CancerCompass message board discussion started by Amex2008 on 4/20/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,11469,0.htm Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ My sisters husband was just diagnosed with Stage III melanoma.  I would really like some advice on how to be supportive through this.  I'm not really sure how men deal with these issues vs. how women deal with them.  Women will talk about it.  What should I say to him?  I don't want to be too grim, but I don't want to be super cheer leader either.  Any advice is appreciated.    Amex2008 Fri, 20 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT Just be there for him and let him know you care. Call often, it's important to know you are not going through this alone.Good luck to him  Qualitytv Fri, 20 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT Just be normal. Having family & friends around to just be company, helpsthe patients mind stay busy and not dwell on their disease.  Cook dinners run errands, help with trips to the doctor.  There is nothing for you to say, let the patient initally bring this up and then the door opens for your talkabout treament, etc. Dean in Georgia Fri, 20 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 4/20/2007 Qualitytv wrote:Just be there for him and let him know you care. Call often, it's important to know you are not going through this alone.Good luck to him  Thank you so much. Amex2008 Fri, 20 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT Thank you so much Amex2008 Fri, 20 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT My husband has stage IV melanoma. He thanks me all the time for being realistic about it. He has always been the positive cheerful person. His e-mail is cheerful.com. He gets tired of his friends trying to be cheerful and telling him he will be OK. He tells me it helps him to be able to talk openly and honestly about it. Facts are facts. And the facts are not good. But most of the time I just ask him how he feels and he will bring up the subject of cancer. I wish you and your loved one all the best. Roxannehoo Mon, 23 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT