› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Are there any others from BC Canada here? Let me introduce myself
- This topic has 35 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 2 months ago by
Tracey.
- Post
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- June 18, 2011 at 4:47 am
Hi all,
Hi all,
I'm from BC Canada. I'm looking for others in my area. I'm also looking for all the latest up-to-date info on Melanoma and treatments etc. My biggest concern is that I'm not getting the closest follow-up that I may need. I was diagnosed with Melanoma in March of this year. It was on my right calf. I had a flat mole there that was about 5-6 mm – not round but not too wierd looking. I noticed that I had to be more careful shaving my legs last December as the mole was more raised. Then by the end of December I was catching the razor on it. I didn't think too much about it until January, when a skin coloured "tumor" started to grow on one half of the mole. I knew I had to have it looked at but was "too busy." I finally had it looked at mid-February and my family physician removed it and 2 other fast growing moles. I didn't think anything more about it as my doc didn't seem too concerned. I got the "phone call" March 10th. It was a Nodular Melanoma Clark level IV and Breslow 2 mm Mitosis <2/mm. I had a wide excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy March 31. The surrounding tissues and lymph nodes were negative putting my staging at IIa. The other 2 moles were benign. I also had 3 Clark's nevi removed in May. My surgeon, who specializes in melanoma, wants to take more tissue from around the nevi removed from my back.
My concern is that I'm wondering if they should have been doing CT scans or anything else to make sure I didn't have anything else going on. I feel I'm a little of an oddity as my surgeon said usually older males have this type of melanoma on their scalp or shoulders from too much sun exposure. And everyone that knows me, knows that I don't go out in the sun much. Since I was pregnant with my 12 yr old daughter, I've been heat intolerant and always sit in the shade. I'm the one under the umbrella at my daughter's soccer games. And not when it's just raining either. My legs have really never tanned or even burned, but I'm fair haired (naturally that is), green eyed, have more than 50 moles (more like 50 per sq inch – lol), and burn rather than tan. I use 50 sun screen. But I also grew up in the era of no sun screen and playing outside in the sun all day when I was a child. Had plenty of very bad burns – but not on my legs. Go figure.
I would enjoy hearing from everyone and look forward to meeting more people in my position. I know I'm one of the lucky ones but also know I have a life-time of vigilence ahead of me.
Cheers,
Carolyn
- Replies
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- June 18, 2011 at 11:28 am
Hi Carolyn,
I'm from Toronto and also was diagnosed with a nodular melanoma in January of this year. If was deeper then yours and I had 1 lymph node involved. I had Petscans and CT scans because they wanted to be sure there wasn't spread anywhere else since it was in my node. Perhaps they arn't giving you a scan because since it hasn't spread, they arn't concerned. I would imagine you will be monitored closely every 3 months though.
That being said, hang in there. There are many people on this board full of knowledge and advice. There are also people on here who have been beating melanoma for years – even Stage 4!
I would ask your Dr about CT scans which you should probably be receiving every 3 months. Please be sure that you are dealing with a melanoma specialist – not a general oncologist or dermatologist. The only people who know about this disase is an expert and nobody on this board is dealing with anybody who isn't a melanoma expert.
Best of luck to you! You are very lucky and must continue to be vigilant 🙂
Lisa
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- June 18, 2011 at 11:28 am
Hi Carolyn,
I'm from Toronto and also was diagnosed with a nodular melanoma in January of this year. If was deeper then yours and I had 1 lymph node involved. I had Petscans and CT scans because they wanted to be sure there wasn't spread anywhere else since it was in my node. Perhaps they arn't giving you a scan because since it hasn't spread, they arn't concerned. I would imagine you will be monitored closely every 3 months though.
That being said, hang in there. There are many people on this board full of knowledge and advice. There are also people on here who have been beating melanoma for years – even Stage 4!
I would ask your Dr about CT scans which you should probably be receiving every 3 months. Please be sure that you are dealing with a melanoma specialist – not a general oncologist or dermatologist. The only people who know about this disase is an expert and nobody on this board is dealing with anybody who isn't a melanoma expert.
Best of luck to you! You are very lucky and must continue to be vigilant 🙂
Lisa
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- June 19, 2011 at 8:09 pm
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for your kind reply and good advice about CT scans. That was my question: shoud I be followed up with a CT scan. I thought I should at least have a baseline.
Also as far as I know we don't have a "melanoma specialist" in Kelowna. I have to keep searching.
