How an Unsuspecting Spot on the Foot Turned Out To Be Life-Changing
- “Stranger Things” star Jennifer Marshall, 42, is not only an actress but also a mom, Navy veteran, and a stage 3 melanoma cancer survivor. She was diagnosed after a spot on her foot, first thought to be a bug bite, turned out to be skin cancer. While undergoing grueling cancer treatment, she continued her acting roles until she reached remission.
- Melanoma starts in the same cells that give your skin, hair, and eyes their color. In melanoma, the cells change in a way that allows them to spread to other organs.
- The most important thing to look out for when finding melanoma in its early stages is a new spot on your skin or a spot changing in size, shape, or color.
- Some cancer patients can continue to work during cancer treatment, while others may need to take some time away. Doctors recommend returning to work if possible, as it helps cancer patients regain a sense of normalcy.
As a military veteran, “Stranger Things” star Jennifer Marshall, 42, isn’t your typical Hollywood actress. She’s also a mom of four and a stage 3 cancer survivor who continues to inspire an army of fans through her resilience.
In 2020, Marshall was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma cancer in her foot, and she says the diagnosis changed her life forever.
Read MoreView this post on Instagram“Three years ago, on December 21st, I was diagnosed with cancer. My life changed forever. For a cancer survivor, there are two parts to your life. Before cancer and after cancer, the gym has been the place I can work out anxiety and stay healthy and fit for my kids,” Marshall said in an Instagram post reflecting on her journey.
Marshall says she’s grateful to be able to do what she loves – exercise, be a mom and wife, and fulfill her acting dreams.
For nearly 20 years, Marshall has dabbled with television and film, beginning with a History Channel feature portraying an injured soldier in 2005 TV and film resource IMDB reports. Her acting career gained more steam in the 2010s with brief appearances until she landed a role in “Stranger Things” in 2017. Interestingly, many of her roles tap into her Navy background.
While serving in the Navy from 1998 to 2003, She served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. Marshall’s duties included acting as an aircraft handler and aviation logistics.
She took a year off from acting in 2021 after she was diagnosed with cancer, which came as a complete shock.
“I told myself that I had done everything right. I watched what I ate, I worked out regularly, I didn’t use or abuse substances,” Marshall said in a Facebook post.
Helping You Cope With Skin Cancer
Jennifer’s Inspiring Cancer Journey
Marshall’s cancer journey began after she noticed her hair was thinning. She went to see her dermatologist, who suggested that she undergo a full body scan.
“During the full body scan, I mentioned a spot on my foot that itched a little bit and seemed to have a small, hard nodule underneath. At the time, I had chalked it up to a bug bite,” Marshall explained.
However, the spot was no bug bite. Further tests revealed it was stage one melanoma on her foot.
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Melanoma starts in the same cells that give your skin, hair, and eyes their color. In melanoma, the cells change in a way that allows them to spread to other organs. You’re most likely to find melanoma on sun-exposed skin areas like your face, neck, arms, and legs. However, areas with little to no sun exposure may also get melanoma, such as your palms, feet, eyes, mouth, or under your nails.
“The surgeon called me. He explained that due to the location of the cancer, he may have to take tissue from my thigh to use as a skin graft. I jokingly told him to take the fat from my right thigh, as it was slightly fatter. I think my humor was unsettling to him, but I couldn’t help it. I was facing the big ‘C,’ and instead of sorrow, I chose humor,” Marshall said.
She prepared for surgery in early January 2021. However, just before the procedure, she learned her cancer was more advanced than previously thought and was in stage 3.
“When he gently revealed that it had spread, the sounds around me became muffled, everything seemed to move in slow motion, and I experienced tunnel vision. I gasped and choked out, “But you said…you said that there was only a 3 percent chance.” He offered a slight pause and replied, “I’m so sorry, Jennifer. You’re my 3 percenter,” Marshall said.
With the thought of her children and husband in mind, she prepared herself for 18 months of cancer treatment.
“The next 15 months were grueling. There is no other word to explain it. Every cancer survivor reading this is probably nodding their head in agreement. Every three weeks, I would visit my oncology center, have labs drawn, visit with the doctor, and then go in for treatment,” she said.
