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I need help finding a melanoma specialist in MN
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I need help finding a melanoma specialist in MN

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › I need help finding a melanoma specialist in MN

  • Post
    • December 31, 2016 at 1:56 am
    Nemesis
    Participant

      How can I find one? I am currently at T1b – still waiting on my SNB results to come back and see where I am really at. I would like to be proactive, and I think I might have located two melanoma specialists, one at Mayo and another one at the U of M, but I want to make sure I have the right people.

       

      Please, help! Thank you.

    Viewing 11 reply threads
    • Replies
        • December 31, 2016 at 4:58 am
        Toby0987
        Participant

          I've been going to mayo in Rochester since 2013. I got my lymph nodes hacked out by dr Jacobsen and my melanoma onc is dr Mcwilliams -I'm 3b. I've been cancer free since then (they found thyroid cancer on a Pet). Dr Mcwilliams shot me straight on interferon and I respect him for that. He said he wouldn't do it and that I would be sick for a year and it may add a year to my life tops statistically speaking. I looked at going to Sioux Falls sd so I wouldn't have to drive 5 hrs for a PeT but dr Mcwilliams explained they don't accept their pets and the secret was to get a good radiologist in order to cut through the static of false positives on PETs. Not sure on the U of M but had a friend with brain cancer that did her treatment plan at mayo and u of m carried it out. Dr Mcwilliams didn't hold my hand looking at clinical trials -just gave me a stack of papers about the trials and dropped the mic and walked off stage. My local cancer center said he is the number 2 guy at mayo

          • December 31, 2016 at 4:58 am
          Toby0987
          Participant

            I've been going to mayo in Rochester since 2013. I got my lymph nodes hacked out by dr Jacobsen and my melanoma onc is dr Mcwilliams -I'm 3b. I've been cancer free since then (they found thyroid cancer on a Pet). Dr Mcwilliams shot me straight on interferon and I respect him for that. He said he wouldn't do it and that I would be sick for a year and it may add a year to my life tops statistically speaking. I looked at going to Sioux Falls sd so I wouldn't have to drive 5 hrs for a PeT but dr Mcwilliams explained they don't accept their pets and the secret was to get a good radiologist in order to cut through the static of false positives on PETs. Not sure on the U of M but had a friend with brain cancer that did her treatment plan at mayo and u of m carried it out. Dr Mcwilliams didn't hold my hand looking at clinical trials -just gave me a stack of papers about the trials and dropped the mic and walked off stage. My local cancer center said he is the number 2 guy at mayo

              • December 31, 2016 at 1:44 pm
              jpg
              Participant

                Mayo Clinic, Dr. Markovic is tops..

                • December 31, 2016 at 1:44 pm
                jpg
                Participant

                  Mayo Clinic, Dr. Markovic is tops..

                  • December 31, 2016 at 1:44 pm
                  jpg
                  Participant

                    Mayo Clinic, Dr. Markovic is tops..

                    • December 31, 2016 at 9:12 pm
                    Nemesis
                    Participant

                      Thank you. I am in Minneapolis, so relatively close.

                       

                      How would I go about contacting him? Just make an appointment with his office?

                      • December 31, 2016 at 11:54 pm
                      Janner
                      Participant

                        You might wait until you get the results of your SNB.  In general, the top melanoma oncologists don't usually see stage 1B patients – they have nothing to offer them.  If your sentinel node comes back positive, I would definitely put in that call!

                        • January 1, 2017 at 2:35 am
                        Nemesis
                        Participant

                          Hopefully that call won't be necessary. Thank you, and Happy New Year to everyone!

                          • January 1, 2017 at 2:35 am
                          Nemesis
                          Participant

                            Hopefully that call won't be necessary. Thank you, and Happy New Year to everyone!

                            • January 1, 2017 at 2:35 am
                            Nemesis
                            Participant

                              Hopefully that call won't be necessary. Thank you, and Happy New Year to everyone!

                              • December 31, 2016 at 11:54 pm
                              Janner
                              Participant

                                You might wait until you get the results of your SNB.  In general, the top melanoma oncologists don't usually see stage 1B patients – they have nothing to offer them.  If your sentinel node comes back positive, I would definitely put in that call!

                                • December 31, 2016 at 11:54 pm
                                Janner
                                Participant

                                  You might wait until you get the results of your SNB.  In general, the top melanoma oncologists don't usually see stage 1B patients – they have nothing to offer them.  If your sentinel node comes back positive, I would definitely put in that call!

                                  • December 31, 2016 at 9:12 pm
                                  Nemesis
                                  Participant

                                    Thank you. I am in Minneapolis, so relatively close.

