The Eye Believe Podcast

Episode 12: Asking for Help & Setting Boundaries One of the hardest parts of a cancer diagnosis isn't just managing treatments—it's learning how to navigate relationships with the people who love you. In Episode 12 of My 15 Years, Melody shares her experiences managing the expectations of friends and family after being diagnosed with ocular melanoma. She talks about the challenges of asking fo...

In this episode of What's Up, Doc? on the Eye Believe Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Basil Williams, ocular oncologist, vitreoretinal surgeon, educator, and leader at the world-renowned Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Dr. Williams serves as Associate Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology, Medical Director of the Ocular Oncology Service, and Vice Chair of Inclusive Excellence, where he is helping shape t...

Episode 11: When It's Not Just Ocular Melanoma Living with ocular melanoma is challenging enough—but what happens when other health issues enter the picture, too? In Episode 11 of our special 15-year series, Melody opens up about navigating multiple health conditions while living with ocular melanoma. She discusses the judgment, guilt, and embarrassment that can come with compounding health issues...

In this episode of Living in the Long-Middle, we are joined by Phil and Caitlyn Stewart, a husband-and-wife team sharing their experiences from both sides of the cancer journey—the patient perspective and the caregiver perspective. When cancer enters a relationship, it impacts more than just one person. Phil and Caitlyn offer an honest look at how they have navigated the challenges, uncertainties,...

Eye on the Expert: Eye on ctDNA – What Doctors Are Learning in Uveal Melanoma In this Eye on the Expert webinar, leading experts discuss the growing role of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in uveal melanoma and what this emerging technology may mean for patients and providers. Joining the discussion are: Michael Krainock, Associate Medical Director of Oncology at Natera Dr. Kam Montazeri, Medical On...

In this episode of What's Up, Doc? on the Eye Believe Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Miguel Materin, a leading ocular oncologist and retina specialist, for a conversation that goes beyond medicine. Dr. Materin shares insights into his recent transition from Duke University to Northwell Health, what inspired the move, and what it means for patients seeking ocular melanoma care. We also discuss his a...

In this episode of Living in the Long-Middle, we welcome back Sam Franklin for a deeply personal conversation about life, survivorship, and what it means to truly live while facing cancer. Sam’s story reminds us that how we approach the “living” part of the long-middle matters. He reflects on the thoughts, emotions, and lessons that have shaped his journey since being diagnosed with metastatic ocu...

In Episode 10 of My 15 Years, Melody shares the story behind the creation of Lookin' For A Cure 5K and how a small community event grew into an important tradition for the ocular melanoma community. She talks about what inspired the first race, the work that goes into organizing an event year after year, and why bringing patients, caregivers, families, and supporters together matters so much. Of c...

In this episode of the Eye Believe Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Kristie Nguyen to talk about protecting your eyes and preparing for a safe, healthy summer season. ☀️🕶️ As National Sunglasses Day approaches on June 27th, Dr. Nguyen shares practical tips for maintaining eye health during the summer months and explains why protecting your eyes from UV exposure is so important. In this conversation, w...

In this episode of the Eye Believe Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Julia Brechbiel, Clinical Psychologist at Fred Hutch for an important conversation about mental health and cancer. Dr. Brechbiel shares practical, compassionate guidance for patients and caregivers navigating the emotional impact of serious illness. Together, we discuss where to start when seeking mental health support, how to recogni...

Episode 9: Summer After Radiation Summer looked very different after treatment. In Episode 9 of My 15 Years, Melody reflects on her first summer after plaque brachytherapy and what it was like adjusting to life just one month after radiation treatment. She talks about learning to embrace a “new normal,” navigating summer activities differently, and finding ways to still enjoy vacations, sunshine,...

In this episode of the Eye Believe Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Marlana Orloff for an important conversation: Are We in a Clinical Trial Drought? Dr. Orloff discusses the current landscape of uveal melanoma clinical trials, including which studies have recently closed, why those closures happened, and what it means for patients searching for treatment options today. But this conversation isn’t jus...

In this episode of the Eye Believe Podcast, we’re joined by Wendy Carpenter, a metastatic ocular melanoma patient who is currently NED (No Evidence of Disease). Wendy shares her personal experience using ctDNA (circulating tumor DNA) testing as part of her ongoing surveillance and care. She discusses how this blood-based testing helps monitor disease activity, informs conversations with her medica...

