Follow-up Guidelines

I am a 9 year survivor of Melanoma. I don't care what anyone says, the knowledge that you had cancer is always in the back of your mind. When confronted, yet again, with a friend, loved one, whatever newly diagnosed person, it brings the knowledge of your own cancer right to the front of the mind! I have found that along with the recommendations of Dr. Attai, that helping the newly diagnosed person is terrifically helpful in assuaging any of my own concerns of a re-occurance of my cancer. Depending on my relationship with the person before their diagnosis, I "get involved". That can mean anything from a phone call that lets them know I understand somewhat what they are going through + an offer to answer any questions or concerns that I can to really getting involved by taking them to treatment, doc, office, appts. I remember that of all the people who drove me back and forth to the infusion center and stayed with me, the ones that were the most helpful and who "got it" were the ones who had been through it themselves. The Cancer Club, I have found, is no club anyone wants to join, but once eligable, the membership is incredibly helpful, empathetic, supportive, and knowledgable.