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MD Anderson Patients

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › MD Anderson Patients

  • Post
    • March 30, 2017 at 11:58 pm
    TexMelanomex
    Participant

    Just out of curiousity, how many of us are MDA patients? I live in Texas but travel about 4 hours to get there if driving (or 30 minutes by air) but I know people come from all over the country (and world). Each time I'm there I meet really interesting and positive people so I was wondering how many of you go there?

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  • Replies
      • March 31, 2017 at 12:01 am
      TexMelanomex
      Participant

      Not sure why this posted anonymously, I created it.

      • March 31, 2017 at 12:29 am
      BrianP
      Participant

      I've been going there the last 6 months.  May not and hopefully won't need to go back again.  It's a big big place and you can feel like a number there but overall I've been very impressed.

        • March 31, 2017 at 1:21 am
        TexMelanomex
        Participant

        I hope you're right Brian, if we never bumped into each other there that would be ok! I agree, massive place, but I have also been impressed even though I'm early in this journey. So far everything has gone smoothly. Still waiting on SLNB results…Currently stage II and hope I don't see any other stages.

      • March 31, 2017 at 4:28 am
      RitysMom
      Participant

      My daughter is a new patient at MDA. She lives in Alabama which is a little over a 7 hour drive or an hour and a half flight. I live in CA. Logistics are definitely going to be an issue, but we will do what it takes to work it out.

      • March 31, 2017 at 12:08 pm
      MichelleRHG
      Participant
      I have flown from Ky. 3 times so far. Nov., Jan. and Feb. Twice for consults, once for surgery . I always feel very confident in the care I receive. It could be a really depressing place but the kindness of everyone helps alleviate that.
      • March 31, 2017 at 3:42 pm
      iskitwo
      Participant

      I have been to to MD for second option after diagnosis and for my first set of follow up scans. I will be doing my next set of scans at home and as long as I stay NED then I will continue watch and scan (I dont't like saying watch and wait) at home. But if I need MD I know it's there for me. Great doctors! I live in the Dallas area so I am only 3.5 hrs away.

      Missy

      • March 31, 2017 at 5:18 pm
      jbronicki
      Participant

      We live just south of Houston in Pearland.  My husband has his surgery there and gets his follow-up scans and appointments with Dr. Amaria.   Whenever we are sitting in the waiting room up on the Melanoma floor, I always look around and wonder if I'll see anyone from the board! 

        • March 31, 2017 at 7:13 pm
        TexMelanomex
        Participant

        Me too Jackie, this last time I was there I was sitting in the Melonama clinic waiting room and wondering the exact same thing!

      • April 1, 2017 at 4:52 am
      KimW
      Participant

      My husband had his surgery there by Dr. Ross in December of 2014 and continues to be monitored closely every 4 months now. His oncologist is Dr. Amaria and we love both doctors as well as the staff. So far he's only had the surgery and punch biopsies so it's still "watch and wait" status. (Stage 3b because of intransits)  We are so thankful that we only live an hour north of Houston. Tex, I'm hoping your pathology report is good! 

      Kiim

      • April 1, 2017 at 8:00 am
      Coach337
      Participant

      Drove in numerous times from Louisiana and was a patient from last April through September (Melanoma: Doctor's Glitza & Ross).

       

        • April 1, 2017 at 4:00 pm
        TexMelanomex
        Participant

        I also have Dr. Ross, no medical oncologist yet (not sure if I will have one if results are neg?) as I am still waiting on SLNB results.

      • April 3, 2017 at 3:35 am
      AshleyS
      Participant

      When I was first diagnosed with advanced stage melanoma in July of 2014, I was 20 weeks pregnant. I went to Mayo Clinic because that's what everyone in my area (rural, central North Dakota) does. Let's just say I didn't click with my team at Mayo. After failing chemotherapy, I was told to "go home and be with my family." I had a 2 year old and a two month old at home so I took a more proactive approach. I switched my care to MDA. First I was on a trial and moved to Texas. Since I was kicked off, we went home to ND but continue to go down for scans every 3 months and now every 4 months. (I've been NED since November of 2015.) I ❤ it there; as soon as I walk through the doors, I'm at peace. 

      • April 16, 2017 at 4:08 pm
      BetsyG
      Participant

      My son sees Dr. Ross at MD Anderson.  We live in Austin where the local oncologist didn't know that ipi is approved for Stage 3 and the lab can't tell the difference between atypical cells and melanoma.  I'm very thankful that MD Anderson is an option for him.

        • May 13, 2017 at 2:14 am
        TexMelanomex
        Participant

        Anon, we are right up the road from you about an hour or so. I am very greatful for the treatment and the team at MDA. I now have Dr. Amaria as my medical oncologist (although I hope I don't need her) but still have Dr. Ross as my surgical oncologist, great guy!

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