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Man’s Search for Meaning

Forums General Melanoma Community Man’s Search for Meaning

  • Post
    gpayne68
    Participant

      Have not contributed to this board before, but I am a Stage III (7mm, nodal) melanoma survivor diagnosed in January 2010 with WLE, SNB, and LND surgeries shortly thereafter.  Took INF for a month plus three weeks sub-Q but off now for quality-of-life reasons.  All scans are clear but working to get my career put back together (aka unemployed) after this unforseeable disruption to my life.

      Have not contributed to this board before, but I am a Stage III (7mm, nodal) melanoma survivor diagnosed in January 2010 with WLE, SNB, and LND surgeries shortly thereafter.  Took INF for a month plus three weeks sub-Q but off now for quality-of-life reasons.  All scans are clear but working to get my career put back together (aka unemployed) after this unforseeable disruption to my life.

      The reason for this message is to plug an old book called "Man's Search for Meaning" by Victor Frankl.  It is a best-selling book from 50+ years ago that has sold nearly 100 million copies in English.  The book first came to me in my early 20's.  I knew it had important messages for me but, with little context in my own life, the impact was muted.  Cancer has changed all of that.  I re-read Frankl's text recently and it is filled with psychological help for anyone going through a potentially life-ending disease.

      So, if you are struggling with the brutle psychological effects of Melanoma, please pick up this easy-to-read book.  You can find a lot of information on Wikipedia regarding Frankl's life.

      Geoff – Indiana

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    • Replies
        Jim M.
        Participant

          Thanks for the post. I read this book quite a few years ago as part of my Social Work studies. It has been sitting on my shelf for years and maybe it's asking to be picked up again. I remember how he focuses on the image of his wife to help him survive his experience in the concentration camp. (Hope this is right).

           

           Take care and God Bless,

           

           Jim M.

           Stage 3C

          Jim M.
          Participant

            Thanks for the post. I read this book quite a few years ago as part of my Social Work studies. It has been sitting on my shelf for years and maybe it's asking to be picked up again. I remember how he focuses on the image of his wife to help him survive his experience in the concentration camp. (Hope this is right).

             

             Take care and God Bless,

             

             Jim M.

             Stage 3C

            melanomafighter
            Participant

              I just wanted to let you know I too quit the interferon for quality of life.  I had some side effects with my eyes from the high doses.  Never went away and tried the home doses cause I didn't want to just give up but they were way worse on me than the high, I made it through two weeks and wanted to go back to work and not be sick anymore.  I could have kept going medically but I didn't want to lose my job.  I am so sorry that you did.  I just wanted to let you know you are not the only one that made that decision, I literally just did last Wednesday and today was my first day back to work after 4 months being off.  I am going to check out the book you listed and also to let you know I am also in Indiana.  Good luck on your scans and being NED.  I have my first scans in December.  Also when I got my release the dr said the month of high dose in his opinion and many other drs is enough protection.  He also gave me a prescription for Vitamin D pill.  I had simply asked since 28 of my nodes were taken (all negative) what kind of diet or vitamins should I be focusing on and he gave me that.  It must be a strong one, you only get one pill for seven days.  Thanks for sharing your story and book

               

              Tersia in Indiana

              melanomafighter
              Participant

                I just wanted to let you know I too quit the interferon for quality of life.  I had some side effects with my eyes from the high doses.  Never went away and tried the home doses cause I didn't want to just give up but they were way worse on me than the high, I made it through two weeks and wanted to go back to work and not be sick anymore.  I could have kept going medically but I didn't want to lose my job.  I am so sorry that you did.  I just wanted to let you know you are not the only one that made that decision, I literally just did last Wednesday and today was my first day back to work after 4 months being off.  I am going to check out the book you listed and also to let you know I am also in Indiana.  Good luck on your scans and being NED.  I have my first scans in December.  Also when I got my release the dr said the month of high dose in his opinion and many other drs is enough protection.  He also gave me a prescription for Vitamin D pill.  I had simply asked since 28 of my nodes were taken (all negative) what kind of diet or vitamins should I be focusing on and he gave me that.  It must be a strong one, you only get one pill for seven days.  Thanks for sharing your story and book

                 

                Tersia in Indiana

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