Update on Dad
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Update on Dad

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Update on Dad

  • Post
    • October 5, 2016 at 2:36 am
    snow white
    Participant

    My Dad (and Mom) met with Dr. Christopher Dumas and Dr. Amanda Shroyer today at Hoag.  Dr Dumas is a brain surgeon and specializes in the Gamma Knife.  Dr Shroyer is a specialist with the Cyber Knife.

    My Dad called me (unfortuanely I am away on a Business trip that he was supposed to take) this afternoon and sounded very good on the phone, he said he felt very confident in the Doctors and felt that they answered any and all of his and moms questions.  Dad was worried that he had to many mets (8+) to do it, but the doctor reassured him that he has done 20+ before and not to worry.  Dr. Dumas inquired where else Dad has mets and Dad told him that he has them in the Spleen, lower abdomen and upper thigh.  Dr. Dumas said that they could use the Cyber Knife on those, but that the most important right now is the Brain.  They will do the procedure on Thursday with a High Def MRI just before.  I told Dad not to be surprised if they do the MRI and they see more than they origanally told him that he had.  So he is prepared for that.  

    We still havent heard back from Dr, Margolin at City of Hope to see what treatment he will do afterward, she is on Vacation until the 13th.  

    So praying all goes well on Thursday!!

     

    PS. Still absolutely no symptoms, he said "I feel just fine, just like I did before" LOL.  I said well that's a good thing 🙂

Viewing 5 reply threads
  • Replies
      • October 5, 2016 at 12:26 pm
      debwray
      Participant

      Hi Jennifer,

      Thanks for reporting progress. Pleased to hear no symptoms from the brain mets and that you and your Dad are feeling reassured about this treatment being a good call in the circumstances.

      It is one hell of  a ride at times and so scary trying to assess treatments in double quick time from a standing start. Having the confidence to reject an on hand opinion and treatment plan from a qualified individual in favour of an unspecified treatment from a more specialist doctor takes courage but I am convinced that even with some extra delay the balance is usually in favour of the specialists.

      Hope Dr Margolin delivers the goods for your Dad over the next week or so. 

      It is all a huge learning curve but you are on the case  and sound as though you are at peace with the current plan of action so that is great .

      Best wishes for Thursday

      Deb

       

       

      • October 5, 2016 at 12:26 pm
      debwray
      Participant

      Hi Jennifer,

      Thanks for reporting progress. Pleased to hear no symptoms from the brain mets and that you and your Dad are feeling reassured about this treatment being a good call in the circumstances.

      It is one hell of  a ride at times and so scary trying to assess treatments in double quick time from a standing start. Having the confidence to reject an on hand opinion and treatment plan from a qualified individual in favour of an unspecified treatment from a more specialist doctor takes courage but I am convinced that even with some extra delay the balance is usually in favour of the specialists.

      Hope Dr Margolin delivers the goods for your Dad over the next week or so. 

      It is all a huge learning curve but you are on the case  and sound as though you are at peace with the current plan of action so that is great .

      Best wishes for Thursday

      Deb

       

       

        • October 5, 2016 at 6:16 pm
        snow white
        Participant

        Thank you Deb.  I am so happy that I found this Forum to talk to other people going through this.  You are right it is a very scary thing and quite the roller coaster ride.  Fortunatley (or not) I myself am a cancer survior and have been through lots of treatment, chemo, ct scans, blood tests etc. It has kind of helped me to "understand" what it is that Dad is up against, although Melanoma is a completely diffrent BEAST than Uternine Cancer was, I still understand.  

        Your encouragement and kind words mean more than you know.  Thank you again!

        • October 5, 2016 at 6:16 pm
        snow white
        Participant

        Thank you Deb.  I am so happy that I found this Forum to talk to other people going through this.  You are right it is a very scary thing and quite the roller coaster ride.  Fortunatley (or not) I myself am a cancer survior and have been through lots of treatment, chemo, ct scans, blood tests etc. It has kind of helped me to "understand" what it is that Dad is up against, although Melanoma is a completely diffrent BEAST than Uternine Cancer was, I still understand.  

        Your encouragement and kind words mean more than you know.  Thank you again!

        • October 5, 2016 at 6:16 pm
        snow white
        Participant

        Thank you Deb.  I am so happy that I found this Forum to talk to other people going through this.  You are right it is a very scary thing and quite the roller coaster ride.  Fortunatley (or not) I myself am a cancer survior and have been through lots of treatment, chemo, ct scans, blood tests etc. It has kind of helped me to "understand" what it is that Dad is up against, although Melanoma is a completely diffrent BEAST than Uternine Cancer was, I still understand.  

        Your encouragement and kind words mean more than you know.  Thank you again!

      • October 5, 2016 at 12:26 pm
      debwray
      Participant

      Hi Jennifer,

      Thanks for reporting progress. Pleased to hear no symptoms from the brain mets and that you and your Dad are feeling reassured about this treatment being a good call in the circumstances.

      It is one hell of  a ride at times and so scary trying to assess treatments in double quick time from a standing start. Having the confidence to reject an on hand opinion and treatment plan from a qualified individual in favour of an unspecified treatment from a more specialist doctor takes courage but I am convinced that even with some extra delay the balance is usually in favour of the specialists.

      Hope Dr Margolin delivers the goods for your Dad over the next week or so. 

      It is all a huge learning curve but you are on the case  and sound as though you are at peace with the current plan of action so that is great .

      Best wishes for Thursday

      Deb

       

       

      • October 5, 2016 at 2:46 pm
      cancersnewnormal
      Participant

      It's great that he is still feeling as normal as ever. It sounds like he has two very informed docs taking care of him. It's nice to have access to specialists who are willing to go the extra step and push beyond the currently antiquated label of "standard care". We'll be thinking about him tomorrow! Please let us know how he is feeling Friday. smiley

      • October 5, 2016 at 2:46 pm
      cancersnewnormal
      Participant

      It's great that he is still feeling as normal as ever. It sounds like he has two very informed docs taking care of him. It's nice to have access to specialists who are willing to go the extra step and push beyond the currently antiquated label of "standard care". We'll be thinking about him tomorrow! Please let us know how he is feeling Friday. smiley

        • October 5, 2016 at 6:16 pm
        snow white
        Participant

        Thank you Niki!  I will update as soon as I hear anything! 🙂

        • October 5, 2016 at 6:16 pm
        snow white
        Participant

        Thank you Niki!  I will update as soon as I hear anything! 🙂

        • October 5, 2016 at 6:16 pm
        snow white
        Participant

        Thank you Niki!  I will update as soon as I hear anything! 🙂

      • October 5, 2016 at 2:46 pm
      cancersnewnormal
      Participant

      It's great that he is still feeling as normal as ever. It sounds like he has two very informed docs taking care of him. It's nice to have access to specialists who are willing to go the extra step and push beyond the currently antiquated label of "standard care". We'll be thinking about him tomorrow! Please let us know how he is feeling Friday. smiley

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