› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Scared out of my mind in Noblesville
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lrkg1234.
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- September 16, 2012 at 6:37 pm
Hi I am new here. Any information you can give me would be so greatly appeciated. On Monday last week I was told I have malignant melanoma. Breslow dept .25mm, Clark level 3. Ulceration not identified and the volume of the dermal tumor was insufficient for mitotic index. After panicing for three days thinking that the clarks level was the same as the stage, I came across a post on here that explained it is not. That made me sleep a little better. Originally when my dermatologist gave me the news he wanted to send me to a plastic surgeon to have a la
Hi I am new here. Any information you can give me would be so greatly appeciated. On Monday last week I was told I have malignant melanoma. Breslow dept .25mm, Clark level 3. Ulceration not identified and the volume of the dermal tumor was insufficient for mitotic index. After panicing for three days thinking that the clarks level was the same as the stage, I came across a post on here that explained it is not. That made me sleep a little better. Originally when my dermatologist gave me the news he wanted to send me to a plastic surgeon to have a larger area removed. The spot is located on my right shoulder blade. The plastic surgeon could not get me in until the 24th, after showing up in the dermatologist office crying my eyes out he agreed to do the surgery himself this past Thursday. I am currently typing with a railroad track of stitches down my shoulder:) The original dermatopathology report was sent to my family doctor who has insisited that I see an oncologist. I will see the oncologist tomorrow at 8:15. I do not have the last results from Thursdays surgery back and probably will not until sometime next week. I have a million questions and if someone could please shed some light on the darkness I feel right now I would be so appreciative. The dermatologist seems to think this was found very early. He says that the next test should come back all margins clear and I will just need follow up appointments to monitor for any new spots that might appear. He thought originally that the family doctor would probably send me for a blood test and a chest x-ray. I smoked when I was a teenager and thought it was cool. I think the most I got to was a pack a week for several years. I am now of course convinced that this means the melanoma has spread to my lungs. I was not a sun worshipper. I tried laying out for a tan and attempted the tanning bed a few times but it never worked in my favor so I gave up. I have never been a huge fan of the sun because I burn. I am an only child but come from a large Irish family and am the first to be diagnosed with this. I have three children and currently am still nursing my nineteen month old daughter. Does anyone know of a doctor that specializes in melanoma in Indiana or Kentucky? I want to make sure I cover all angles in order to see my nineteen month old daughter grow up and go to college, get married, ect. Has anyone has a breslow thickness as small as mine and still had to have lymph nodes removed? Have they come back positive? Has anyone heard of Dr. Stephen Schultz in Indianapolis, IN? He is an oncologist with Community North Hospital but he does not have a website so I can not figure out how familiar he is with melanoma. What state would I need to look in to find the best doctors? Thank you for any help at all!
Beth Thompson
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- September 16, 2012 at 7:58 pm
Dear Beth,
I am so sorry for all this upsetting news! I will not speak too much abt the technical aspects of your diagnosis, since I know there are others on here far more capable of doing so.
I do live in SW Indiana, though, and have had my surgeries and follow up melanoma appts at IU Med in Indy. There are 2 melanoma specialists there. I have seen them both. My personal preference would be Dr Ted Logan…he is absolutely brilliant and I would readily recommend him. His personality is not warm and bubbly, but we have always fel he was compassionate- and honest, and very capable.
When I have a recurrence, or need of an opinion from a specialist that is where I go. My regular oncologist is in Evansville, and I see him for my routine visits and care ( we have seen him for the past 10 yrs and love him). If you are wanting to travel out of sate, I know there are many on here who could offer great and knowledgable recommendations. Everyone seems to agree that a melanoma specialist is someone you want to be sure to have on your care team.
As for the chest xray… that is a very standard thing they do and means nothing as far as them suspecting it has gone further. It is just routine. Others on here can tell you more abt whether a lymph node biopsy would be warranted, but tha may be something to ask about.
If you have need of a plastic surgeon who also specializes in melanoma, Dr Coleman at IU Med/Simon Cancer center is tops. He has done 3 of my surgeries, and I cannot offer a high enough commendation for him.
I know this is all so very upsetting and it feels as if your world has flipped upside down. Take these next steps a day at a time. Seek advise ( as you are) and be sure to get all your questions addressed wherever you decide to go. One thing I have learned is that one must be involved in this process, as it is not an exact science, and making informed decisions counts on knowing what questions to ask. Make a list of the questions youwant to ask when seen, and do not be timid about asking for an appt with a specialist.