Carolyn
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- June 19, 2011 at 8:09 pm
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for your kind reply and good advice about CT scans. That was my question: shoud I be followed up with a CT scan. I thought I should at least have a baseline.
Also as far as I know we don't have a "melanoma specialist" in Kelowna. I have to keep searching.
Carolyn
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- June 19, 2011 at 1:42 am
Hi Carolyn:
I am so glad to hear that you found treatment quickly and that they have been so proactive. My best wishes are with you and your family. It sounds like you are doing well.
I agree that you should see someone who specializes in melanoma. I don't know of any melanoma specialists in BC, but Dr. Smylie in Edmonton has been discussed on this board and seems very good. In my family's experience, it was really important to self-advocate in BC and to do what you are doing right now – reaching out to the community. I think you're doing exactly the right thing.
Karen.
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- June 19, 2011 at 1:42 am
Hi Carolyn:
I am so glad to hear that you found treatment quickly and that they have been so proactive. My best wishes are with you and your family. It sounds like you are doing well.
I agree that you should see someone who specializes in melanoma. I don't know of any melanoma specialists in BC, but Dr. Smylie in Edmonton has been discussed on this board and seems very good. In my family's experience, it was really important to self-advocate in BC and to do what you are doing right now – reaching out to the community. I think you're doing exactly the right thing.
Karen.
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- June 19, 2011 at 7:59 am
Hi Carolyn, I live on Vancouver Island – diagnosed 1B with a 1.81 mm spitz melanoma (another rare one:) upper right arm -nearly four years ago (mitotic rate was 3).
I'm glad to hear you had the sentinel lymph node biopsy along with your wide excision and that it was negative! Unfortunately melanoma care can be rather hit or miss in this province – needless to say, I'm impressed you have a surgeon who specializes in melanoma!
Being a nervous sort, (and having had pneumonia in the past) I decided I wanted a base line chest CT and asked my family doctor for a referral. She wrote melanoma 1B on the request and the radiologist approved it without question. Be prepared though, if you do go this route they may actually find something; they did with me and it gave me a couple of years of scans and a fair amount of anxiety. I have since found out that small lung nodules are quite common and are not necessarily melanoma:)
Like you, I wasn't a fan of the sun as an adult and had my share of burns as a child (along with a few as a teen when I tried to 'fit in'). I have read that females can get mel on their lower legs due to wearing little dresses as very young children, not sure if that's true or not, but it made some sense to me.
All the best, linda
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- June 19, 2011 at 8:22 am
ps.. I agree with the suggestion to follow up with an oncologist who specializes in melanoma. I went to see Dr Michael Smylie in Edmonton for a second opinion when the lung nodules were diagnosed. He really is one of the best. (Suits his name too:) Again I got a referral from my family doctor, had to pay for flight and accommodation- but BC Med took care of the rest.
If you're in the Vancouver area, I see the Save Your Skin Foundation is having a Patient Information Symposium June 25, 2011 at the Vancouver Art Gallery. It looks like a great way to learn what is going on in Canada and perhaps speak to the specialists in person.
http://www.saveyourskin.ca/?category_name=press
Save Your Skin Foundation To Host Patient Information Symposium June 25, 2011
The Patient Information Symposium will provide critical information and support to those affected by melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.
VANCOUVER, BC (June 15, 2011) – The Save Your Skin Foundation will host a Patient Information Symposium on Saturday, June 25th, 2011 at the Vancouver Art Gallery. The free Patient Information Symposium will provide critical information and resources, as well as the rare opportunity to speak with leading specialists.
Although the incidence of melanoma is rising faster than that of any other cancer, the information and resources available are still lacking. The Save Your Skin Foundation is working hard to change this. “One of our main objectives is to provide emotional and financial support to those dealing with skin cancer”, explains David Barnard, Executive Director of Save Your Skin. David Barnard’s Mother, Kathleen Barnard (Founder, Save Your Skin) is currently battling melanoma.
Several leading experts will speak at the Symposium, including Dr. Michael Smylie (Medical Oncologist, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, AB), and Dr. Sasha Smiljanic (Medical Oncologist at the Lions Gate Hospital, North Vancouver, BC). Dr. Joel Claveau, dermatologist at the Melanoma and Pigmented Lesions Clinic, CHUQ Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, in Quebec, has also been very supportive of the Save Your Skin Foundation. Claveau explains, “The Save Your Skin Foundation and events such as this [symposium] are critical to patients, and patient caregivers, who need quick access to information. The Foundation’s educational, emotional and financial assistance is a significant support to families.”
The details of the Symposium are below.
SAVE YOUR SKIN™ PATIENT INFORMATION SYMPOSIUM
- Date: Saturday, June 25th, 2011
- Venue: Vancouver Art Gallery
- Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
- Details: Free patient information symposium offering critical information and resources, plus the rare opportunity to speak with leading specialists
To register online, visit http://saveyourskinpatientsymposium.eventbrite.com/ or call Marion Pérole 604-734-4223.
About Melanoma in Canada
Every year, thousands of Canadians are diagnosed with Melanoma, with the incidence of the disease increasing faster than that of any other cancer. One in 74 men and 1 in 90 women are expected to develop melanoma during their lifetime; 1 in 284 men and 1 in 486 women will die of it. It is the most dangerous type of skin cancer, causing 75% of deaths associated with skin cancer. Currently in Canada, there is no treatment proven to extend the lives of people diagnosed with metastatic (advanced) melanoma, despite the rising incidence of the disease.
About the Save Your Skin Foundation
The Save Your Skin Foundation was created by family, friends, and colleagues of Founder Kathy Barnard, who is currently battling melanoma. Save Your Skin is a Canadian based not-for-profit Foundation. Through events and other initiatives, the Foundation focuses on raising funds for education and awareness, providing emotional and financial support to those dealing with skin cancer, and on supporting the ongoing research and treatment of skin cancer.
Funds raised go towards providing critical and timely treatments, as well as ongoing education, research, and awareness initiatives.
For additional information please visit http://www.saveyourskin.ca or contact Marion Pérole at 604-734-4223.
-30 –
For further information please contact:
Marion Pérole
Media Liaison, Karran Finlay Marketing
T: 604-734-4223 or E: [email protected]
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- June 19, 2011 at 8:12 pm
Thank you so much for this helpful information. I signed up right away. I hope to learn a lot listening to Dr. Smylie – I've been hearing so much about him lately. I couldn't believe to also hear about this even – talking about fate – just as I'm searching for answers. I just have to find someone to go with me. My husband is "too busy". I'm hoping he rethinks that. I need all the support I can get and it's good for him to hear the same info.
Cheers!!
Carolyn
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- June 22, 2011 at 12:59 am
So glad you found it useful Carolyn, I'd like to go over myself but can't get the time off work. Maybe you can let us know what you learn? And I hope you can drag that husband along with you.. some of them seem to want the issue to go away more than we do! ( Ok – that's me talking about personal experience now:)
Good luck! linda
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- June 22, 2011 at 12:59 am
So glad you found it useful Carolyn, I'd like to go over myself but can't get the time off work. Maybe you can let us know what you learn? And I hope you can drag that husband along with you.. some of them seem to want the issue to go away more than we do! ( Ok – that's me talking about personal experience now:)
Good luck! linda
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- June 19, 2011 at 8:12 pm
Thank you so much for this helpful information. I signed up right away. I hope to learn a lot listening to Dr. Smylie – I've been hearing so much about him lately. I couldn't believe to also hear about this even – talking about fate – just as I'm searching for answers. I just have to find someone to go with me. My husband is "too busy". I'm hoping he rethinks that. I need all the support I can get and it's good for him to hear the same info.
Cheers!!
Carolyn
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- June 19, 2011 at 8:22 am
ps.. I agree with the suggestion to follow up with an oncologist who specializes in melanoma. I went to see Dr Michael Smylie in Edmonton for a second opinion when the lung nodules were diagnosed. He really is one of the best. (Suits his name too:) Again I got a referral from my family doctor, had to pay for flight and accommodation- but BC Med took care of the rest.
If you're in the Vancouver area, I see the Save Your Skin Foundation is having a Patient Information Symposium June 25, 2011 at the Vancouver Art Gallery. It looks like a great way to learn what is going on in Canada and perhaps speak to the specialists in person.
http://www.saveyourskin.ca/?category_name=press
Save Your Skin Foundation To Host Patient Information Symposium June 25, 2011
The Patient Information Symposium will provide critical information and support to those affected by melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.
VANCOUVER, BC (June 15, 2011) – The Save Your Skin Foundation will host a Patient Information Symposium on Saturday, June 25th, 2011 at the Vancouver Art Gallery. The free Patient Information Symposium will provide critical information and resources, as well as the rare opportunity to speak with leading specialists.
