1. < Melanoma & Skin Cancer
Moderator

Melanoma & Skin Cancer support: Introduce yourself and connect

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Mar 28 4:33pm

Welcome to the Melanoma & Skin Cancer support group on Mayo Clinic Connect.

This is a welcoming, safe place where you can meet others living with skin cancer or caring for someone with skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP), Merkel cell carcinoma, sebaceous carcinoma, and their treatments. Let's learn from each other and share stories about living well with cancer, coping with the challenges and offering tips.

Take these steps to participate in the group:

  • Follow the group.
  • Browse topics.
  • Use the group search to find answers to your questions.
  • Introduce yourself.

Pull up a chair and chat. Why not start by introducing yourself? What is your experience, or your loved one’s experience, living with melanoma or skin cancer (i.e., what type, how long since diagnosis, how it’s managed)?

Do you have a question, tip or story to share?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Melanoma & Skin Cancer Support Group.

Mentor
Susan, volunteer Mentor | @grammato3 | 16 hours ago

@sandrahahn22 : I'm glad you found us here as I know from personal experience how terribly frightening that is to learn. You'll find many of us here have encountered similar situations and it's our goal to provide you with support, some guidance and answers to questions you may have - and allow you to simply vent your feelings whenever you may be so inclined.

I remember when I was first diagnosed I was overwhelmed and wasn't sure where to turn. Google searches were alarming. I've since learned that a lot of information on the web can be outdated and the statistics I was reading do not necessarily apply to current day as so many advances have been made. May I suggest a resource I found at Mayo: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/melanoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20374884
You may want to proceed slowly with what you read, selecting those topics that apply to where you are now in your current diagnosis and recommended treatment.

Have you gotten any of those recommended next steps provided by your health care practitioner? How are you feeling overall since getting this news?

REPLY
sandrahahn22 | @sandrahahn22 | 18 hours ago

I was just diagnoticed with Melanoma Skin Cancer on my leg

REPLY
rhondaobason25 | @rhondaobason25 | May 20 3:20pm

You have to stand up for yourself, Thanks and I will update.

REPLY
Mentor
Susan, volunteer Mentor | @grammato3 | May 20 10:42am
In reply to @rhondaobason25 "Glad to hear you are doing well with the pancreas. After expressing my concern over wait..." + (show)
@rhondaobason25

Glad to hear you are doing well with the pancreas. After expressing my concern over wait times, I am scheduled for surgery on Wednesday.

Jump to this post

Good for you both @itchyrich and @rhondaobason25! I've definitely learned the importance of being your own health care advocate.

REPLY
rhondaobason25 | @rhondaobason25 | May 19 9:41pm
In reply to @itchyrich "Many wait times for appointments are absurd, especially if a referral is involved. Last year, I..." + (show)
@itchyrich

Many wait times for appointments are absurd, especially if a referral is involved. Last year, I had something going on with my pancreas. One of my fears for many years is that I would die of pancreatic cancer. Anyway, my PCP gave me a referral to a gastroenterologist, and it was a several month wait for the appointment. I kind of went ballistic, settled down and messaged the PCP and asked if he could mark the referral as URGENT (for my peace of mind). He did. I had an appointment within a week. Sometimes it pays to not just accept what you're dealt. In my case, it turned out to be a bunch of cysts on my pancreas which, apparently, aren't all that serious.

Jump to this post

Glad to hear you are doing well with the pancreas. After expressing my concern over wait times, I am scheduled for surgery on Wednesday.

