Mitotic Rate of 20

Forums General Melanoma Community Mitotic Rate of 20

  • Post
    RoxAnn
    Participant

      I was diagnosed in 1997 with Melanoma, had surgery, had a year of Interferon, horrible stuff as some of you may know. It is now 2015, Melanoma is back again, same leg (on back of right calf), just this time on the front. I had SNB, then had 8 more nodes taken out, oh how painful this is. I am a Veteran, being seen at the James A Haley Hospital in Tampa,Fl.  I spoke to an Oncologist there who has "Interests" in Melanoma, who is from  Moffit Cancer.  First of all, she seems to be "not in a hurry" with me. I recently found out my Mitotic Rate was 20 and found out that is NOT GOOD, I am scared to death. I only saw her for about 5 minutes and she said she has 90 days in which to start some type of treatment, WHAT?!?  I had surgery on the 17th of March and went home the 23rd. Sure I am still in pain, and she told me a while ago, that no matter what I am diagnosed, wait, she said I was diagnosed 3 something, and would let me know if it was a, b, or c after my last surgery, but no matter, my only option of treatment was Interferon again, even if it was a, b, or c. I feel I am being slighted somehow. When I had Melanoma in 1997, I was treated right away. First of all, here is a bit of history. I had my first biopsy way back on the 9th of january, yup, I said january. 2 weeks later, I had another wider biopsy. The BIG surgery was March 17th. Seems to be long drawn out. Is it just me thinking this? Help.

       

      RoxAnn

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    • Replies
        arthurjedi007
        Participant

          Seems very long and drawn out to me. Also if by 3 that means stage 3 then you can do a pretty good trial where you either get yervoy or pd1. That's a rather new trial for stage 3 folks. But if by 3 you mean stage1 breslow 3 then that's totally different.

          As you probably know Celeste had real good luck with dr weber at mofffitt. He is one of the top melanoma docs in the country. Might be worth it to see him.

          Goid luck.

          Artie

          arthurjedi007
          Participant

            Seems very long and drawn out to me. Also if by 3 that means stage 3 then you can do a pretty good trial where you either get yervoy or pd1. That's a rather new trial for stage 3 folks. But if by 3 you mean stage1 breslow 3 then that's totally different.

            As you probably know Celeste had real good luck with dr weber at mofffitt. He is one of the top melanoma docs in the country. Might be worth it to see him.

            Goid luck.

            Artie

              SABKLYN
              Participant

                Hi Rox,

                there are too many good doctors in Tampa to settle for one with whom you're uncomfortable.  Also, in my mind, I would want a melanoma specialist.  As Artie mentioned, Moffitt is a great choice if for nothing more than a second opinion.  They are likely to be able to offer better treatment options and I would rather be monitored by a group who is very familiar with the disease.

                 

                good luck!!

                SABKLYN
                Participant

                  Hi Rox,

                  there are too many good doctors in Tampa to settle for one with whom you're uncomfortable.  Also, in my mind, I would want a melanoma specialist.  As Artie mentioned, Moffitt is a great choice if for nothing more than a second opinion.  They are likely to be able to offer better treatment options and I would rather be monitored by a group who is very familiar with the disease.

                   

                  good luck!!

                  SABKLYN
                  Participant

                    Hi Rox,

                    there are too many good doctors in Tampa to settle for one with whom you're uncomfortable.  Also, in my mind, I would want a melanoma specialist.  As Artie mentioned, Moffitt is a great choice if for nothing more than a second opinion.  They are likely to be able to offer better treatment options and I would rather be monitored by a group who is very familiar with the disease.

                     

                    good luck!!

