Trying to find a new normal after being diagnosed

Yes, you had WAY more tests than any stage 1a person has – all that has done is add additional fear in my eyes.  But it is done.  STAY OFF THE INTERNET.  Time and not reading bad stories are the best way to move on.  I've seen thousands of early stages diagnosed over the 15+ years I've been on the site and you have to realize that they aren't still here.  And that is not in the bad connotation.  They have moved on.  Melanoma no longer rules their life.  They have no reason to check in here daily and read all the stories.  They moved on.  You need to work on moving on too.  And my final word is PICTURES.  Take pictures.  Watch for CHANGE.  Look for the UGLY DUCKLING or new and different.  Take control so you don't operate in fear mode,  you watch your moles and monitor monthly and take care of business.  YOU are your own best advocate.  You know your body best, not your derm.  So watch for change and be in control.  Cancer gives us a feeling of not being in control and the way to counter that is by careful observation (monthly) of your body using pictures – an independent eye.  Regular derm visits and sun safety.  Take control of the things you can control and let go the rest.

As for the tanning bed industry, search in FB for Donna Helm Regen.  She lost her daughter to melanoma – her daughter was an avid tanning bed user.  She has now become a powerful advocate for shutting them down along with other melanoma advocacy.

Yes, you had WAY more tests than any stage 1a person has – all that has done is add additional fear in my eyes.  But it is done.  STAY OFF THE INTERNET.  Time and not reading bad stories are the best way to move on.  I've seen thousands of early stages diagnosed over the 15+ years I've been on the site and you have to realize that they aren't still here.  And that is not in the bad connotation.  They have moved on.  Melanoma no longer rules their life.  They have no reason to check in here daily and read all the stories.  They moved on.  You need to work on moving on too.  And my final word is PICTURES.  Take pictures.  Watch for CHANGE.  Look for the UGLY DUCKLING or new and different.  Take control so you don't operate in fear mode,  you watch your moles and monitor monthly and take care of business.  YOU are your own best advocate.  You know your body best, not your derm.  So watch for change and be in control.  Cancer gives us a feeling of not being in control and the way to counter that is by careful observation (monthly) of your body using pictures – an independent eye.  Regular derm visits and sun safety.  Take control of the things you can control and let go the rest.

As for the tanning bed industry, search in FB for Donna Helm Regen.  She lost her daughter to melanoma – her daughter was an avid tanning bed user.  She has now become a powerful advocate for shutting them down along with other melanoma advocacy.

Yes, you had WAY more tests than any stage 1a person has – all that has done is add additional fear in my eyes.  But it is done.  STAY OFF THE INTERNET.  Time and not reading bad stories are the best way to move on.  I've seen thousands of early stages diagnosed over the 15+ years I've been on the site and you have to realize that they aren't still here.  And that is not in the bad connotation.  They have moved on.  Melanoma no longer rules their life.  They have no reason to check in here daily and read all the stories.  They moved on.  You need to work on moving on too.  And my final word is PICTURES.  Take pictures.  Watch for CHANGE.  Look for the UGLY DUCKLING or new and different.  Take control so you don't operate in fear mode,  you watch your moles and monitor monthly and take care of business.  YOU are your own best advocate.  You know your body best, not your derm.  So watch for change and be in control.  Cancer gives us a feeling of not being in control and the way to counter that is by careful observation (monthly) of your body using pictures – an independent eye.  Regular derm visits and sun safety.  Take control of the things you can control and let go the rest.

As for the tanning bed industry, search in FB for Donna Helm Regen.  She lost her daughter to melanoma – her daughter was an avid tanning bed user.  She has now become a powerful advocate for shutting them down along with other melanoma advocacy.

Wow. You have been through hte mill! Eitehr you have a very, VERY proactive doctor OR very good health cover because normally with a 0.75mm melanoma – stage 1 – you would not even have a SLNB let alone a MR/CT. Anyway, you can now rest assured, and I mean REALLY rest assured, that you are in the clear and have no need to stress or worry. I know it's one thing to hear this, it's another thing to feel it – I love your desription of a cat with claws stuck  in the ceiling – that's a perfectly normal reaction (especially as you are a parent, thinking of your young kids) and the only cure for that anxiety – in my experience – is time. Over time you will calm down and put things into perspective. Time heals all wounds. It's been a year since my diagnosis and only in the last few months (I'm a worry wart) have I calmed down about it all.

Wow. You have been through hte mill! Eitehr you have a very, VERY proactive doctor OR very good health cover because normally with a 0.75mm melanoma – stage 1 – you would not even have a SLNB let alone a MR/CT. Anyway, you can now rest assured, and I mean REALLY rest assured, that you are in the clear and have no need to stress or worry. I know it's one thing to hear this, it's another thing to feel it – I love your desription of a cat with claws stuck  in the ceiling – that's a perfectly normal reaction (especially as you are a parent, thinking of your young kids) and the only cure for that anxiety – in my experience – is time. Over time you will calm down and put things into perspective. Time heals all wounds. It's been a year since my diagnosis and only in the last few months (I'm a worry wart) have I calmed down about it all.

Wow. You have been through hte mill! Eitehr you have a very, VERY proactive doctor OR very good health cover because normally with a 0.75mm melanoma – stage 1 – you would not even have a SLNB let alone a MR/CT. Anyway, you can now rest assured, and I mean REALLY rest assured, that you are in the clear and have no need to stress or worry. I know it's one thing to hear this, it's another thing to feel it – I love your desription of a cat with claws stuck  in the ceiling – that's a perfectly normal reaction (especially as you are a parent, thinking of your young kids) and the only cure for that anxiety – in my experience – is time. Over time you will calm down and put things into perspective. Time heals all wounds. It's been a year since my diagnosis and only in the last few months (I'm a worry wart) have I calmed down about it all.