Christine, United States

It started with something that didn’t realize was there —a spot on my skin on the back of my thigh. with an odd size, shape and color.Little did I know that a biopsy wuld into a cancer diagnosis, let alone melanoma. Like so many people, I didn’t think it could happen to me. But it did. What began as a single spot became a life-changing journey that I’m still walking through today.

My biggest challenge has been learning how to live with uncertainty. The scans. The waiting. The fear of recurrence. The way cancer doesn’t always end when treatment ends. Balancing being a mom, an advocate, and a patient—while also managing chronic pain and side effects—has been incredibly hard. Cancer takes more than your health; it takes your sense of safety, and you have to rebuild that piece by piece.

Connection. My children, my friends, the melanoma community, and people who truly understood what this journey feels like. Advocacy also saved me in many ways—using my voice gave purpose to my pain. And learning to slow down, listen to my body, and allow myself grace helped me survive not just physically, but emotionally too.

I’ve experienced both compassion and frustration. I’ve had incredible doctors and nurses who listened, explained, and treated me like a human being—not just a diagnosis. But I’ve also seen how overwhelming, complicated, and exhausting the system can be for patients, especially those navigating cancer long-term. Access, affordability, and being heard should never feel like a battle when you’re already fighting for your life.

Trust your body. Advocate for yourself—even when it feels uncomfortable. Ask questions. Get second opinions. Protect your skin. And if you’re facing cancer, know this: you are allowed to rest, to feel afraid, to change, and to grow. You don’t have to be strong every moment. Just keep showing up—one breath, one step, one day at a time.