Advice

I am writing this to get some feedback on my upcoming, first visit to an Oncologist. I had a melanoma in situ in 2005 and a recurrence on 2006. Plastic surgery first, moh's surgery second. I visit my Dermatologist every three months for checks. I had soreness in my neck at my gynecological check-up in January and he ordered a CT scan of soft tissue of neck and chest. It revealed two borderline lymph nodes. He thought that I should see an Oncologist at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. I am scheduled on Monday,( April 28th) and wondered if anyone could give my advice on questions that I might ask.  I am scheduled for labs.  I thought someone with experience could advise me.

Thanks!

scottp

Good Morning ScottP,

With out the results of your labs, it is difficult to suggest direct questions you would need to know.   My suggestion for you is to bring someone with you.  Two sets of ears are much better than one.  When your results come back, make sure you bring that person with you again when you consult with your doctors.  I can't stress enough the importance of having a "partner" with you during this journey.  Don't try to hide or protect others from what you are going through. 

Please remember that although Melanoma is a serious and aggresive cancer, early detection is the key.   

 

Runabout,

Thanks for the reply.  My husband, who is very supportive, will be with me at my appointment.  He will be my "other ears". Good suggestion and one that someone else had given me.  I appreciate your time.  Have a great weekend.

scottp

Runabout,

Good evening! I wanted to tell you that my husband and I had a very successful visit to Duke on Monday.  The doctor said that there was less than .5% chance that my melanoma would have spread. They reworked my pathologies from both surgeries and agreed with the results. However, because there were two borderline lymph nodes on the CT scan in January, they felt that I should have a PET/CT scan ASAP. So that is what I am going to do on in two weeks. They said, of course,that they need to make sure this isn't coming from another source. So, I feel good about it and will be glad when that day comes.  Thanks for your advice. My husband went in with me and we felt very good about everything.

scottsp

-----quote----- That is great news on your Duke visit. I hope everything comes out great on your Pet/CT scan reports!! Do you mind letting me know what doctor at Duke you are seeing. My mother has mucosal melanoma and her surgeon who removed her tumor is Dr. Sam Fisher at Duke. We are trying to find a good medical oncologist and are looking for advice. We live in Charlotte. Thanks! On 4/30/2008 scottp wrote: Runabout,Good evening! I wanted to tell you that my husband and I had a very successful visit to Duke on Monday.  The doctor said that there was less than .5% chance that my melanoma would have spread. They reworked my pathologies from both surgeries and agreed with the results. However, because there were two borderline lymph nodes on the CT scan in January, they felt that I should have a PET/CT scan ASAP. So that is what I am going to do on in two weeks. They said, of course,that they need to make sure this isn't coming from another source. So, I feel good about it and will be glad when that day comes.  Thanks for your advice. My husband went in with me and we felt very good about everything.scottsp -----end quote------

On 4/30/2008 scottp wrote:

Runabout,

Good evening! I wanted to tell you that my husband and I had a very successful visit to Duke on Monday.  The doctor said that there was less than .5% chance that my melanoma would have spread. They reworked my pathologies from both surgeries and agreed with the results. However, because there were two borderline lymph nodes on the CT scan in January, they felt that I should have a PET/CT scan ASAP. So that is what I am going to do on in two weeks. They said, of course,that they need to make sure this isn't coming from another source. So, I feel good about it and will be glad when that day comes.  Thanks for your advice. My husband went in with me and we felt very good about everything.

scottsp

-----quote----- That is great news on your Duke visit. I hope everything comes out great on your Pet/CT scan reports!! Do you mind letting me know what doctor at Duke you are seeing. My mother has mucosal melanoma and her surgeon who removed her tumor is Dr. Sam Fisher at Duke. We are trying to find a good medical oncologist and are looking for advice. We live in Charlotte. Thanks! On 4/30/2008 scottp wrote: Runabout,Good evening! I wanted to tell you that my husband and I had a very successful visit to Duke on Monday.  The doctor said that there was less than .5% chance that my melanoma would have spread. They reworked my pathologies from both surgeries and agreed with the results. However, because there were two borderline lymph nodes on the CT scan in January, they felt that I should have a PET/CT scan ASAP. So that is what I am going to do on in two weeks. They said, of course,that they need to make sure this isn't coming from another source. So, I feel good about it and will be glad when that day comes.  Thanks for your advice. My husband went in with me and we felt very good about everything.scottsp -----end quote------

On 4/30/2008 scottp wrote:

Runabout,

Good evening! I wanted to tell you that my husband and I had a very successful visit to Duke on Monday.  The doctor said that there was less than .5% chance that my melanoma would have spread. They reworked my pathologies from both surgeries and agreed with the results. However, because there were two borderline lymph nodes on the CT scan in January, they felt that I should have a PET/CT scan ASAP. So that is what I am going to do on in two weeks. They said, of course,that they need to make sure this isn't coming from another source. So, I feel good about it and will be glad when that day comes.  Thanks for your advice. My husband went in with me and we felt very good about everything.

scottsp

mimi8

I am seeing Dr. Amy Abernethy at Duke. She is a medical oncologist. I have been very pleased. I hope everything turns out well for your mother.  I live five hours from Duke. You are blessed to be close.

scottp

Thanks for your response. My mom has also seen Dr. Abernathy. Dr. Sam Fisher is the Head and Neck Surgeon at Duke who operated on my mom and who recommended Dr. Abernathy. Mom is going to also get second opinions on her treatment options from Dr. Kim at MD Anderson and Dr. Hodi at Dana Farber. Good luck to you!

Best wishes to your mom. Do you have any advice for me considering that she has already seen Dr.Abernethy? I'm glad that you have a plan and will get another opinion. Hopefully, she will be able to make a decision that she feels good about.

scottsp