Dr Hamid/The Angeles Clinic.
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Dr Hamid/The Angeles Clinic.

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Dr Hamid/The Angeles Clinic.

  • Post
    • January 17, 2017 at 5:11 am
    snow white
    Participant

    Well. It was a very interesting day to say the least.  I was so nervous for a few days before the visit. We had had all of Dads medical records sent over and we brought CD's of all of his scans.  We ended up mainly seeing Dr. Morganna Freeman who works as a partner to Dr. Hamid.  We LOVED her.  We were at the appointment for 2 1/2 hours.  She is very thorough with her questions.  First of all, she feels that Dad is responding. well to Opdivo.  Unfortuantely, Dads platelets are very low and he hasn't had a treatment since Dec. 27th.  Interesting part of this whole visit is that she is suspicious that Dad might have some type of fungal infection that often mimics tumors (I don't really understand it).  She looked at all of Dads pathology and found that the Left Lung lower lobe that was removed showed that it tested positve for fungal elements. This is something that we have never heard before.  She was also fairly sceptical about Dad having LMD, though it is a possibilty for sure, it could also be something else.  She said that they will do the Spinal tap for the LMD and also check for this particular Fungus.  The plan is to try to get his platelets up, most likely by giving him a good dose of steroids, if that doesnt' do it, then a product called N Plate will be used.  We can't have the Spinal Tap until his platelets are over 100,000.  They took about 10 vials of blood and we should have some results back by tomorrow.  On top of all of this.  We were in the ER with Dad saturday night because his temp shot up to 101.7.  He had been fighting what we thought was a cold.  It turned out to be the Flu.  They started him on Tamiflu and he is already feeling better.

    There was much more talked about, but honestly my head is spinning.  We also did see Dr. Hamid and he had already been "briefed" about Dad and concurred with everything Dr. Freeman had said.  Dad goes back next Monday and we will go from there!  We are so happy that we decided to go there.  Everyone was great, it felt like the right place to be!   Also, I was SO happy to meet Paul and his daughter.  What a great guy that has been through so much.  I know it was helpful to my Mom to speak to him and hear him say that he felt it "was the place to be".  Thanks Paul!!!    Hope all are hanging in there.

    xo Jen

Viewing 23 reply threads
  • Replies
      • January 17, 2017 at 9:27 am
      maperny
      Participant

      Very pleased to read this.  It's so good to feel you are in safe hands who care and are eager to help

      good luck with getting platelets up!

      Maria

      • January 17, 2017 at 9:27 am
      maperny
      Participant

      Very pleased to read this.  It's so good to feel you are in safe hands who care and are eager to help

      good luck with getting platelets up!

      Maria

      • January 17, 2017 at 9:27 am
      maperny
      Participant

      Very pleased to read this.  It's so good to feel you are in safe hands who care and are eager to help

      good luck with getting platelets up!

      Maria

      • January 17, 2017 at 2:33 pm
      debwray
      Participant

      Hi Jen,

      Thanks for the updates.. Was thinking about both you and Paul yesterday.  If your Mum is now on board with Melanoma experts being in charge..things should be a bit easier- bar the travelling I guess. Looks like you have a few more questions that need answering before you move forward- but at least they are sorting the pathway back to treatment. Glad to hear it was a positive experience.

      Best wishes

      Deb

      • January 17, 2017 at 2:33 pm
      debwray
      Participant

      Hi Jen,

      Thanks for the updates.. Was thinking about both you and Paul yesterday.  If your Mum is now on board with Melanoma experts being in charge..things should be a bit easier- bar the travelling I guess. Looks like you have a few more questions that need answering before you move forward- but at least they are sorting the pathway back to treatment. Glad to hear it was a positive experience.

      Best wishes

      Deb

      • January 17, 2017 at 2:33 pm
      debwray
      Participant

      Hi Jen,

      Thanks for the updates.. Was thinking about both you and Paul yesterday.  If your Mum is now on board with Melanoma experts being in charge..things should be a bit easier- bar the travelling I guess. Looks like you have a few more questions that need answering before you move forward- but at least they are sorting the pathway back to treatment. Glad to hear it was a positive experience.

      Best wishes

      Deb

      • January 17, 2017 at 3:23 pm
      cancersnewnormal
      Participant

      Glad to hear it was a comforting experience! Travel for treatment isn't always pleasant or convenient, but it really helps a lot when you can feel as though you're in the right place. It makes any inconvenience worth it.

      Fungus…. huh. That is interesting. Hopefully they can get that taken care of and have him feeling even BETTER!