Although the incidence of melanoma is rising faster than that of any other cancer, the information and resources available are still lacking. The Save Your Skin Foundation is working hard to change this. “One of our main objectives is to provide emotional and financial support to those dealing with skin cancer”, explains David Barnard, Executive Director of Save Your Skin. David Barnard’s Mother, Kathleen Barnard (Founder, Save Your Skin) is currently battling melanoma.
Several leading experts will speak at the Symposium, including Dr. Michael Smylie (Medical Oncologist, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, AB), and Dr. Sasha Smiljanic (Medical Oncologist at the Lions Gate Hospital, North Vancouver, BC). Dr. Joel Claveau, dermatologist at the Melanoma and Pigmented Lesions Clinic, CHUQ Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, in Quebec, has also been very supportive of the Save Your Skin Foundation. Claveau explains, “The Save Your Skin Foundation and events such as this [symposium] are critical to patients, and patient caregivers, who need quick access to information. The Foundation’s educational, emotional and financial assistance is a significant support to families.”
The details of the Symposium are below.
SAVE YOUR SKIN™ PATIENT INFORMATION SYMPOSIUM
- Date: Saturday, June 25th, 2011
- Venue: Vancouver Art Gallery
- Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
- Details: Free patient information symposium offering critical information and resources, plus the rare opportunity to speak with leading specialists
To register online, visit http://saveyourskinpatientsymposium.eventbrite.com/ or call Marion Pérole 604-734-4223.
About Melanoma in Canada
Every year, thousands of Canadians are diagnosed with Melanoma, with the incidence of the disease increasing faster than that of any other cancer. One in 74 men and 1 in 90 women are expected to develop melanoma during their lifetime; 1 in 284 men and 1 in 486 women will die of it. It is the most dangerous type of skin cancer, causing 75% of deaths associated with skin cancer. Currently in Canada, there is no treatment proven to extend the lives of people diagnosed with metastatic (advanced) melanoma, despite the rising incidence of the disease.
About the Save Your Skin Foundation
The Save Your Skin Foundation was created by family, friends, and colleagues of Founder Kathy Barnard, who is currently battling melanoma. Save Your Skin is a Canadian based not-for-profit Foundation. Through events and other initiatives, the Foundation focuses on raising funds for education and awareness, providing emotional and financial support to those dealing with skin cancer, and on supporting the ongoing research and treatment of skin cancer.
Funds raised go towards providing critical and timely treatments, as well as ongoing education, research, and awareness initiatives.
For additional information please visit http://www.saveyourskin.ca or contact Marion Pérole at 604-734-4223.
-30 –
For further information please contact:
Marion Pérole
Media Liaison, Karran Finlay Marketing
T: 604-734-4223 or E: [email protected]
-
- June 19, 2011 at 7:59 am
Hi Carolyn, I live on Vancouver Island – diagnosed 1B with a 1.81 mm spitz melanoma (another rare one:) upper right arm -nearly four years ago (mitotic rate was 3).
I'm glad to hear you had the sentinel lymph node biopsy along with your wide excision and that it was negative! Unfortunately melanoma care can be rather hit or miss in this province – needless to say, I'm impressed you have a surgeon who specializes in melanoma!
Being a nervous sort, (and having had pneumonia in the past) I decided I wanted a base line chest CT and asked my family doctor for a referral. She wrote melanoma 1B on the request and the radiologist approved it without question. Be prepared though, if you do go this route they may actually find something; they did with me and it gave me a couple of years of scans and a fair amount of anxiety. I have since found out that small lung nodules are quite common and are not necessarily melanoma:)
Like you, I wasn't a fan of the sun as an adult and had my share of burns as a child (along with a few as a teen when I tried to 'fit in'). I have read that females can get mel on their lower legs due to wearing little dresses as very young children, not sure if that's true or not, but it made some sense to me.