My best to you, fellow Hoosier, and let me know if I can be of any help at all.
Tina
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- September 24, 2012 at 8:03 pm
Tina,
Thank you so much. I have an appointment with Dr. Loder's office on Oct. 5th.:)
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- September 24, 2012 at 8:03 pm
Tina,
Thank you so much. I have an appointment with Dr. Loder's office on Oct. 5th.:)
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- September 24, 2012 at 8:03 pm
Tina,
Thank you so much. I have an appointment with Dr. Loder's office on Oct. 5th.:)
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- September 16, 2012 at 7:58 pm
Dear Beth,
I am so sorry for all this upsetting news! I will not speak too much abt the technical aspects of your diagnosis, since I know there are others on here far more capable of doing so.
I do live in SW Indiana, though, and have had my surgeries and follow up melanoma appts at IU Med in Indy. There are 2 melanoma specialists there. I have seen them both. My personal preference would be Dr Ted Logan…he is absolutely brilliant and I would readily recommend him. His personality is not warm and bubbly, but we have always fel he was compassionate- and honest, and very capable.
When I have a recurrence, or need of an opinion from a specialist that is where I go. My regular oncologist is in Evansville, and I see him for my routine visits and care ( we have seen him for the past 10 yrs and love him). If you are wanting to travel out of sate, I know there are many on here who could offer great and knowledgable recommendations. Everyone seems to agree that a melanoma specialist is someone you want to be sure to have on your care team.
As for the chest xray… that is a very standard thing they do and means nothing as far as them suspecting it has gone further. It is just routine. Others on here can tell you more abt whether a lymph node biopsy would be warranted, but tha may be something to ask about.
If you have need of a plastic surgeon who also specializes in melanoma, Dr Coleman at IU Med/Simon Cancer center is tops. He has done 3 of my surgeries, and I cannot offer a high enough commendation for him.
I know this is all so very upsetting and it feels as if your world has flipped upside down. Take these next steps a day at a time. Seek advise ( as you are) and be sure to get all your questions addressed wherever you decide to go. One thing I have learned is that one must be involved in this process, as it is not an exact science, and making informed decisions counts on knowing what questions to ask. Make a list of the questions youwant to ask when seen, and do not be timid about asking for an appt with a specialist.
My best to you, fellow Hoosier, and let me know if I can be of any help at all.
Tina
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- September 16, 2012 at 7:58 pm
Dear Beth,
I am so sorry for all this upsetting news! I will not speak too much abt the technical aspects of your diagnosis, since I know there are others on here far more capable of doing so.
I do live in SW Indiana, though, and have had my surgeries and follow up melanoma appts at IU Med in Indy. There are 2 melanoma specialists there. I have seen them both. My personal preference would be Dr Ted Logan…he is absolutely brilliant and I would readily recommend him. His personality is not warm and bubbly, but we have always fel he was compassionate- and honest, and very capable.
When I have a recurrence, or need of an opinion from a specialist that is where I go. My regular oncologist is in Evansville, and I see him for my routine visits and care ( we have seen him for the past 10 yrs and love him). If you are wanting to travel out of sate, I know there are many on here who could offer great and knowledgable recommendations. Everyone seems to agree that a melanoma specialist is someone you want to be sure to have on your care team.
As for the chest xray… that is a very standard thing they do and means nothing as far as them suspecting it has gone further. It is just routine. Others on here can tell you more abt whether a lymph node biopsy would be warranted, but tha may be something to ask about.
If you have need of a plastic surgeon who also specializes in melanoma, Dr Coleman at IU Med/Simon Cancer center is tops. He has done 3 of my surgeries, and I cannot offer a high enough commendation for him.
I know this is all so very upsetting and it feels as if your world has flipped upside down. Take these next steps a day at a time. Seek advise ( as you are) and be sure to get all your questions addressed wherever you decide to go. One thing I have learned is that one must be involved in this process, as it is not an exact science, and making informed decisions counts on knowing what questions to ask. Make a list of the questions youwant to ask when seen, and do not be timid about asking for an appt with a specialist.
My best to you, fellow Hoosier, and let me know if I can be of any help at all.
