Moffitt Consultation – Timing from Consult to Starting Treatment
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Moffitt Consultation – Timing from Consult to Starting Treatment

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Moffitt Consultation – Timing from Consult to Starting Treatment

  • Post
    • April 18, 2018 at 9:44 pm
    BethPendley
    Participant

      Hello – My father is recently diagnosed with Stage 3 Melanoma. Shave biopsy of primary lesion on scalp and lymph biopsy malignant – path report received April 9. As of last Friday, Apr 13 PET Scan showed no additional spread. We have consultation scheduled at Moffitt with Dr Gonzalez Thursday April 26. 

      Anyone who has been to Moffitt willing to share information regarding the time from consultation to surgery? Also, anyone have any experience with Dr Gonzalez?

      We live in Alabama and UAB was unable to consult until April 30 and didn't have opening for surgery until late May. Local oncologist presented option of local general surgeon to remove primary lesion and ENT Specialty surgeon to do neck resection if we cannot get a surgery timely.

      We are just trying to manage our expectations on what is reasonable for timing to schedule a surgery after Stage 3 melanoma consult at Moffitt. I know every case is different but would be great to hear other people's experiences. Also since we will be travelling for treatment we are trying to determine how long we should plan to be in Tampa for the consult visit.

      Thanks for any input. God Bless.

      Beth

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    • Replies
        • April 19, 2018 at 2:32 am
        Bubbles
        Participant

          I traveled to Moffitt from Chattanooga in a Phase 1 trial for Opdivo (back when it was known as MDX-1106) for Stage IV melanoma peeps from Dec 2010 – June 2013, plus a couple of more years follow-up.  It was amazing and probably saved my life.  The facility is impressive.  The nurses in the CRU (clinical research unit) are some of the best I have ever known (and I have been on both sides of that equation since 1984).  However, Dr. Weber was my doc and he has since relocated to NYU.  Still, I think it is an excellent choice for melanoma care.  Celeste

            • April 19, 2018 at 2:44 am
            BethPendley
            Participant

              Thank you so much Celeste. That is so encouraging! I really appreciate you replying to my post. I know this will be a long week waiting, but I feel very blessed that we are able to travel there for an appointment! I think I've now convinced my dad to hold off on the general surgeon removing the primary until we go for consult. 

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