Al In Kansas

Hey Rich,

Everything went well.  I liked Dr Lewis.  He was straight forward, didn't beat around the bush and I like that.  Said the WLE was a given but discussed the lymph node biopsy with some of the other Dr's.  They all decided that since one edge of the mole has somewhat ulcerated and since it was a fast growing type they should do it.  So I'm scheduled for surgery the 20th of July.  Dr. Nicole Kounalaksi will do the WLE and biopsy.  She is young but my wife and I both liked her.  She was able to get my pre-op exam done while we were out there so there was no question about me being ok for surgery.  So it is onward and forward then wait for the biopsy report.  I'm optimistic but whatever the results are I'm confident Dr. Lewis will handle it well.

I did remember to give him your regards but failed to tell him he owed you a finders fee.  🙂

Thanks for your concern,

Alan

Hey Rich,

Everything went well.  I liked Dr Lewis.  He was straight forward, didn't beat around the bush and I like that.  Said the WLE was a given but discussed the lymph node biopsy with some of the other Dr's.  They all decided that since one edge of the mole has somewhat ulcerated and since it was a fast growing type they should do it.  So I'm scheduled for surgery the 20th of July.  Dr. Nicole Kounalaksi will do the WLE and biopsy.  She is young but my wife and I both liked her.  She was able to get my pre-op exam done while we were out there so there was no question about me being ok for surgery.  So it is onward and forward then wait for the biopsy report.  I'm optimistic but whatever the results are I'm confident Dr. Lewis will handle it well.

I did remember to give him your regards but failed to tell him he owed you a finders fee.  🙂

Thanks for your concern,

Alan

Rich,

Dang, you are fast.  🙂  Cool, I feel better already.  Just made it to your blog & found out where you live.  We just passed by Monument a few days before I got the lab report back.  My wife & I have a Bed & Breakfast in Scott City.  We have 4 ladies from Colorado Springs that have been staying with us for 10 years when they come to the whimmydiddle.   http://www.whimmydiddle.org/   They have been wanting us to come visit them.  My wife is being treated at National Jewish Hospital so we went & had dinner with them the last trip.  And I will be sure & give Dr. Lewis your regards & also tell him he owes you a finders fee.

Alan

Rich,

Dang, you are fast.  🙂  Cool, I feel better already.  Just made it to your blog & found out where you live.  We just passed by Monument a few days before I got the lab report back.  My wife & I have a Bed & Breakfast in Scott City.  We have 4 ladies from Colorado Springs that have been staying with us for 10 years when they come to the whimmydiddle.   http://www.whimmydiddle.org/   They have been wanting us to come visit them.  My wife is being treated at National Jewish Hospital so we went & had dinner with them the last trip.  And I will be sure & give Dr. Lewis your regards & also tell him he owes you a finders fee.

Alan

Jenner,

Good info & I appreciate it.  Even though my PCP said she excised an area over I CM (required 8 stitches for what that is worth) I was nervous, especially about the depth.  The delima I face where I live is that the closest dermatologist is 120 mi and Denver is 280 mi.  So I have decided to drive the extra distance to see a melanoma specialist, question him about a WLE etc. and see what he has to say.  Then make my decisions from what he advises.

I will keep you posted.

Thanks again,

Alan

Jenner,

Good info & I appreciate it.  Even though my PCP said she excised an area over I CM (required 8 stitches for what that is worth) I was nervous, especially about the depth.  The delima I face where I live is that the closest dermatologist is 120 mi and Denver is 280 mi.  So I have decided to drive the extra distance to see a melanoma specialist, question him about a WLE etc. and see what he has to say.  Then make my decisions from what he advises.

I will keep you posted.

Thanks again,

Alan

Rich,

I have an appointment with Dr Lewis July 6th.  Will wait and see what he has to say.  If my memory does not fail me I will tell him I have been communicating with you.  You guys are great!!!

Thanks,

Alan

Rich,

I have an appointment with Dr Lewis July 6th.  Will wait and see what he has to say.  If my memory does not fail me I will tell him I have been communicating with you.  You guys are great!!!

Thanks,

Alan

Rich,

I have an appointment with Dr Lewis July 6th.  Will wait and see what he has to say.  If my memory does not fail me I will tell him I have been communicating with you.  You guys are great!!!