All the best, linda
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- October 31, 2011 at 8:12 pm
Hi Carolyn. I would really appreciate you contacting me by e.mail on [email protected]. A close relative of mine has just been diagnosed with Melanoma, and she has just moved to Kelowna from South Africa. I'm just looking for whatever support there is available, as I feel pretty helpless here in RSA, knowing that this relative does not have any support network of friends and family over there. Thankyou. JM
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- October 31, 2011 at 8:12 pm
Hi Carolyn. I would really appreciate you contacting me by e.mail on [email protected]. A close relative of mine has just been diagnosed with Melanoma, and she has just moved to Kelowna from South Africa. I'm just looking for whatever support there is available, as I feel pretty helpless here in RSA, knowing that this relative does not have any support network of friends and family over there. Thankyou. JM
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- October 31, 2011 at 8:12 pm
Hi Carolyn. I would really appreciate you contacting me by e.mail on [email protected]. A close relative of mine has just been diagnosed with Melanoma, and she has just moved to Kelowna from South Africa. I'm just looking for whatever support there is available, as I feel pretty helpless here in RSA, knowing that this relative does not have any support network of friends and family over there. Thankyou. JM
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- November 18, 2011 at 5:22 am
Hi Carolyn,
I'm sorry to hear you are having this ordeal. My husband was diagnosed with a metastatic melanoma this summer after 3 months of severe symptoms and 7 trips to ER. 15 years ago my husband had a 'bad' mole removed and the doctor was 99% sure he had removed all of it. (Guess not.) My husband tested positive for the B RAF gene mutation and is currently receiving Vemurafenib, and is responding well to it. We are in Kelowna and I would be open to meeting with you for a coffee and talk over our unfortunate common experience, if you like. I'll admit I feel weird about forums and am not sure how to proceed from here.
CT scans are so helpful but an MRI is safer and more detailed, from my understanding. I know for me, I want to know everything about my husband's condition so we can fight the strongest fight.
Wishing you a 100% recovery!
Tracey
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- November 18, 2011 at 5:22 am
Hi Carolyn,
I'm sorry to hear you are having this ordeal. My husband was diagnosed with a metastatic melanoma this summer after 3 months of severe symptoms and 7 trips to ER. 15 years ago my husband had a 'bad' mole removed and the doctor was 99% sure he had removed all of it. (Guess not.) My husband tested positive for the B RAF gene mutation and is currently receiving Vemurafenib, and is responding well to it. We are in Kelowna and I would be open to meeting with you for a coffee and talk over our unfortunate common experience, if you like. I'll admit I feel weird about forums and am not sure how to proceed from here.
CT scans are so helpful but an MRI is safer and more detailed, from my understanding. I know for me, I want to know everything about my husband's condition so we can fight the strongest fight.
Wishing you a 100% recovery!
Tracey
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- November 18, 2011 at 11:54 pm
Hi Tracey,
I'm sorry to hear about your husband.
I'm open to the idea of meeting you for coffee. Why don't you e-mail me at: [email protected] and I'll pass on my phone number or you can give me yours and we can arrange something.
I also have a facebook page called: Dodged a Bullet – Fight Against Melanoma. I have a blog called the same thing – the link is on my facebook page.
The page has a lot of useful links and information and it connects many others of us that have this common tragedy.
Thank you for the positive wishes. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
Carolyn
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- November 18, 2011 at 11:54 pm
Hi Tracey,
I'm sorry to hear about your husband.
I'm open to the idea of meeting you for coffee. Why don't you e-mail me at: [email protected] and I'll pass on my phone number or you can give me yours and we can arrange something.
I also have a facebook page called: Dodged a Bullet – Fight Against Melanoma. I have a blog called the same thing – the link is on my facebook page.
The page has a lot of useful links and information and it connects many others of us that have this common tragedy.
Thank you for the positive wishes. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
Carolyn
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- November 18, 2011 at 11:54 pm
Hi Tracey,
I'm sorry to hear about your husband.
I'm open to the idea of meeting you for coffee. Why don't you e-mail me at: [email protected] and I'll pass on my phone number or you can give me yours and we can arrange something.
I also have a facebook page called: Dodged a Bullet – Fight Against Melanoma. I have a blog called the same thing – the link is on my facebook page.
The page has a lot of useful links and information and it connects many others of us that have this common tragedy.
Thank you for the positive wishes. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
Carolyn
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- November 18, 2011 at 5:22 am
Hi Carolyn,
I'm sorry to hear you are having this ordeal. My husband was diagnosed with a metastatic melanoma this summer after 3 months of severe symptoms and 7 trips to ER. 15 years ago my husband had a 'bad' mole removed and the doctor was 99% sure he had removed all of it. (Guess not.) My husband tested positive for the B RAF gene mutation and is currently receiving Vemurafenib, and is responding well to it. We are in Kelowna and I would be open to meeting with you for a coffee and talk over our unfortunate common experience, if you like. I'll admit I feel weird about forums and am not sure how to proceed from here.