                    RoxAnn
                    Participant

                      When I said stage 3, I meant just that. I just spoke to my Oncologist by phone the other day to clarify things. She said Stage 3a. When I mentioned to her about other choices to her other than just getting Interferon, she said no, just Inteferon. I have also done much research myself and when I go to see her on the 6th of May, I will let her know my concerns about other choices I believe I have, this way she can't tell me she has to go or is busy like she did the other day .My Doctor practices at Moffittl, but also at the Veterans Hospital in Tampa in the mornings. Wish me luck!

                      ed williams
                      Participant

                        RoxAnn, take a look at other post and find " Bubbles" name, then go to her profile and find the link to her blog. She has all kind of information about Clinical trials for stage 3 and 4 Melanoma patients. I would find a Melanoma specialist ASAP and get informed, so that you can make an informed decision. Wishing you the best!!! Ed 

                        ed williams
                        Participant

                          RoxAnn, take a look at other post and find " Bubbles" name, then go to her profile and find the link to her blog. She has all kind of information about Clinical trials for stage 3 and 4 Melanoma patients. I would find a Melanoma specialist ASAP and get informed, so that you can make an informed decision. Wishing you the best!!! Ed 

                          ed williams
                          Participant

                            RoxAnn, take a look at other post and find " Bubbles" name, then go to her profile and find the link to her blog. She has all kind of information about Clinical trials for stage 3 and 4 Melanoma patients. I would find a Melanoma specialist ASAP and get informed, so that you can make an informed decision. Wishing you the best!!! Ed 

                            arthurjedi007
                            Participant

                              The stage 3 trial with link to it is posted by speedster on April 15th. Looks like you have to start it within 12 weeks of your surgery so it looks to me like you qualify. You would receive either yervoy or opdivo. You might want to call the clinical trial folks listed at that link. Looks like dr weber has started there in Tampa and has the phone number. If I were you I would make that call and not wait on the doc you've been dealing with. I hope you get in the trial soon. Good luck.

                              Artie

                              arthurjedi007
                              Participant

                                The stage 3 trial with link to it is posted by speedster on April 15th. Looks like you have to start it within 12 weeks of your surgery so it looks to me like you qualify. You would receive either yervoy or opdivo. You might want to call the clinical trial folks listed at that link. Looks like dr weber has started there in Tampa and has the phone number. If I were you I would make that call and not wait on the doc you've been dealing with. I hope you get in the trial soon. Good luck.

                                Artie

                                arthurjedi007
                                Participant

                                  The stage 3 trial with link to it is posted by speedster on April 15th. Looks like you have to start it within 12 weeks of your surgery so it looks to me like you qualify. You would receive either yervoy or opdivo. You might want to call the clinical trial folks listed at that link. Looks like dr weber has started there in Tampa and has the phone number. If I were you I would make that call and not wait on the doc you've been dealing with. I hope you get in the trial soon. Good luck.

                                  Artie

                                  RoxAnn
                                  Participant

                                    When I said stage 3, I meant just that. I just spoke to my Oncologist by phone the other day to clarify things. She said Stage 3a. When I mentioned to her about other choices to her other than just getting Interferon, she said no, just Inteferon. I have also done much research myself and when I go to see her on the 6th of May, I will let her know my concerns about other choices I believe I have, this way she can't tell me she has to go or is busy like she did the other day .My Doctor practices at Moffittl, but also at the Veterans Hospital in Tampa in the mornings. Wish me luck!

                                    RoxAnn
                                    Participant

                                      When I said stage 3, I meant just that. I just spoke to my Oncologist by phone the other day to clarify things. She said Stage 3a. When I mentioned to her about other choices to her other than just getting Interferon, she said no, just Inteferon. I have also done much research myself and when I go to see her on the 6th of May, I will let her know my concerns about other choices I believe I have, this way she can't tell me she has to go or is busy like she did the other day .My Doctor practices at Moffittl, but also at the Veterans Hospital in Tampa in the mornings. Wish me luck!

                                    arthurjedi007
                                    Participant

                                      Seems very long and drawn out to me. Also if by 3 that means stage 3 then you can do a pretty good trial where you either get yervoy or pd1. That's a rather new trial for stage 3 folks. But if by 3 you mean stage1 breslow 3 then that's totally different.

                                      As you probably know Celeste had real good luck with dr weber at mofffitt. He is one of the top melanoma docs in the country. Might be worth it to see him.

                                      Goid luck.

                                      Artie

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