I scheduled an appointment with a dermatologist within my network in early 2020. My arm had this scab that would not seem to heal.

During the visit, the dermatologist biopsied the scab and forwarded it to the laboratory for examination. The office of the dermatologist called weeks later inquiring about the results of the biopsy.

“Unfortunately, the test results we obtained show that you have malignant melanoma. We’re sending you to an expert. They will get in touch to set up a first appointment as soon as possible.”.

My experience was receiving cancer care.

My head was certainly racing after that initial diagnosis, but my care accelerated exponentially from there.

The next few days were pretty good, as my local hospital surgical oncologist’s office finally called me back, so they scheduled me an appointment.

The tumour was on the smaller side because my cancer was discovered very early, but there was a chance that it had progressed to my lymph nodes. The surgeon explained all the phases of malignant melanoma and the numerous treatment options I may have.

If the melanoma had spread, chances for survival for five years would have been drastically decreased as far more intensive therapy would have been required.

During that first visit, I was adrift in a sea of statistics and odds. My surgeon gave me a lot of information, as a cancer novice, but she was really kind and patient. I think that must take a lot of practice to make me feel safe and cared for like she did.

I was immediately scheduled for surgery at a cancer hospital in the neighbourhood. I went to the hospital early in the morning on the day of surgery so that I could complete everything on the presurvey list. I spent a few hours in the hospital bed before surgery as the medical staff prepared me for it.

The doctors surgically removed as much of the surrounding skin as possible to have an even higher chance that it will be totally excised since the diameter is a mere few millimetres. In the process, they took a biopsy from one of the closest lymph nodes to determine if there were cancerous cells spreading throughout

Follow-up and aftercare

The process followed was that I got constant calls from the surgeon’s office and the hospital staff regarding my progress. They contacted me right after they received the report of the lymph node biopsy saying that, happily, melanoma had not spread.

This meant that instead of rigorous therapy, we could shift to an intense surveillance routine.

I have an oncological surgeon or dermatologist perform a full visual body check on me every four months because I am persistent with cancer.

Tests, biopsies, and aggressive monitoring ensure that the cancer hasn’t returned. Doctors remove anything that appears to be cancerous as soon as the tests reveal it and send it for further examination. To make sure nothing new is developing in my head or chest, I get yearly CT and MRI scans.

Knowing that we are monitoring closely and are looking for the recurrence helps give me the confidence to go about my daily life, despite these tests being costly and at times difficult.

What I would like to tell others

While considering my trip, I would appreciate the knowledge of my team. Their attention to the tiniest detail in informing me at every stage of this trip has been so energizing and kind to me.

Cancer is fatal. A diagnosis scares. My medical staff has been sympathetic and considerate while assisting me in comprehending all that I need to deal with this challenging disease.

It might be hard to think about the potential consequences when it comes to cancer. It might be hard to make sense of it all. Every time they checked in with me, my medical staff made sure I knew the full ramifications of my diagnosis and treatment.

The bottom line

I beg of you all to stay as engaged and involved as possible with the care team you will be referred to when you receive this diagnosis. They are there to take care of you and walk you through this process completely, so to speak.

By Sean McGinnis of KURU Footwear Direct-to-consumer shoe firm that produces fashionable footwear focused on alleviating foot ailments such as plantar fasciitis. He hails from Utah.