› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Appointment with Vanderbuilt Ingram Cancer Center and Dr Mary Hooks
- This topic has 5 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 8 months ago by
Bubbles.
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- December 28, 2018 at 6:15 pm
So. We saw the 1st of 2 surgical oncologists yesterday, Dr Mary Hooks at Vanderbilt in Nashville. She agreed with pathology as 2a melanoma. Her reccomendation is WLE and SLNB and wants it done by mid-January. So we see the second surgical oncologist on Jan 7th Dr Richard Geer and then I guess we will go from there.
HOWEVER —–
This all "feels" very rushed. I, by no means, am claiming to be any kind of expert in anything medical and refuse to be a WebMd certified junkie, but have been left with far more questions since seeing her yesterday than answers to them. Is this a normal, because my husband and I both feel like we are being pushed to have this very invasive surgey for a what if. We left yesterday feeling like we had been running a marathon, heads full of big words, potential surgey dates (Jan 18th or 21st) after having a chest xray, ekg and a blood draw(?) which was done because he takes blood pressure medication. Why he needed the chest xray, because she said he did? I don't know, never got a clear answer, he's had a cough that started 10+ years ago when he was put on blood pressure meds. Why the blood draw? again I never got an answer, she told her nurse to put it in and us to have it done before we left yesterday and the EKG 12 leed, because of the blood pressure meds … keeping in mind his blood pressure when we were there was 118/80?? not high and well within the normal ranges, that much I do know. He wasnt running a fever and hasn't been sick in years. He has never in 27 years of marriage had any kind of surgery, been hospitalized for anything and has ony had the actual flu by diagnosis 2 times. He has regular ole arthritis like over half the population does these days. — me? I have been walking a fine line holding my proverbale shit together and having a mental nuclar meltdown since we left …
thank you guys for listening…..
Jen
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- December 28, 2018 at 6:48 pm
I am super sorry you guys are having to deal with this. I looked back at your post from the 17th and the path reports. From what little I know, I would absolutely want the SLNB & Wle in mid jan. It may seem rushed but I think there is good reason. Im.sure others will be along to chime in but that’s my thoughts. Seems like you’re doing the right thing -
- December 28, 2018 at 7:13 pm
Hi Jen,my New Years resolution is to be nicer to new folks and anon's so I thought I might get a early start and send some information your way without any sarcasm this time!!! New standard of care for staging melanoma document came out this year and compares to old standard 7th edition is first link. Second link is to aim at melanoma presentation this year explaining history and reasons for sentinel node biopsy.https://cancerstaging.org/CSE/Physician/Documents/Melanoma%202.2.18.pdf. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=q6nYe6TbDKE&list=PLOnM_erAQqIDm-UGCe50at07-BYrVmoxD&index=6&t=0s#
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- December 28, 2018 at 8:41 pm
This video link is pretty good from University of Chicago surgeon in late 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_T186r5gIE&list=PLOnM_erAQqIB9R8GB9rzsiHxmjQilsKMh&index=2
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- December 28, 2018 at 9:24 pm
Hi Jen,
I think everyone here has had the experience of seeing the doctor and having a ton of questions AFTER the visit. I'm sure it's a lot to take in and I'm sure that it all felt rushed. The important thing is communication between you guys and your medical team. Most centers have a web portal where you can ask your providers non-urgent medical questions. If not, then try to arrange a phone call to get those questions answered. The answers to those questions might not change anything but getting them will help to establish trust between you and your doctor. One of the reasons I chose to go with my current doctor is that I felt that he was someone who would patiently and respectfully answer all of my questions. This IS a big deal, and if you don't feel like you're getting the communication you need from your doctor, then you have every right to look for another doctor.
As for the WLE and SNLB, that seems to be pretty standard for stage 2. Don't feel rushed into anything, though. You don't have all the time in the world, but you do have enough time to make a decision that feels right for the both of you.
Good luck,
-Rich
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- December 28, 2018 at 9:56 pm
Vanderbilt is a great facility. They do good cancer care and you have been recommended what is the appropriate standard of care given your husband's pathology. The tests (lab and chest X-ray) are also standard of care for someone for whom the doc is recommending surgery. Anesthesia is not going to put someone to sleep without checking those things. He needs the wide excision to attain the recommended clear margins for melanoma lesions. He needs the sentinel node biopsy in order to make sure whether or not the melanoma has traveled to the node. Hopefully it has not, and that would be great as he would remain Stage 2. However, if it has he would be considered Stage 3 and therefore would have different treatment recommendations. Hope that helps. As others have said, these are the things that I certainly would have done (and have – more than once!!!) but it has to be what your husband feels is right for him. I wish you both my best. Celeste
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