I'm A Mother Of Two Very Young Children And Have L-2 Melanoma And Need Help

My 33 year old daughter has just been diagnosed with Level 2 melanoma in the center of her back. It was detected during her third trimester right before the birth of our second grandson, who is now three months old. Someone in the Atlanta, GA area, please respond with the name of a skilled oncologist/surgeon. She's meeting with a doctor at Emory Hospital tomorrow, but doesn't know who to trust. Please help.

Prayfully,
Glenann

Try to get her to Houston Texas at MD Anderson

Dean in Atlanta,
Thank you for your rapid response. M.D. Anderson in Houston was suggested to me today by a teacher friend at school. I'm starting to get frustrated because I feel a tremendous sense of urgency, and it seems that the dialogue between our daughter's dermatologist in Cartersville and the dermatologist at Emory is taking too long. Shannon , as of late this afternoon, has a consultative visit at Emory next Tues. She is leaning toward finding a specialist closer to Cartersville, eg. (Kennestone Hospital.) She doesn't want to be so far away from the little boys. I feel this may be a huge mistake to choose a smaller institution.
Have you had a personal experience with the cancer research hospital in Houston? Do you know a particular specialist that is renown in melanoma surgery and treatment at this hospital?

Prayfully,
GlenAnn

Yes, my son was treated at Houston. By pass the locals, especially Emory University. We were also at North Georgia Oncologist in Kennesaw. Houston is a first class operation, you do not have to a referral from a doctor unless your insurance company requires this. You make your own appointments. MD Anderson was rated the #1 Cancer Hospital in the world from NewsWeek world reports. They treat aggressivley and are unique to their set-up. Example, when my son was in the hospital section receiving treatment and ready to go home, the pharmicist comes to the room for prescriptions, they are (MD Anderson) the largest single pharamcy in the world. Visit their website, they have a travel department as they treat people from all over the world. Many type accomodations are available. They make each patient feel they are the only patient. When you go to MD Anderson's website, search for the department (dermatologist) that your daughter falls under and you can find out about that department and it will list all the doctors in the department, treatments, etc. You will be assigned a doctor when you make the appointments. View all the website very informative. Fly into Houston Hobby Airport, it is only about 25 minutes to MD Anderson, unless you drive. I know your daughter hates to disrup to life with her children, however her future is at stake. Go to the best.

I did not get to finish my last message so it continues to you. You cannot delay with Melanoma as it jumps around, it travels to the lymph nodes, lungs, and brain. Catching it earily is most important. Agressive treatment. Later I will finish this and tell you about my sons journey with Melanoma.

Thank you, Dean. I detect a sense of urgency in your tone. I'll be in touch.
God be with you,

Prayerfully,
Glenann

melanoma's that have not spread beyond the site where they developed are highly cureable. This would include stage II as, by defination, these have not spread to lymph nodes and have no distant mets. Once melanoma begins to spread (metastatic melanoma) it is rarely cureable. The 5 year survival rate for localized melanoma is over 95%. Be thankful it was caught early and continue with frequent checkups.

Hang in there with your daughter. My husband and I just returned from the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. I highly recomend them to you. They are a comprehensive center, and was very informative and helpful. They gave direction where no one else could. We now have a treatment plan, and the prognosis is very much encouraging. Also, stage 2 is normally cureable.

They have a department that specializes in common and uncommon cancers. They also have a Melanoma Research Clinic. Dr. Daud is our Oncologist.

Be blessed with on this journey. My prayers are with you all.


Gail
Tallahassee, Florida

Someone I recomend is Cancer Treatment Centers of America/Southwestern Regional Medical Center. I am a 6 year survivor of Stage 3 Maligant Melanoma. My prognosis was death in 5 yrs or a reoccurance. Do NOT dwell on the prognosis, that is negative thinking and postive is what you must be. Call 888.816.5122 and ask for Oncology Information Specialist. They will answer all your questions, are very informed about all types of cancer; and have more than one hospital and will refer you to the one best suited to your location and cancer treatment. They offer the Holistic approach and believe me my body needed help to handle the surgeries and years worth of Chemo. But with God's help I did it and your daughter can too. Thru nutrition, naturopath, mind/body therapy, massage, rehab, pain management, Faith Factor etc., there is so much you as patient can do to help the oncologist and the treatment plan work in your body. Be proactive also with a dermatoligist and be aware of "any" change on body and "LIVE" Living with cancer is doable and then the next step is being in remission. Yeahhh!! I am a 6 yr survivor and go for checkkups every 6 mos. If it would help to talk to me my phone number can be given thru the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Tulsa, OK. My energy level is forever changed and some other "liveable" sideaffects from the chemo and surgeries, but life with my children and grandchildren, neices and nephews is just so sweet, colors so bright, flowers and food odors now are so wonderful. May God give you wisdom and direction. If you don't hear from anyone with the 800 # I gave you, call it back and ask for another 24/7 # that will still route you to who you need to talk to. Sister in Christ, Sheila Plummer

I agree also that Stage one and stage 2 are highly curable and are at that stage because they were caught early. If you would like a personal touch/comfortable atmosphere where they call you by name no less and not a "number" the Cancer Treatment Centers of America have several excellent oncologists and have many patients that were told my MD Anderson to go home and get their affairs in order they could do nothing. I met many of these people personally, that is stealing hope. Also if there is another hospital in the nation that can help your daughters specific cancer, Cancer Treatment Centers will tell you and recommend that you go there. They want whats best for you the patient and that may not be going to their facility. Doesn't happen often. The hospital also flys the patient round trip,if not on medicare, every single time to the hospital and will pay for a family member too, the first time, but always the patient. They also have outpatient guestrooms within the hospital itself, with organic food cafeteria, and provide transportaion away from the hospital for a "Day out" to shop go to a park etc., along with all the other holistic opportunities I mentioned in the 1st message. You will have many opinions and strong recommendations; but pray and ask God to give you divine direction, I did, and for me, He sent me to CTCA in Tulsa OK. Their web site is www.cancercenter.com Hope that can give you info as well. God speed and rest easy stage 2 is a early diagnosis, but melanoma being what it is, don't dwadle get going somewhere and have a treatment plan in progress. Sheila