Episode 8: Grief, Survivor’s Guilt & Finding Joy Again   Grief after cancer isn’t always visible.   In Episode 8 of My 15 Years, Melody opens up about the many forms of grief that followed her ocular melanoma diagnosis — the loss of who she was before cancer, the loss of certainty about the future, and the loss of relationships that changed along the way.   She also speaks honestly about survi...

In this episode of the Eye Believe Podcast, Transforming Patient Care in the West, we’re joined by Dr. Inderjit Mehmi from The Angeles Clinic. Dr. Mehmi shares insight into how care for ocular melanoma patients is evolving, including both standard of care treatments and the clinical trials currently available at his institution. He discusses how these options can provide patients with access to em...

In this episode of Living in the Long Middle, part of the Eye Believe Podcast, we share Outliving the Statistics: A Story About Survivor’s Gratitude with Katie Doble.   Katie is a metastatic ocular melanoma patient who is now NED (No Evidence of Disease) following TIL (Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte) therapy—a reality that brings both hope and complexity. In this deeply honest conversation, Katie o...

In Episode 7 of our special 15-year series, Melody opens up about an often overlooked but essential part of the cancer journey—mental health.   From breaking the stigma around therapy in the cancer community to recognizing when you’re ready for something more, this conversation is honest, validating, and deeply needed. Melody reflects on how perspectives around therapy have evolved over the years...

In this episode of the Eye Believe Podcast, we’re joined by Brianne Ward and Bev Shaw, two ocular melanoma patients from Canada whose connection turned into something truly powerful.   After first meeting online, Brianne and Bev later found themselves as roommates during treatment—a full-circle moment that strengthened their bond and helped them navigate one of the most challenging parts of their...

In this episode of the Eye Believe Podcast, we’re joined by Lindsay Brown and Lucy Innes, two incredible members of the ocular melanoma community who have each turned their diagnosis into purpose.   With very different but equally inspiring paths, Lindsay has become a motivational speaker, while Lucy is pursuing a PhD focused on uveal melanoma research. Together, they share how their experiences s...

In this episode of the Eye Believe Podcast, Danet sits down with Kyleigh LiPira from the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) and CURE OM to discuss advocacy, education, and community in the ocular melanoma space.   Kyleigh shares insights into the work being done to support patients and caregivers, advance research, and create meaningful connections within the OM community. This conversation highli...

What’s Up, Doc? Featuring Dr. Prithvi Mruthyunjaya | The Eye Believe Podcast   Welcome to What’s Up, Doc?—a new series from A Cure In Sight where we sit down with ocular melanoma (OM) specialists from around the world to get to know the people behind the medicine.   In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Prithvi Mruthyunjaya of the Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University.   Dr. Mruthyunjaya share...

Episode 6: Coping with Scanxiety   For many cancer patients and survivors, the time leading up to scans can bring overwhelming anxiety — often called scanxiety.   In Episode 6 of My 15 Years, Melody opens up about her personal experience with scanxiety over the past 15 years of living with ocular melanoma. She shares the fear, uncertainty, and emotional weight that can come with routine scans, eve...

We’re proud to introduce a new series from the Eye Believe Podcast: Living In The Long Middle, hosted by Danet Peterson.   This series is dedicated to exploring the often unspoken reality of living with ocular melanoma—the space between diagnosis and outcome. It’s a place many patients find themselves in for months or years: navigating uncertainty, balancing hope and fear, and continuing to live l...

In this Eye on the Expert webinar, Eye on CHOPIN: Study Insights & Personalizing Treatment in MUM, three leading U.S. physicians discuss the latest findings from the CHOPIN trial, with results reported in late 2025. This recorded discussion explores how emerging data can support a more individualized approach to treating metastatic uveal melanoma (MUM), helping clinicians and patients make mor...

In this episode of the Eye Believe Podcast, we’re joined by Adrián Franco, Ph. D., founder of Broken Not Broke, an initiative dedicated to addressing the often-overlooked financial toxicity of childhood cancer.   After his son was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma in 2022, Adrián experienced firsthand the overwhelming financial challenges families face during treatment. In response, he created Broken N...