REPLY
1 reply
itchyrich | @itchyrich | May 19 6:56pm
In reply to @rhondaobason25 "Thank You! I have read a lot of information from various sites, including the Skin Cancer..." + (show)
@rhondaobason25

Thank You! I have read a lot of information from various sites, including the Skin Cancer Foundation, Mayo and Cleveland Clinics.
I first noticed a small spot on my left torso. I thought it was a bug bite at first and kept an eye on the red, itchy spot. I kept watch for a few months, then it went away. Last May, (2024), I noticed a place on my shoulder. I monitored it for a few months, then wondered if it might be cancer. I called a dermatologist on October 17, 2024. I was not seen until May 6, 2025. I was examined and had a biopsy taken, (Shaved the top layer). My biopsy came back positive for BCC. I am now waiting an additional 3 months to have surgery. Is this normal? I keep seeing, "if treated early". What does that mean? I have no concept of what is "early enough". Just confused about treatment options and how early is really "early enough".

Jump to this post

Many wait times for appointments are absurd, especially if a referral is involved. Last year, I had something going on with my pancreas. One of my fears for many years is that I would die of pancreatic cancer. Anyway, my PCP gave me a referral to a gastroenterologist, and it was a several month wait for the appointment. I kind of went ballistic, settled down and messaged the PCP and asked if he could mark the referral as URGENT (for my peace of mind). He did. I had an appointment within a week. Sometimes it pays to not just accept what you're dealt. In my case, it turned out to be a bunch of cysts on my pancreas which, apparently, aren't all that serious.

REPLY
1 reply
wgv | @wgv | May 19 4:20pm

I will
Thanks for all urgent advice

REPLY
Mentor
Susan, volunteer Mentor | @grammato3 | May 19 3:34pm

@wgv Good to hear you've gotten that nutritional help from your hospital staff and have gotten that fluid boost today. The immunotherapy you're receiving is targeted for all areas so that assists with your fight - keep those figurative boxing gloves on even while you're at rest 🙂

I'm going to be visiting my grandkids over the long Memorial Day weekend so forgive me if I'm delayed in getting back to you, but can you let me know how you're feeling later this week after today's treatment?

REPLY
wgv | @wgv | May 19 2:05pm
In reply to @grammato3 "@wgv Good nutrition is important so it's great that you're keeping food down! I see you..." + (show)
@grammato3

@wgv Good nutrition is important so it's great that you're keeping food down! I see you had mentioned last week that you live near Mayo in FL; is that where you're receiving care? I only ask because as part of care at Mayo you are eligible for a nutritional consult if that's of interest to you. Perhaps that's also available at other facilities where immunotherapy is being provided.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I also believe you stated this is for melanoma found in your ear. Ideally, the immunotherapy will work on reducing - or even resolving that completely - so those little tweaks of discomfort may possibly no longer be bothersome. And sometimes mind distraction techniques, such as meditation, can help ease such discomfort. Perhaps you can try that, or would like direction in learning more.

Many people associate pain with a diagnosis of cancer; do you think perhaps this is what triggered your thoughts?

Jump to this post

Also melanoma is in my gut, right lung, adrenaline glands and liver. Fighting on all fronts

REPLY
wgv | @wgv | May 19 2:01pm
In reply to @grammato3 "@wgv Good nutrition is important so it's great that you're keeping food down! I see you..." + (show)
@grammato3

@wgv Good nutrition is important so it's great that you're keeping food down! I see you had mentioned last week that you live near Mayo in FL; is that where you're receiving care? I only ask because as part of care at Mayo you are eligible for a nutritional consult if that's of interest to you. Perhaps that's also available at other facilities where immunotherapy is being provided.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I also believe you stated this is for melanoma found in your ear. Ideally, the immunotherapy will work on reducing - or even resolving that completely - so those little tweaks of discomfort may possibly no longer be bothersome. And sometimes mind distraction techniques, such as meditation, can help ease such discomfort. Perhaps you can try that, or would like direction in learning more.

Many people associate pain with a diagnosis of cancer; do you think perhaps this is what triggered your thoughts?

Jump to this post

Being treated at cancer specialist of north Florida. Had nutritional help from ascension at st Vincent's hospital. Blood levels low again so I'm getting fluids now. That gives me a boost

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.