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How to Cope with a Melanoma Diagnosis
Try to keep in mind your doctor is a human being who doesn't have
any magical powers to cure you and certainly doesn't have all the answers all of the time. We
highly recommend you and your support system educate yourselves thoroughly on melanoma and its
treatments.
Don't fall into the stoic state. Giving yourself permission to be upset will actually help regulate your emotional reactions. Cry and laugh often. It's okay to feel sorry for yourself and to feel scared. It will be especially beneficial if you can confront the issues that upset and frighten you and then process them emotionally. Don't be afraid to ask for help from either a professional therapist or those close to you. This is a lot to handle on your own.
Many cancer patients are ultimately thankful to be brought face to face with their own mortality, because for the first time in their lives they get their priorities straight. The other challenges encountered in life may seem trivial by comparison. And despite the initial quaking you feel, you will emerge from this ordeal on a stronger foundation than you ever imagined.
Being diagnosed with any serious illness puts your whole life in limbo. Here is the best way to navigate your illness with the least confusion. Of course, you can always call our hotline or send us an email for prompt help in this process.
Source: Melanoma Prevention Detection and Treatment, New Haven: Yale University Press. 2005
Don't fall into the stoic state. Giving yourself permission to be upset will actually help regulate your emotional reactions. Cry and laugh often. It's okay to feel sorry for yourself and to feel scared. It will be especially beneficial if you can confront the issues that upset and frighten you and then process them emotionally. Don't be afraid to ask for help from either a professional therapist or those close to you. This is a lot to handle on your own.
Many cancer patients are ultimately thankful to be brought face to face with their own mortality, because for the first time in their lives they get their priorities straight. The other challenges encountered in life may seem trivial by comparison. And despite the initial quaking you feel, you will emerge from this ordeal on a stronger foundation than you ever imagined.
Being diagnosed with any serious illness puts your whole life in limbo. Here is the best way to navigate your illness with the least confusion. Of course, you can always call our hotline or send us an email for prompt help in this process.
- Get a copy of your pathology report and think about getting a second opinion. We can help you understand the report.
- If you'd like to figure out your stage, go to:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/melanoma/Patient/page2 - Get a good support person/s to help you on this journey
- Be sure you are being treated by someone who is expert and experienced in the treatment of melanoma. (call our hotline, or write us if unsure)
- Try to arm yourself with good information from scientific sources such as the National Cancer Institute (1-800-4-Cancer)
- Write down questions and answers, or take a tape recorder with you to the doctor's office. Ask the nurses to help you if the doctor doesn't spend much time with you.
- Treatments are still experimental for melanoma and if you decide on a clinical trial, there are many more questions to ask, which we can help you.
Source: Melanoma Prevention Detection and Treatment, New Haven: Yale University Press. 2005