Tips for staying positive?

I'd be lying if I said I didn't have some really blue moments. Spring and summer are always difficult for me. I love being outdoors and doing yard work and try to get to the beach once a year, if possible. All of those things changed after my melanoma diagnosis. Now, I use the time I would have been outdoors in the heat of the day to write about my experiences. I put off those outdoor activities until the harshest part of the day is past. Writing keeps me positive, focused, and it gives me direction. While treating with Efudex, I'm especially prone to depression. Efudex is an overwhelming experience. It helps greatly to have a support group to turn to and vent and ask questions. As with any burden, turning to family and good friends helps ease the pain and tends to lift my spirits. April, SkinCancer.net, Moderator

I think that when I get down I deal with it a few ways. I try to use this experience as a motivation to help others. I use it to fuel my motivation to advocate for and support others. I guess it helps me feel that this whole experience serves some sort of bigger purpose and lends meaning to my life. I have also seen parts of the world where people struggle to find food and clean drinking water and this helps me with my perspective and to count the blessings in my life. This perspective empowers me to overcome my "blue" days and roll on.

I have only been dealing with the diagnosis of skin cancer for a few months. I feel like I am still shocked and overwhelmed most of the time. I really had no idea what skin cancer was or how serious it is. I went online in an attempt to educate myself. I stumbled across this website and read other peoples struggles. These has helped a lot. I dont feel so alone and conflcted anymore. I now realize how many people are fighting their own battles and surviving. I would say this has been my way of staying positive. Even though I have never met anyone I feel a connection, gives me hope and strength to stay positive. Thank you all for sharing your journey.

Upbeat music. My faith is very important. I just keep telling myself—you have been healed. You are doing great.