Tina
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- September 17, 2012 at 5:28 pm
This is a scary diagnosis, and we've all been where you are now. My prayers are with you…..Now I don't think there is any connection between melanoma spread to lungs and smoking. I never smoked and have it in my lung. Generally they will have you follow up with onc and derm regularly for several years.That doesn't mean they found something worse. Don't panic. Take it a day at a time. Let us know what you find out1
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- September 17, 2012 at 5:28 pm
This is a scary diagnosis, and we've all been where you are now. My prayers are with you…..Now I don't think there is any connection between melanoma spread to lungs and smoking. I never smoked and have it in my lung. Generally they will have you follow up with onc and derm regularly for several years.That doesn't mean they found something worse. Don't panic. Take it a day at a time. Let us know what you find out1
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- September 17, 2012 at 5:28 pm
This is a scary diagnosis, and we've all been where you are now. My prayers are with you…..Now I don't think there is any connection between melanoma spread to lungs and smoking. I never smoked and have it in my lung. Generally they will have you follow up with onc and derm regularly for several years.That doesn't mean they found something worse. Don't panic. Take it a day at a time. Let us know what you find out1
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- September 18, 2012 at 12:32 am
Hi Beth,
I live in Indianapolis too. I went to HSE high school so I know your neck of the woods well.
My husband Scott was just diagnosed stage IV about a month ago.
We did not know what to do and went to Boston Dana Farber and Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. We were referred to an excellent melanoma specialist at IU health downtown indy. She was the understudy for the doctor that we met at Johns Hopkins. I have lots of faith in her and can tell she knows her stuff. We had previously met with a community north oncologist who was a good oncologist, just not a melanoma specialist. It makes a big difference.
The doctor's name at IU is Leslie Fecher. She is a melanoma specialist and is very up to date on the latest research. Scott just started a clinical trial there for the drug Dasatinib/Sprycel. He has only been on the meds for a few days now, so we pray it works.
Hopefully your doctor got it all and you don't have to worry about anything. Try not to freak. I know it's nearly impossible, but sleep and pray.
Good luck and let me know how it goes. You are in the right place to learn at this board. Very helpful people.
Thanks, Lisa
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- September 24, 2012 at 8:05 pm
Lisa,
My I just scheduled an appointment with the IU Melanoma Center. It is with Dr. Fecher:) on October 5th.
Thank you,
Beth
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- September 24, 2012 at 8:05 pm
Lisa,
My I just scheduled an appointment with the IU Melanoma Center. It is with Dr. Fecher:) on October 5th.
Thank you,
Beth
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- September 24, 2012 at 8:05 pm
Lisa,
My I just scheduled an appointment with the IU Melanoma Center. It is with Dr. Fecher:) on October 5th.
Thank you,
Beth
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- September 18, 2012 at 12:32 am
Hi Beth,
I live in Indianapolis too. I went to HSE high school so I know your neck of the woods well.
My husband Scott was just diagnosed stage IV about a month ago.
We did not know what to do and went to Boston Dana Farber and Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. We were referred to an excellent melanoma specialist at IU health downtown indy. She was the understudy for the doctor that we met at Johns Hopkins. I have lots of faith in her and can tell she knows her stuff. We had previously met with a community north oncologist who was a good oncologist, just not a melanoma specialist. It makes a big difference.
The doctor's name at IU is Leslie Fecher. She is a melanoma specialist and is very up to date on the latest research. Scott just started a clinical trial there for the drug Dasatinib/Sprycel. He has only been on the meds for a few days now, so we pray it works.
Hopefully your doctor got it all and you don't have to worry about anything. Try not to freak. I know it's nearly impossible, but sleep and pray.
Good luck and let me know how it goes. You are in the right place to learn at this board. Very helpful people.
Thanks, Lisa
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- September 18, 2012 at 12:32 am
Hi Beth,
I live in Indianapolis too. I went to HSE high school so I know your neck of the woods well.
My husband Scott was just diagnosed stage IV about a month ago.
We did not know what to do and went to Boston Dana Farber and Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. We were referred to an excellent melanoma specialist at IU health downtown indy. She was the understudy for the doctor that we met at Johns Hopkins. I have lots of faith in her and can tell she knows her stuff. We had previously met with a community north oncologist who was a good oncologist, just not a melanoma specialist. It makes a big difference.
The doctor's name at IU is Leslie Fecher. She is a melanoma specialist and is very up to date on the latest research. Scott just started a clinical trial there for the drug Dasatinib/Sprycel. He has only been on the meds for a few days now, so we pray it works.
Hopefully your doctor got it all and you don't have to worry about anything. Try not to freak. I know it's nearly impossible, but sleep and pray.
Good luck and let me know how it goes. You are in the right place to learn at this board. Very helpful people.
Thanks, Lisa
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