Melanoma

Hi Radley and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

Having a cancer diagnosis is a truly shocking experience. I was diagnosed with melanoma nearly 6 years ago now but fortunately it hasn't spread, touch wood. However, I'm currently being treated with chemotherapy for breast cancer which was picked up in a routine mammogram in March, so I can empathise with how you're feeling right now.

I find that the best way of coping is to do things that I enjoy, whether that's doing hobby type stuff, meeting friends, etc so that I get absorbed in doing these things and don't have so much time to wonder about the 'what ifs.' Obviously it's not practical all the time but I do find it helps.

Lots of people find mindfulness really useful and if this is something that you might be interested in, clicking here will take you to more information.

Don't worry about not being able to feel positive all the time. I do get fed up with people who spout the 'you must remain positive' mantra at me and have to resist saying to them 'you try being positive all the time when you've got cancer!'. I've so far avoided having a confrontation as I know they only mean well and don't know what to say.

I hope you feel more settled after today's meeting with the oncologist. I certainly found that once I knew what I was facing I felt more in control.

It would be great if you could pop something about about your diagnosis and treatment so far into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

Do come back and let me know how you get on today.

x

Hello Radley,

 I was diagnosed with advanced melanoma and began immunotherapy treatment in 2020 I researched the treatment as I knew absolutely nothing about it. One thing that I latched on to that gave me a lot of optimism was the case of ex-US president Jimmy Carter. Like yourself he was diagnosed advanced melanoma with tumors in the liver and brain in 2015. Immunotherapy and Keytruda were not mainstream then, but he was one of the first of many sucess stories attributed to this treatment. He achieved complete remission and is going strong and cancer-free at the age of 95+. I truly believe that you have every reason to be optimistic as melanoma immunotherapy treatments have shown wonderful results in the recent past. 

I am fortunate to be cancer-free and in full remission. Stay strong.

I hear what you are saying, sounds as if you may be in shock right now?

One tip is to right down your questions that you want to ask your consultant beforehand.  I have always found this really helpful.

Also, just taking a slow breathe in and a slow breathe out, say to the count of 4 might help, this is meant to activate the parasympathetic nervous system ('rest and digest')?

'Thanks brain!' is another phrase I use when an unwanted thought pops into my head. 

You could ask for a referral to psychosocial support, e.g. psychologist, if your hospital has a specialist psychologist for their persons with cancer (some do, some don't it seems). 

Good luck!

Hi Chamomile and welcome to the online community

I've noticed you responding to a few posts in the group, which is great, and I wondered what your story with melanoma was as you haven't completed your profile yet?

x

Hi Latchbrook,

I am not ready to share yet, it will remain private for the timebeing. Also, I’m still assessing in my own mind benefits and limitations of this type of social media.
I have indeed posted a few times because if I read a post, I try to be kind, respectful and acknowledge to the person posting that I’ve read it and just leave a little comment. X

That's perfectly okay if you don't want to share what's brought you here Chamomile

I hope that in time you will feel that you can tell us all about your experiences with melanoma but, if that time never comes, that's okay too