Choroidal Melanoma

ashleemondo
ashleemondo Member Posts: 2 *
in Rare and Other Cancers #1

Hello everyone, I was writing to find anyone else who may have this cancer. I was just diagnosed with this cancer after going to my eye doctor. I woke up one morning and noticed an increased amount of floaters in my vision. I blew it off for months and also because I didn't have insurance or money to pay for an eye visit. When I finally got the money to see an optometrist, I went to Target Optical. I did the picture scans of the eye, and that's when the optometrist said that I had some form of detachment of my retina. She quickly contacted my primary doctor to request that they send a referral to a retinal specialist. I was seen the next day and the optometrist confirmed that it wasn't a detachment but it was melanoma in my retina. I didn't even know that it was possible to have melanoma inside of the eye. They then sent me to a different doctor who specializes in these types of issues and he confirmed that it was indeed Melanoma. He even told me as well that this cancer is rare, 1 in 4 million. I am waiting for MRIs to be scheduled, as well as a biopsy/mapping surgery next month. They will map the tumor in my eye with special markers and then I consult with a radiation specialist to get a mask made for my face to use during radiation. And then I will be going to radiation for 4 days in a row.

With all that being said, are there others out there who are experiencing this now or in the past? and how was your process?

Currently, I'm on anti-anxiety medications because the anxiety of this all is completely unbearable. And I guess, I am curious if it's normal to have this much anxiety while having cancer.

Thank you all for taking the time to read and comment.

Comments

  • eDivebuddy
    eDivebuddy Member Posts: 94 Member
    #2

    I haven’t had uveal melanoma, but my wife gets checked for it regularly since she’s had melanoma before. I know it’s extremely rare in people who aren’t light-skinned—less than 1 in a million.

    The fact that they’re contemplating radiation is a good sign that, even with the delay, it’s still early. Are you having proton therapy?

    Anxiety is completely normal. I haven’t met a single person who didn’t feel some level of it. I refused help at first, but after a couple of weeks without sleep, I found myself talking to my dead relatives. One call to the cancer center later, and I had a prescription for Xanax. I slept for days. It took me a couple of years to stop having random panic attacks, and I still feel a little anxious sometimes—but nothing like before.

    Good luck to you.

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