      • January 17, 2017 at 3:23 pm
      cancersnewnormal
      Participant

      Glad to hear it was a comforting experience! Travel for treatment isn't always pleasant or convenient, but it really helps a lot when you can feel as though you're in the right place. It makes any inconvenience worth it.

      Fungus…. huh. That is interesting. Hopefully they can get that taken care of and have him feeling even BETTER!

      • January 17, 2017 at 3:23 pm
      cancersnewnormal
      Participant

      Glad to hear it was a comforting experience! Travel for treatment isn't always pleasant or convenient, but it really helps a lot when you can feel as though you're in the right place. It makes any inconvenience worth it.

      Fungus…. huh. That is interesting. Hopefully they can get that taken care of and have him feeling even BETTER!

      • January 17, 2017 at 6:45 pm
      Scooby123
      Participant
      So pleased for you and your dad hun.keep that positive spirit up. Sending hugs
      Scooby x
      • January 17, 2017 at 6:45 pm
      Scooby123
      Participant
      So pleased for you and your dad hun.keep that positive spirit up. Sending hugs
      Scooby x
      • January 17, 2017 at 6:45 pm
      Scooby123
      Participant
      So pleased for you and your dad hun.keep that positive spirit up. Sending hugs
      Scooby x
      • January 17, 2017 at 10:27 pm
      Polymath
      Participant

      Hi Jen,

      Sounds like the Angeles Clinic was a good move.  Best to Dad, Mom, and you in beating back the beast.

      Gary

      • January 17, 2017 at 10:27 pm
      Polymath
      Participant

      Hi Jen,

      Sounds like the Angeles Clinic was a good move.  Best to Dad, Mom, and you in beating back the beast.

      Gary

      • January 17, 2017 at 10:27 pm
      Polymath
      Participant

      Hi Jen,

      Sounds like the Angeles Clinic was a good move.  Best to Dad, Mom, and you in beating back the beast.

      Gary

      • January 17, 2017 at 11:34 pm
      keepthefaith11
      Participant
      Jen, so glad the appointment went well and that you feel confident in them! That is such a comforting feeling. Sending positive thoughts!

      Annie

      • January 17, 2017 at 11:34 pm
      keepthefaith11
      Participant
      Jen, so glad the appointment went well and that you feel confident in them! That is such a comforting feeling. Sending positive thoughts!

      Annie

      • January 17, 2017 at 11:34 pm
      keepthefaith11
      Participant
      Jen, so glad the appointment went well and that you feel confident in them! That is such a comforting feeling. Sending positive thoughts!

      Annie

      • January 18, 2017 at 12:54 am
      snow white
      Participant

      Thank you all for your kind words, it means so much.  We are feeling even better today about our decision.  Dr. Freeman has already been in contact with my Dad's current oncologist, USC regarding lung biopsy that was done, has talked to an infectious disease doc, and has all blood work back!  She called and gave us the update this morning.  GOOD NEWS: Dads platelets came up!!!!!

      xo Jen

      • January 18, 2017 at 12:54 am
      snow white
      Participant

      Thank you all for your kind words, it means so much.  We are feeling even better today about our decision.  Dr. Freeman has already been in contact with my Dad's current oncologist, USC regarding lung biopsy that was done, has talked to an infectious disease doc, and has all blood work back!  She called and gave us the update this morning.  GOOD NEWS: Dads platelets came up!!!!!

      xo Jen

      • January 18, 2017 at 12:54 am
      snow white
      Participant

      Thank you all for your kind words, it means so much.  We are feeling even better today about our decision.  Dr. Freeman has already been in contact with my Dad's current oncologist, USC regarding lung biopsy that was done, has talked to an infectious disease doc, and has all blood work back!  She called and gave us the update this morning.  GOOD NEWS: Dads platelets came up!!!!!

      xo Jen

      • January 18, 2017 at 1:03 am
      Bubbles
      Participant

      Such great news all around, Jen!!!  So hopeful for your dad.  Glad they are taking testing for LMD seriously, but have fingers crossed that it is not part of what he is dealing with and it is very reassuring that the docs feel that it is unlikely!!!  Hang in there!! celeste

      • January 18, 2017 at 1:03 am
      Bubbles
      Participant

      Such great news all around, Jen!!!  So hopeful for your dad.  Glad they are taking testing for LMD seriously, but have fingers crossed that it is not part of what he is dealing with and it is very reassuring that the docs feel that it is unlikely!!!  Hang in there!! celeste

      • January 18, 2017 at 1:03 am
      Bubbles
      Participant

      Such great news all around, Jen!!!  So hopeful for your dad.  Glad they are taking testing for LMD seriously, but have fingers crossed that it is not part of what he is dealing with and it is very reassuring that the docs feel that it is unlikely!!!  Hang in there!! celeste

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