A Willingness to Work During Cancer Treatment
“I feared losing acting opportunities and not being able to pay my mortgage. During all this, I was in the middle of shooting season four of Stranger Things. When I showed up to shoot, a few people subtly commented about how much weight I had lost, not realizing the reason why,” Marshall said.
Fortunately for Marshall, although cancer treatment was a grueling experience, her castmates and production crew were completely understanding and willing to make her life easier in any way they could.
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“I gave my shooting availability around my scans, treatment, and how I was feeling. My loving and wonderful makeup artist, Diahann, covered up my hives with makeup. My crew allowed me to doze between setups. They consistently checked in with me to make sure I felt okay and provided transportation to and from Burbank shoots because I was too fatigued to safely drive,” Marshall explained.
When she experienced hair loss during treatment, she wore a wig.
“Many people stop working or can’t work during treatment, and I completely understand why. One thing they don’t often tell you about treatment? The side effects,” Marshall lamented.
WATCH: Will my cancer get me fired?
“We always encourage people to continue to work if they can,” says Sarah Stapleton, a clinical social worker at Montefiore Medical Center.
“I think it creates a sense of normalcy for patients.”
If you’re able to work, you’ll be busy, and you may not be worrying all the time about how your treatment is going, Stapleton adds.
Sometimes, cancer can make you feel isolated and lonely, and being around people for work can alleviate feelings of loneliness.
It’s important for you to have a conversation with your doctor before continuing to work during treatment. Ask your physician what you can and cannot do so you don’t disrupt ongoing treatment.
Remember, sometimes cancer treatment can cause fatigue, leaving you unable to fulfill your duties as you once could.
Fortunately, some on-the-job accommodations can make working during cancer treatment a little easier.
Laurie Ostacher, a behavioral health clinician at Stanford Health Care, recommends cancer patients talk with their employer about accommodations they may need upon returning to work.
“Patients need to let their employer know [they’re] going to need some flexibility… Because there are going to be days when you’re not as energetic or feeling as well as other days,” Ostacher explained.
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After undergoing a grueling cancer treatment and a series of scans, Marshall finally received some good news regarding her prognosis last year.
“I was officially stage 3 NED (no evidence of disease)…I feel healthy, I’m back to running, and I’m incredibly thankful for every single day on this earth,” Marshall said.
Understanding Melanomas
Melanoma starts in the same cells that give your skin, hair, and eyes their color. In melanoma, the cells change in a way that allows them to spread to other organs.
Changes to a mole you’ve had for a while or a new growth on your skin could be signs of melanoma, according to SurvivorNet’s experts. You’ll want to watch them and tell your doctor about any changes you notice.
WATCH: How do you perform a skin check using the ABCDEs?
SurvivorNet experts recommend avoiding unprotected sun exposure because ultraviolet (UV) radiation can lead to melanoma. Tanning beds pose ultraviolet radiation risks for skin cancer and should be avoided. Many dermatologists recommend using spray tans to reduce the risk of melanoma skin cancer.
The most important thing to look out for when it comes to finding melanoma is a new spot on your skin or a spot that is changing in size, shape, or color, SurvivorNet’s medical experts say.
Treatment options for melanoma include targeted therapy and immunotherapy, which give people a better chance of living a long and healthy life than ever before. If you’re diagnosed with melanoma, there’s a good chance surgery will be the treatment your doctor recommends. Cancer removal usually leads to a cure in the early stages of the disease. After surgery, the removed tissue and lymph nodes are examined to measure the melanoma and determine if it has clear margins. Clear margins mean the cells around the area of tissue that was removed don’t contain any melanoma. When no cancer cells are left around the removed area, your cancer is less likely to return.
For melanoma patients who need additional treatment after surgery, they are likely to receive adjuvant therapy (treatments administered after surgery). Adjuvant therapy is designed to improve outcomes and decrease the risk of recurrence.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If you are diagnosed with skin cancer, you may have some questions for your doctor. SurvivorNet suggests some of the following to help you on your cancer journey.
- What type of skin cancer do I have?
- What treatment options exist for my type of melanoma?
- Will insurance cover this treatment?
- Would treatment through a clinical trial make sense for me?
- What resources exist to help manage my anxiety because of this diagnosis?
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.