What To Do When Your Spouse Is Diagnosed With Skin Cancer - First 5 Things You Should Do

When you get a call, like I did, from your spouseAt some point, you're going to join your spouse at
telling you his dermatologists thinks he has melanoma,the doctor's office. At this point, you will ask for a
the first 5 things you should do are:recommended Oncologist (preferably an expert in
1. LISTENskin
Your spouse will tell you everything you need toCancer, but not absolutely necessary).
know initially. What the doctor thinks the stage isAfter a course of action has been suggested,
(Melanoma is gauged in stages 1,2,3,4). No one willimmediately find another topmedical center and
know forsure without a biopsy, but they have adoctor for a Second Opinion. And there is nothing in
pretty good idea.theworld wrong with getting a third.
No matter what the stage, it will have an initialYour spouse and you consider options. Sometimes
distressing effect. In my case,my husband's doctorthere will be morethan one option. This can be
thought it was Stage 4.extremely anxiety provoking. There is no easyway
After you have the facts, there are things youto deal with this. You can pray, you can ask advice,
yourself can do. Even if it's a speck, melanoma is abut ultimately you andyour spouse (or if your spouse
very serious, sometimes life-threatening disease, sois comfortable, he'll make his own decision) willhave to
you will want to consider No. 2. If it is a disturbingcome to a decision.
diagnosis, you will definitely want togo to No. 2.No matter which way you go, who decides what,
2. CALL ANYONE YOU KNOW WHO HAS HAD SKINsometimes there is no sureanswer.
CANCER OR KNOWS SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD5. AFTER THE TREATMENT
SKINAs long as there's another day of life, and when life
CANCERis at stake, you must continue researching.
If your friend has experienced it first hand (in theResearching will be your best friend.
family), you will get valuable answers to the questionAnd if you don't like the way your doctor is handling
"What do I do?"things, or maybe he's not showing enough interest
The answers I got ranged from the hospital wherewith your spouse's questions, or your questions, or
the individual got treatment, the doctor whowhat to do next, or anything that doesn't feel right
oversaw the treatment, the opinion of thatto you, get another doctor!
treatment, where else the person got treated, theDifficult as it is, we changed doctors 3 or more times.
doctor who oversaw that treatment the opinion ofHis second dermatologistoverlooked missed
that treatment, and any cancer organizations and/orsomething so staggeringly major, I almost fainted
websites you can go to learn about this disease.when I discovered it. At least ten serious actions
3. RESEARCHcame to my mind regarding that doctor, but time and
This is the most important single task you will do.energy was needing for taking the next step.
And you are just beginning.I honestly don't remember through what source ...
You want to learn everything you can learn, becausethe paper, a person, a friend, told me about a doctor
you never know what you will find that may help.back east who, when appropriate, imported a drug
American Cancer Societyfrom France that was going through trials that
AAD (American Academy of Dermatology)matched my husband's circumstances.
Institutes of Health - Skin CancerThe doctor back east studied our "case", and agreed
From one of these sources ... friends, cancerto send the drug.
organizations, internet, you will find treatment centersIn the end, I lost my husband to the disease. And
near where you live.we don't know for sure that thedrug from France
4. AFTER THE DIAGNOSIS HAS BEEN CONFIRMEDhelped, but we think it gave him 3 more years.