                                     

                                    How would I go about contacting him? Just make an appointment with his office?

                                    • December 31, 2016 at 9:12 pm
                                    Nemesis
                                    Participant

                                      Thank you. I am in Minneapolis, so relatively close.

                                       

                                      How would I go about contacting him? Just make an appointment with his office?

                                    • December 31, 2016 at 4:58 am
                                    Toby0987
                                    Participant

                                      I've been going to mayo in Rochester since 2013. I got my lymph nodes hacked out by dr Jacobsen and my melanoma onc is dr Mcwilliams -I'm 3b. I've been cancer free since then (they found thyroid cancer on a Pet). Dr Mcwilliams shot me straight on interferon and I respect him for that. He said he wouldn't do it and that I would be sick for a year and it may add a year to my life tops statistically speaking. I looked at going to Sioux Falls sd so I wouldn't have to drive 5 hrs for a PeT but dr Mcwilliams explained they don't accept their pets and the secret was to get a good radiologist in order to cut through the static of false positives on PETs. Not sure on the U of M but had a friend with brain cancer that did her treatment plan at mayo and u of m carried it out. Dr Mcwilliams didn't hold my hand looking at clinical trials -just gave me a stack of papers about the trials and dropped the mic and walked off stage. My local cancer center said he is the number 2 guy at mayo

                                      • January 2, 2017 at 3:32 am
                                      Jennab0525
                                      Participant

                                        Hello!

                                        I'm in MN as well and I see Dr. King at MN Oncology. His office is at Unity Hospital in Fridley. He is amazing! I'm stage 3b and currently on watch and wait. Scans and skin checks every 4 months. I am currently 1 year NED (pending my next CT on Jan 13th which I'm praying will be clear as well).

                                        Dr King has 20 plus years in Melanoma. He is by far the most compassionate and knowledgeable doctor I've ever met. Even gives all his patients his personal cell number in case you ever need him!

                                        I agree with Janner to wait until you are staged after your SNB and WLE to schedule with an oncologist.

                                        Jenna

                                        • January 2, 2017 at 3:32 am
                                        Jennab0525
                                        Participant

                                          Hello!

                                          I'm in MN as well and I see Dr. King at MN Oncology. His office is at Unity Hospital in Fridley. He is amazing! I'm stage 3b and currently on watch and wait. Scans and skin checks every 4 months. I am currently 1 year NED (pending my next CT on Jan 13th which I'm praying will be clear as well).

                                          Dr King has 20 plus years in Melanoma. He is by far the most compassionate and knowledgeable doctor I've ever met. Even gives all his patients his personal cell number in case you ever need him!

                                          I agree with Janner to wait until you are staged after your SNB and WLE to schedule with an oncologist.

                                          Jenna

                                            • January 6, 2017 at 3:08 am
                                            Nemesis
                                            Participant

                                              Thank you. I am in Coon Rapids, so really close. My SNB came back negative, no need for dr. King, just a therapist to deal with my anxiety. Good luck with your scan, fingers crossed for good news.

                                              • January 6, 2017 at 3:08 am
                                              Nemesis
                                              Participant

                                                Thank you. I am in Coon Rapids, so really close. My SNB came back negative, no need for dr. King, just a therapist to deal with my anxiety. Good luck with your scan, fingers crossed for good news.

                                                • January 6, 2017 at 3:08 am
                                                Nemesis
                                                Participant

                                                  Thank you. I am in Coon Rapids, so really close. My SNB came back negative, no need for dr. King, just a therapist to deal with my anxiety. Good luck with your scan, fingers crossed for good news.

                                                • January 2, 2017 at 3:32 am
                                                Jennab0525
                                                Participant

                                                  Hello!

                                                  I'm in MN as well and I see Dr. King at MN Oncology. His office is at Unity Hospital in Fridley. He is amazing! I'm stage 3b and currently on watch and wait. Scans and skin checks every 4 months. I am currently 1 year NED (pending my next CT on Jan 13th which I'm praying will be clear as well).

                                                  Dr King has 20 plus years in Melanoma. He is by far the most compassionate and knowledgeable doctor I've ever met. Even gives all his patients his personal cell number in case you ever need him!

                                                  I agree with Janner to wait until you are staged after your SNB and WLE to schedule with an oncologist.

                                                  Jenna

                                                  • January 3, 2017 at 2:20 pm
                                                  marta010
                                                  Participant

                                                    Hi – we are also in MN.  My husband is Stage IV and treata at U of M with Dr. Shernan Holtan and also consults regularly with Dr. McWilliams/Dr. Markovic at Mayo.  Dr. Holtan did her fellowship at Mayo with the Melanoma team and is very well connected with them.  Good luck.