Thanks,

Alan

Rich,

I have an appointment with Dr Lewis July 6th.  Will wait and see what he has to say.  If my memory does not fail me I will tell him I have been communicating with you.  You guys are great!!!

Thanks,

Alan

Rick,

Just getting back to you.  Been busy trying to get appointment etc set up.  Thanks for the info.  I have found both Doctor's you mentioned at the University of Colorado Hospital website.  Yesterday I had done a search there for a Melanoma Specialist but came up with nothing but didn't take time to search further.  Shame on me.  I have ask my local Dr to have the pathology slides sent to them for a second opinion but don't know yet if that is going to happen.  So far this morning have only been able to talk to office people.  A person from my Dr's office just called while writting this.  She said the Dr. said I didn't need to see the Dermatologist because the excision she had done was large enough due to the fact that the pathology report had said the edges were clear.  Dr. did say she may want me to see a Melanoma Specialist (that if I wanted to see a specialist she would rather I see a Melanoma Specialist than a Dermatologist) but like me they were not finding a Melanoma Specialist at the University of Colorado (Dr wanted to see his credentials before seeing about appointment) so thanks to you I was able to help them find Dr. Karl Lewis & Dr. Rene Gonzalez.  You and the people on here are the greatest.

FOOTNOTE:  My middle daughter is head of x-ray department at our local hospital.  She just called and said she had ran into my Dr. in the hall & that the Dr. was trying to decide whether to send me to Dr. Lewis or Dr. Gonzalez.

Alan

Rick,

Just getting back to you.  Been busy trying to get appointment etc set up.  Thanks for the info.  I have found both Doctor's you mentioned at the University of Colorado Hospital website.  Yesterday I had done a search there for a Melanoma Specialist but came up with nothing but didn't take time to search further.  Shame on me.  I have ask my local Dr to have the pathology slides sent to them for a second opinion but don't know yet if that is going to happen.  So far this morning have only been able to talk to office people.  A person from my Dr's office just called while writting this.  She said the Dr. said I didn't need to see the Dermatologist because the excision she had done was large enough due to the fact that the pathology report had said the edges were clear.  Dr. did say she may want me to see a Melanoma Specialist (that if I wanted to see a specialist she would rather I see a Melanoma Specialist than a Dermatologist) but like me they were not finding a Melanoma Specialist at the University of Colorado (Dr wanted to see his credentials before seeing about appointment) so thanks to you I was able to help them find Dr. Karl Lewis & Dr. Rene Gonzalez.  You and the people on here are the greatest.

FOOTNOTE:  My middle daughter is head of x-ray department at our local hospital.  She just called and said she had ran into my Dr. in the hall & that the Dr. was trying to decide whether to send me to Dr. Lewis or Dr. Gonzalez.

Alan

This reply is to thank everyone for the information.  Especially Rick for getting me straight on The University of Colorado Cancer Center and Janner for suggesting I have the pathology slides sent to a melanoma center to have them re-read by a place that sees lots of melanoma.  I will be asking my local Dr. to get them sent to the University of Colorado for a second opinion.

Yesterday I called my kids to let them know & found out my oldest daughter has a friend from High School that is a Dermatologist in Kansas City and had her phone number.  I called her and she said I needed the WLE (wide local excision) and then follow-ups every 3 months to a year and suggested a Dermatologist she knows and has confidence in from Hays, Kansas which is only 120 miles.

Unbelievable!  You people are right on and so helpful.  God Bless & may everyone get nothing but good reports!

Alan

This reply is to thank everyone for the information.  Especially Rick for getting me straight on The University of Colorado Cancer Center and Janner for suggesting I have the pathology slides sent to a melanoma center to have them re-read by a place that sees lots of melanoma.  I will be asking my local Dr. to get them sent to the University of Colorado for a second opinion.

Yesterday I called my kids to let them know & found out my oldest daughter has a friend from High School that is a Dermatologist in Kansas City and had her phone number.  I called her and she said I needed the WLE (wide local excision) and then follow-ups every 3 months to a year and suggested a Dermatologist she knows and has confidence in from Hays, Kansas which is only 120 miles.

Unbelievable!  You people are right on and so helpful.  God Bless & may everyone get nothing but good reports!

Alan