CT scans are so helpful but an MRI is safer and more detailed, from my understanding. I know for me, I want to know everything about my husband's condition so we can fight the strongest fight.
Wishing you a 100% recovery!
Tracey
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- November 19, 2011 at 5:02 am
Carolyn — I suggest you come to Seattle so I can meet you!
http://www.seattlecca.org/diseases/melanoma-doctors.cfm
As for your situation — scans are not very effective in diagnosing mets, so I wouldn't be too keen on this, especially since they are very expensive. The particulars of your melanoma boil down to breslow 2.0, the rest of "Nodular Melanoma Clark level IV and Breslow 2 mm Mitosis <2/mm" is sort of meaningless, though the low mitosis is good.
Lots of people get melanoma because of sun exposure or not. If you grew up in BC, the odds are you fall in the "not" category.
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- November 20, 2011 at 6:59 am
Hi Don,
Maybe you should come to BC. lol
I grew up in Saskatchewan. Hot summers, out all day, no sunscreen, suntanned with baby oil. That sort of thing. But I haven't been out in the sun since I was pregnant with my son 16 years ago. Can't tolerate the heat. So everyone was surprised I got melanoma. Especially on my leg. I don't think my legs have ever been darder than white. So go figure. I feel very lucky indeed.
If you'd like to talk more, contact me via e-mail: [email protected] or I have a facebook page – Dodged a Bullet – Fight Against Melanoma. There are lots of great links on there plus wonderful people who are an amazing support system. I also have a link on there to my blog.
Carolyn
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- November 20, 2011 at 6:59 am
Hi Don,
Maybe you should come to BC. lol
I grew up in Saskatchewan. Hot summers, out all day, no sunscreen, suntanned with baby oil. That sort of thing. But I haven't been out in the sun since I was pregnant with my son 16 years ago. Can't tolerate the heat. So everyone was surprised I got melanoma. Especially on my leg. I don't think my legs have ever been darder than white. So go figure. I feel very lucky indeed.
If you'd like to talk more, contact me via e-mail: [email protected] or I have a facebook page – Dodged a Bullet – Fight Against Melanoma. There are lots of great links on there plus wonderful people who are an amazing support system. I also have a link on there to my blog.
Carolyn
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- November 20, 2011 at 6:59 am
Hi Don,
Maybe you should come to BC. lol
I grew up in Saskatchewan. Hot summers, out all day, no sunscreen, suntanned with baby oil. That sort of thing. But I haven't been out in the sun since I was pregnant with my son 16 years ago. Can't tolerate the heat. So everyone was surprised I got melanoma. Especially on my leg. I don't think my legs have ever been darder than white. So go figure. I feel very lucky indeed.
If you'd like to talk more, contact me via e-mail: [email protected] or I have a facebook page – Dodged a Bullet – Fight Against Melanoma. There are lots of great links on there plus wonderful people who are an amazing support system. I also have a link on there to my blog.
Carolyn
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- November 19, 2011 at 5:02 am
Carolyn — I suggest you come to Seattle so I can meet you!
http://www.seattlecca.org/diseases/melanoma-doctors.cfm
As for your situation — scans are not very effective in diagnosing mets, so I wouldn't be too keen on this, especially since they are very expensive. The particulars of your melanoma boil down to breslow 2.0, the rest of "Nodular Melanoma Clark level IV and Breslow 2 mm Mitosis <2/mm" is sort of meaningless, though the low mitosis is good.
Lots of people get melanoma because of sun exposure or not. If you grew up in BC, the odds are you fall in the "not" category.
-
- November 19, 2011 at 5:02 am
Carolyn — I suggest you come to Seattle so I can meet you!
http://www.seattlecca.org/diseases/melanoma-doctors.cfm
As for your situation — scans are not very effective in diagnosing mets, so I wouldn't be too keen on this, especially since they are very expensive. The particulars of your melanoma boil down to breslow 2.0, the rest of "Nodular Melanoma Clark level IV and Breslow 2 mm Mitosis <2/mm" is sort of meaningless, though the low mitosis is good.
Lots of people get melanoma because of sun exposure or not. If you grew up in BC, the odds are you fall in the "not" category.