                                                    • January 3, 2017 at 2:20 pm
                                                    marta010
                                                    Participant

                                                      Hi – we are also in MN.  My husband is Stage IV and treata at U of M with Dr. Shernan Holtan and also consults regularly with Dr. McWilliams/Dr. Markovic at Mayo.  Dr. Holtan did her fellowship at Mayo with the Melanoma team and is very well connected with them.  Good luck.

                                                      • January 3, 2017 at 2:20 pm
                                                      marta010
                                                      Participant

                                                        Hi – we are also in MN.  My husband is Stage IV and treata at U of M with Dr. Shernan Holtan and also consults regularly with Dr. McWilliams/Dr. Markovic at Mayo.  Dr. Holtan did her fellowship at Mayo with the Melanoma team and is very well connected with them.  Good luck.

                                                        • January 3, 2017 at 4:18 pm
                                                        Bradley75
                                                        Participant

                                                          I have been going to Mayo since my first recurrence back in May of 2015.  The cancer has come back a couple of times since then and I am now inoperable stage 4.  Mayo is quick to act and has a whole team of melanoma doctors that review your case.  I have seen McWilliams a few times as well as others on the care team.  I like Mayo because I have my PET scan at 8am and we are going over the results at 2pm the same day.  You can speed through appointments, MRI's, radiation, etc because they are all done at the same place. 

                                                          However, there are many great cancer treatment places all over this country.  I am not saying Mayo is the absolute best.  What I am saying is I go there because I am confident that I am getting the best care possible.  I think that is the most important part for all patients battling this beast. 

                                                          Sorry that you have to deal with this in the first place.

                                                          Brad

                                                            • January 6, 2017 at 3:06 am
                                                            Nemesis
                                                            Participant

                                                              Thank you. My SNB came back negative, so in theory I should be clear, or as clear as possible with melanoma. I am lucky to be within driving distance of Mayo, but I guess even luckier that I don't need to make that drive (yet, I have a feeling it will be back). Good luck with your treatment.

                                                              • January 6, 2017 at 3:06 am
                                                              Nemesis
                                                              Participant

                                                                Thank you. My SNB came back negative, so in theory I should be clear, or as clear as possible with melanoma. I am lucky to be within driving distance of Mayo, but I guess even luckier that I don't need to make that drive (yet, I have a feeling it will be back). Good luck with your treatment.

                                                                • January 6, 2017 at 3:06 am
                                                                Nemesis
                                                                Participant

                                                                  Thank you. My SNB came back negative, so in theory I should be clear, or as clear as possible with melanoma. I am lucky to be within driving distance of Mayo, but I guess even luckier that I don't need to make that drive (yet, I have a feeling it will be back). Good luck with your treatment.

                                                                • January 3, 2017 at 4:18 pm
                                                                Bradley75
                                                                Participant

                                                                  I have been going to Mayo since my first recurrence back in May of 2015.  The cancer has come back a couple of times since then and I am now inoperable stage 4.  Mayo is quick to act and has a whole team of melanoma doctors that review your case.  I have seen McWilliams a few times as well as others on the care team.  I like Mayo because I have my PET scan at 8am and we are going over the results at 2pm the same day.  You can speed through appointments, MRI's, radiation, etc because they are all done at the same place. 

                                                                  However, there are many great cancer treatment places all over this country.  I am not saying Mayo is the absolute best.  What I am saying is I go there because I am confident that I am getting the best care possible.  I think that is the most important part for all patients battling this beast. 

                                                                  Sorry that you have to deal with this in the first place.

                                                                  Brad

                                                                  • January 3, 2017 at 4:18 pm
                                                                  Bradley75
                                                                  Participant

                                                                    I have been going to Mayo since my first recurrence back in May of 2015.  The cancer has come back a couple of times since then and I am now inoperable stage 4.  Mayo is quick to act and has a whole team of melanoma doctors that review your case.  I have seen McWilliams a few times as well as others on the care team.  I like Mayo because I have my PET scan at 8am and we are going over the results at 2pm the same day.  You can speed through appointments, MRI's, radiation, etc because they are all done at the same place. 

                                                                    However, there are many great cancer treatment places all over this country.  I am not saying Mayo is the absolute best.  What I am saying is I go there because I am confident that I am getting the best care possible.  I think that is the most important part for all patients battling this beast. 

                                                                    Sorry that you have to deal with this in the first place.

                                                                    Brad

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