Working during or after a diagnosis...

[CassieMRF]

Hello, my name is Cassie Beisel and I am a two-time cancer survivor.

Like many, I am part of a growing population who has a personal connection to melanoma. In 2011 I was diagnosed with stage IIIB melanoma and have been "no evidence of disease" (N.E.D.) for six years.

After my second cancer diagnosis, I decided I needed to uproot my life in hospitality to serve a bigger purpose, one that I could connect my mind, body, and soul to. I was lucky enough to make that leap and now work as the Senior Volunteer Coordinator at the MRF.

Who has made a career change during or after their diagnosis or has worried about rejoining the workforce after a diagnosis? I would love to hear people's stories!

[ohdot50]

Hi Cassie,

I am so very happy to hear that you are doing well 6 years post diagnosis. It is very uplifting for me to hear. My 42 year old son was diagnosed exactly one year ago tomorrow with stage 2-A Melanoma. His was very deep at 2.9 mm. He has check up's every 3 months and at every 6 month interval he gets a chest x-ray and blood work. He will be going in the next few weeks for the x-ray and blood work. When he was first diagnosed I was beyond frightened. I had no idea how very serious this disease is. I, like many others just thought it was excised and that was it. How wrong I was. I pray every day that this horrible disease can be cured for everyone. Thank you for the positive story that you shared, that there is life beyond a melanoma diagnosis. You make me hopeful.

Sincerely,

Dot

[wings59 Ambassador]

Hi Cassie,

I didn't you you came from hospitality! I have been in industry since 2004. I have worked various positions from front desk, reservations, revenue management, and my latest transition- IT! I start next week!

The staging of ocular melanoma really doesn't compare to other cancer staging. It is a little more complicated than what I will describe but it really doesn't change the overall description.

In ocular melanoma you're either stage I or IV. There's not a whole lot of in-between on the staging. IE you have it in your eye and no where else in your body, or you're metastatic.

If you're not metastatic you can lead a pretty normal life, if you are, well. I don't need to describe that

Recovery for enucleation and plaque is about the same, one to two weeks. Of course emotional recovery to return to work could be a different story.

You bring up an interesting topic that doesn't affect most people in the ocular melanoma space. Missing work. In total, I missed one full week of work and maybe another 7-10 days sporadically due to appointments.

From my experience, it is very important to have a good support group. My partner has been by my side supporting me through everything. I also have had great support from my physicians. Having a close knit support group significantly helps with these challenges that arise.

The oculoplastic surgeon who performed the enucleation said, "the best thing you can do is go back to your normal life as quickly and comfortably as you can."

I had my enucleation surgery on a Friday, and went back to work the Monday of the week after that. I was out a total of one week and one day.

[Robynfine]

I want to do something I am passionate about but haven't been able to yet. My dream would be to educate youth about sun safety and melanoma awareness. Yes, I do that on a volunteer basis but would love to make a career out of it.

[strawberryjam]

Hi Cassie

I , too, found hope in your story . My 28 year old son also has melanoma stage 3B . May i ask what therapies you have had? He is in surgery today and then a year of immunotherapy was suggested but we don’t know much more yet. All information is welcome .

[CassieMRF Partner in reply to strawberryjam]

Hi - So happy you could find a bit of hope in my story. That's the most inspirational part of sharing. I had surgery to remove my lymph nodes in my right arm followed by a year of interferon. I did the whole year and it was not without challenge but certainly doable. Yervoy was in trial at this time and was not an option to me and Keytruda and Opdivo were not yet an option. One of the best decisions I made while on treatment was taking an anti-depressant as some of the treatments can cause depression. Sending positive thoughts to you and your son.