39 year old cousin just diagnosed with metatastic melanoma. I live 12 hours away i feel helpless…What can I do to help?

Hi,

My best friend lives in California, so I can sympathize with your situation! She has been there for me via many, many phone calls just to check in and see how I am holding up…and to tell me that she loves me and I am in her thoughts and to keep up the positive thinking… I know it doesn't sound like much, but I can tell you that her calls have made a BIG difference and have helped boost my spirits during this difficult time!

She is always on the lookout on the Internet for news and info on melanoma and complimentary therapies, and she forwards me everything she finds that she thinks is worthwhile. She always remains positive and encouraging, and even though she's not physically here, I can still feel the love all the way from the West Coast!!

So don't believe for a moment that the 12-hour distance between you and your cousin will keep you from making a big difference in her life! If you want to take it a step further, both of you can install video cams and keep in touch "live" via Skype. And if you do make a trip there to see her, the best thing you can do is make her a big batch of her favorite homemade soup so she has something easy to fix on the days she's feeling physically drained. Offering to clean the house and do laundry also goes a long way, since there's nothing worse than feeling like crap and having a mountain of laundry looming in the corner or dust rhinos attacking you from under the bed, lol!

Hope this helps!

Lynn

Hi,

My best friend lives in California, so I can sympathize with your situation! She has been there for me via many, many phone calls just to check in and see how I am holding up…and to tell me that she loves me and I am in her thoughts and to keep up the positive thinking… I know it doesn't sound like much, but I can tell you that her calls have made a BIG difference and have helped boost my spirits during this difficult time!

She is always on the lookout on the Internet for news and info on melanoma and complimentary therapies, and she forwards me everything she finds that she thinks is worthwhile. She always remains positive and encouraging, and even though she's not physically here, I can still feel the love all the way from the West Coast!!

So don't believe for a moment that the 12-hour distance between you and your cousin will keep you from making a big difference in her life! If you want to take it a step further, both of you can install video cams and keep in touch "live" via Skype. And if you do make a trip there to see her, the best thing you can do is make her a big batch of her favorite homemade soup so she has something easy to fix on the days she's feeling physically drained. Offering to clean the house and do laundry also goes a long way, since there's nothing worse than feeling like crap and having a mountain of laundry looming in the corner or dust rhinos attacking you from under the bed, lol!

Hope this helps!

Lynn

Hi,

My best friend lives in California, so I can sympathize with your situation! She has been there for me via many, many phone calls just to check in and see how I am holding up…and to tell me that she loves me and I am in her thoughts and to keep up the positive thinking… I know it doesn't sound like much, but I can tell you that her calls have made a BIG difference and have helped boost my spirits during this difficult time!

She is always on the lookout on the Internet for news and info on melanoma and complimentary therapies, and she forwards me everything she finds that she thinks is worthwhile. She always remains positive and encouraging, and even though she's not physically here, I can still feel the love all the way from the West Coast!!

So don't believe for a moment that the 12-hour distance between you and your cousin will keep you from making a big difference in her life! If you want to take it a step further, both of you can install video cams and keep in touch "live" via Skype. And if you do make a trip there to see her, the best thing you can do is make her a big batch of her favorite homemade soup so she has something easy to fix on the days she's feeling physically drained. Offering to clean the house and do laundry also goes a long way, since there's nothing worse than feeling like crap and having a mountain of laundry looming in the corner or dust rhinos attacking you from under the bed, lol!

Hope this helps!

Lynn

So sorry to hear about your cousin's diagnosis. It is shocking and heartbreaking news but it is not a guarantee that this means the end. I know, I was diagnosed stage IV over 7 years ago, and I'm still here.

Reach out and support and encourage your cousin to see a oncologist who specializes in melanoma; seek a couple of opinions on treatment options; and take control of her case by choosing which course she wants to take– it's very empowering to know that you, the patient are in charge and working with the docs to beat back this disease.

Be hopeful, positive, and encouraging.

Meanwhile, you can also learn more about what your cousin is going through by reading There's a Place Called Hope: A Guide to Beating Cancer in Mind-Sized Bits.

A family member sent it to me and I shared it with all my family. It really helped them to see my perspective and know more what to say and help me with.

Best to your cousin. Keep us posted,

Karen

So sorry to hear about your cousin's diagnosis. It is shocking and heartbreaking news but it is not a guarantee that this means the end. I know, I was diagnosed stage IV over 7 years ago, and I'm still here.

Reach out and support and encourage your cousin to see a oncologist who specializes in melanoma; seek a couple of opinions on treatment options; and take control of her case by choosing which course she wants to take– it's very empowering to know that you, the patient are in charge and working with the docs to beat back this disease.

Be hopeful, positive, and encouraging.

Meanwhile, you can also learn more about what your cousin is going through by reading There's a Place Called Hope: A Guide to Beating Cancer in Mind-Sized Bits.

A family member sent it to me and I shared it with all my family. It really helped them to see my perspective and know more what to say and help me with.

Best to your cousin. Keep us posted,

Karen

So sorry to hear about your cousin's diagnosis. It is shocking and heartbreaking news but it is not a guarantee that this means the end. I know, I was diagnosed stage IV over 7 years ago, and I'm still here.

Reach out and support and encourage your cousin to see a oncologist who specializes in melanoma; seek a couple of opinions on treatment options; and take control of her case by choosing which course she wants to take– it's very empowering to know that you, the patient are in charge and working with the docs to beat back this disease.

Be hopeful, positive, and encouraging.

Meanwhile, you can also learn more about what your cousin is going through by reading There's a Place Called Hope: A Guide to Beating Cancer in Mind-Sized Bits.

A family member sent it to me and I shared it with all my family. It really helped them to see my perspective and know more what to say and help me with.

Best to your cousin. Keep us posted,

Karen