Cedar Park Regional Medical Center Celebrates Orthopedic Surgeon's Comeback Story and Raises UV Safety Awareness
7/21/2023
CEDAR PARK, Texas – July is UV Safety Awareness Month and Michael Putney, M.D., orthopedic surgeon and member of the medical staff at Cedar Park Regional Medical Center, shares his battle with stage 4 melanoma and recovery. Dr. Putney's story serves as both a personal triumph and a vital reminder of the importance of protecting our bodies from the harmful effects of the sun.
Throughout his childhood, Dr. Putney enjoyed many outdoor activities, including golf, swimming and water sports - he's also a former lifeguard. However, he confesses to forgoing proper sun protection, often omitting sunscreen and assuming he would apply at a later time. Additionally, Dr. Putney acknowledges his failure to maintain regular dermatologist checkups, relying on his medical knowledge to identify any signs of melanoma.
It was during a visit to the dermatologist that Dr. Putney pointed out a small mole on his neck. Before the dermatologist left the room, he happened to mention a spot on his back that had been bothering him. Although it appeared harmless, a biopsy revealed that the spot on his back was Stage 4 metastatic melanoma, spreading throughout his body. Dr. Putney completed his last orthopedic surgery, a total hip replacement, at Cedar Park Regional Medical Center, and went straight to an MRI where he received his diagnosis. After receiving the news, he stepped away from surgery to focus on his treatment and spend his remaining time with his loved ones.
Despite a grim prognosis, his doctors decided on a course of aggressive immunotherapy, a groundbreaking treatment that harnesses the body's immune system to combat cancer cells. From the beginning, Dr. Putney's treatments were outpatient, with no admissions to the hospital and he experienced minimal side effects. Within a few days of starting immunotherapy, he noticed less discomfort in his lymph nodes. Dr. Putney underwent three months of double immunotherapy treatment. With ongoing therapy, he reached remission within one year, with no evidence of further tumors and no cognitive impairments.
Grateful for his second chance at life, Dr. Putney advocates for UV safety and urges individuals not to delay seeing a dermatologist for regular checkups. His personal mantra now includes the importance of prioritizing dermatological care and not taking life for granted. Furthermore, Dr. Putney emphasizes the significance of UV protection, advising everyone to stay in the shade, wear protective clothing, a hat, sunglasses that block UV rays, and use sunscreen on exposed skin.
When asked about his return to health and the operating room, Dr. Putney expressed his joy, saying, "It feels really crazy great! It was pure muscle memory. It felt like the right place, like being back at home. What I thought was the end of my surgical career at Cedar Park Regional Medical Center is now a place for a new beginning and the opportunity to help many more patients”.
As we focus on UV Safety Awareness Month, Cedar Park Regional Medical Center celebrates Dr. Michael Putney's incredible journey and highlights the significance of UV safety and regular dermatology check-ups. We encourage individuals to protect themselves from the sun's harmful effects and to get regular checkups. If you need a primary care provider, schedule online at www.cedarparkphysicianassociates.com.
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