Survivorship Plan

[Charliemanzano]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone had any experience developing a survivorship plan. I recently went to a young adult cancer conference and went to a session involving developing a survivorship plan with your oncologist, social workers, and health team.

Would one of these be necessary for those of us who have melanoma and are being treated with immunotherapy which has a nearly 100 percent cure rate?

Thanks!

-Charlie

[Hidden]

I’m curious about what immunotherapy you are receiving Charlie? My daughter, who was 25 and on immunotherapy and chemo, passed in February. I have know several other young people who have also passed from the disease.

[VivaciousMo in reply to Hidden]

Hi Dwalach, so sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine how much you have gone through. I am 27 and trying to live through this as healthy and well as possible so my parents don't have to experience what you are going through. But we just never know! I hope you can find moments of peace!

[VivaciousMo]

Hi Charlie, I think it is great to be optimistic about outcomes and stay focused on all the great advancements that have been made. I also think that developing a survivorship plan can be a good tool to use to give yourself the best chance at staying melanoma free! If you plan ways to take care of yourself physically, mentally, emotionally in a long-term way, I think that increases your chances of success.

I do have experience creating a survivorship plan when I was one year NED, however a few weeks after that I had a recurrence and only then did I really kick it into high gear and started taking my plan seriously. I eat better now, try to sleep more, and I see a counselor regularly. I go to yoga few times a week. I am trying to be active every day in some way. I cut out a lot of stressful things from my life. I am hopeful that these changes will help me to live my best, healthiest life. I think it could be helpful for you to create a plan that would help you to do the same. Melanoma is a tricky disease but many people do overcome it and live through it! I hope more and more of us are in that camp! Wishing you the best. Feel free to reach out whenever! I've been there, done that!

[ohdot50]

I am very interested in hearing what immunotherapy has nearly a 100% successful cure rate. I have yet to hear those statistics. A survivorship plan is excellent no matter what the stage.