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- March 7, 2012 at 8:11 pm
Hi All,
I am very new to all this. I live in Vancouver, B.C. and am anxious to find out what the best options are for treatment. My husband was diagnosed with Stage 4 Melanoma. I am trying to find a medical oncologist who specializes in melanoma. Is there anyone like this in Vancouver or is it best to try and get a referral to Dr. Michael Smylie in Edmonton? Our family doctor is very helpful and I am sure would be willing to try this.
My husband has an appointment at the BC Cancer Agency, but I am not convinced the doctor there is really such an expert in this particular illness.
I would be grateful for your advice and expertise!
Claudia
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- March 7, 2012 at 8:11 pm
Hi All,
I am very new to all this. I live in Vancouver, B.C. and am anxious to find out what the best options are for treatment. My husband was diagnosed with Stage 4 Melanoma. I am trying to find a medical oncologist who specializes in melanoma. Is there anyone like this in Vancouver or is it best to try and get a referral to Dr. Michael Smylie in Edmonton? Our family doctor is very helpful and I am sure would be willing to try this.
My husband has an appointment at the BC Cancer Agency, but I am not convinced the doctor there is really such an expert in this particular illness.
I would be grateful for your advice and expertise!
Claudia
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- March 7, 2012 at 8:11 pm
Hi All,
I am very new to all this. I live in Vancouver, B.C. and am anxious to find out what the best options are for treatment. My husband was diagnosed with Stage 4 Melanoma. I am trying to find a medical oncologist who specializes in melanoma. Is there anyone like this in Vancouver or is it best to try and get a referral to Dr. Michael Smylie in Edmonton? Our family doctor is very helpful and I am sure would be willing to try this.
My husband has an appointment at the BC Cancer Agency, but I am not convinced the doctor there is really such an expert in this particular illness.
I would be grateful for your advice and expertise!
Claudia
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- March 8, 2012 at 5:04 am
Hi Claudia,
I know, I have been in your position. We lived in Vancouver at the time of my husband's diagnosis (stage 4 leptomeningial melanoma) and he received treatment at the BCCA. There are a few things you can do. The first and very valueable piece of advice I received was say yes to everything and research it, and go with your heart. Meet with the oncologist and see what they have to say and get that referral going in the event you are not satisfied with what they have to say. You can email me at [email protected] and I would be very happy to share my experience in Vancouver with you. Inspire Health in Vancouver is a fabulous organization with a wealth of resources and they really helped to empower us during our journey. Also, Carolyn, who is on this board has a great page on facebook with loads of good info 'Dodged a bullet' (awesome work Carolyn!).
I am very sorry you and your husband are in this situation. It's very a uncomfortable position to be in and, quite frankly, it sucks. But keep positive for it makes all the difference.
Best regards,
Tracey
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- March 8, 2012 at 5:04 am
Hi Claudia,
I know, I have been in your position. We lived in Vancouver at the time of my husband's diagnosis (stage 4 leptomeningial melanoma) and he received treatment at the BCCA. There are a few things you can do. The first and very valueable piece of advice I received was say yes to everything and research it, and go with your heart. Meet with the oncologist and see what they have to say and get that referral going in the event you are not satisfied with what they have to say. You can email me at [email protected] and I would be very happy to share my experience in Vancouver with you. Inspire Health in Vancouver is a fabulous organization with a wealth of resources and they really helped to empower us during our journey. Also, Carolyn, who is on this board has a great page on facebook with loads of good info 'Dodged a bullet' (awesome work Carolyn!).
I am very sorry you and your husband are in this situation. It's very a uncomfortable position to be in and, quite frankly, it sucks. But keep positive for it makes all the difference.
Best regards,
Tracey
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- March 8, 2012 at 5:04 am
Hi Claudia,
I know, I have been in your position. We lived in Vancouver at the time of my husband's diagnosis (stage 4 leptomeningial melanoma) and he received treatment at the BCCA. There are a few things you can do. The first and very valueable piece of advice I received was say yes to everything and research it, and go with your heart. Meet with the oncologist and see what they have to say and get that referral going in the event you are not satisfied with what they have to say. You can email me at [email protected] and I would be very happy to share my experience in Vancouver with you. Inspire Health in Vancouver is a fabulous organization with a wealth of resources and they really helped to empower us during our journey. Also, Carolyn, who is on this board has a great page on facebook with loads of good info 'Dodged a bullet' (awesome work Carolyn!).
I am very sorry you and your husband are in this situation. It's very a uncomfortable position to be in and, quite frankly, it sucks. But keep positive for it makes all the difference.
Best regards,
Tracey
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Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
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