all similar cases.