New Advanced Melanoma Diagnosis - what to do while waiting!

Hey Effofcansa 

So sorry to hear about your diagnosis. 

I myself, also 36 years, got diagnosed with melanoma at the end of April and since then I been with ups and downs, especially because this mole I had was initially taken out in 2022 but no one informed me that it was malignant melanoma, I just found out at the routine control which it do every year.

I do continue to live my life as normal as possible,  going to work, making plans and just being.

For me they moved quite fast with the biopsies and the surgeries and all the test, basically in 1 month I got everything done, from consultation, CT scans, WLE and SLNB surgery and next week I have the appointment with my doctor to talk about the results ( I m living in Portugal so I guess they have a different system)

Remember that at the moment there are so many options to cure melanoma and treatments have evolved a lot.

It will be important  to keep an optimistic approach to things, manifests and belive in the outcome that you want.

You can also research what type of nutrion you can do, maybe journal and let those anxieties out, cry is you need, just let things out.

I wish you all the best and if you want to talk, feel free to reach out!

Thanks

Thank you for such a quick response. I think I'm having another CT scan next week with a body search to see if they can find ground zero (I don't really have moles but I'm freckly). 

I think positivity is the way forward, show the cancer who is the boss! But also telling friends and family has been quite exhausting mentally. Now that bandaid has been ripped off I'm hoping to focus on looking forward. 

Hope your results come back with positive results! 

You have to do what is best for you. When I was first diagnosed I tried to carry on working even wanting to go back to work after being told the news. I work in the hospital. I carried on working till about a month ago when had to go off sick as I also have long Covid and it was becoming to much and wanted to be in the best health I could be before my surgery which I had a few days ago. When I have recovered and know what next for treatment I will plan on going back to work but probably part time as was not managing full time 

Thank you, I'm keen to work but look to reduce some of the stressful elements. Agree it's also a kind of 'as you feel' kind of route to take!

Hola , I live in Spain with the same diagnosis, the processes are different abroad, not as much support as in the UK, can I ask how you are progressing as it seems you are on the same road as me and would like to share your story so far. Thanks