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Friend diagnosed…need help with questions for the dr.
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Friend diagnosed…need help with questions for the dr.

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Friend diagnosed…need help with questions for the dr.

  • Post
    • December 16, 2010 at 11:18 pm
    Noramott
    Participant

      Hi.  I haven't been here in a long time.  My first husband passed away with Melanoma 7 1/2 years ago.  I have just found out that a friend has to go to a surgeon to have one removed.  Needless to say, he is very upset.  I remembered this site and knew you all could help him.  He hasn't gotten a lot of info.  He knows it has to come off.  What are the questions that he has to ask the dr when they call him to tell him the results.  The derm told him it was suspicious.  The surgeon that read the same report told him it sounded like

      Hi.  I haven't been here in a long time.  My first husband passed away with Melanoma 7 1/2 years ago.  I have just found out that a friend has to go to a surgeon to have one removed.  Needless to say, he is very upset.  I remembered this site and knew you all could help him.  He hasn't gotten a lot of info.  He knows it has to come off.  What are the questions that he has to ask the dr when they call him to tell him the results.  The derm told him it was suspicious.  The surgeon that read the same report told him it sounded like it is Stage 2.  It has been a long time since my husband went through it and even then, I didn't know what to ask at the beginning.  I didn't find this site till much later.  So please help him. Thank you.

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    • Replies
        • December 16, 2010 at 11:25 pm
        jim Breitfeller
        Participant

          Reply to this request: If you contact me at [email protected], I will send a paper that will be very Helpful.

          Take care

          Jimmy B

          http://melanomamissionary.blogspot.com/

          Melanoma Missionary

          • December 16, 2010 at 11:25 pm
          jim Breitfeller
          Participant

            Reply to this request: If you contact me at [email protected], I will send a paper that will be very Helpful.

            Take care

            Jimmy B

            http://melanomamissionary.blogspot.com/

            Melanoma Missionary

            • December 17, 2010 at 12:49 am
            dian in spokane
            Participant

              Hi Nora,

              You are such a good friend to come back to this place to help your friend. I am sure it holds painful memories for you. You might remember that sometimes, when one is faced with such shocking news, it's easy to confuse 'breslow's depth' with 'clarkes level' So maybe he is not stage 2.

              It sounds like maybe he's had a biopsy, and been referred to a surgeon for a wide local excision and, perhaps, a sentinal node biopsy..which would be normal if his breslow's depth is over 1mm.

              If you were here 7 and 8 yrs ago, you probably remember Janner, and all the great advice she gave (and still does) She's developed a site of her own, which you can find at: http://www.melanomaresources.info and it has a newly diagnosed section. I'd also say..send your friend here if he is ready to start doing some research.

              I went looking for an article I used to have that listed questions to ask on your first doctor visit, but I can't find it. But, he should ask for a copy of his pathology report, and for an explanation of the details contained in that report.

              He should ask about the Breslow's depth of his tumor, about the miotic rate, about ulceration. He should ask about the plan of action, and if he will be referred to an oncologist ..and if not, why not.

              You are a good friend!

              dian in spokane

                • December 17, 2010 at 3:37 am
                Noramott
                Participant

                  dian in spokane,

                  Thank you for the reply.  Yes I remember Janner from years ago.  I actually had thought she would respond, I don't know why but that was the familiar person that answered so many questions years ago.  I will pass on the advice.  Thank you again.

                  • December 17, 2010 at 3:13 pm
                  Janner
                  Participant

                    I would have responded, but Dian beat me to it!  Happy to answer any questions you or your friend has!

                    Janner

                    [email protected]

                    • December 17, 2010 at 3:13 pm
                    Janner
                    Participant

                      I would have responded, but Dian beat me to it!  Happy to answer any questions you or your friend has!

                      Janner

                      [email protected]

                      • December 17, 2010 at 3:37 am
                      Noramott
                      Participant

                        dian in spokane,

                        Thank you for the reply.  Yes I remember Janner from years ago.  I actually had thought she would respond, I don't know why but that was the familiar person that answered so many questions years ago.  I will pass on the advice.  Thank you again.

                      • December 17, 2010 at 12:49 am
                      dian in spokane
                      Participant

                        Hi Nora,

                        You are such a good friend to come back to this place to help your friend. I am sure it holds painful memories for you. You might remember that sometimes, when one is faced with such shocking news, it's easy to confuse 'breslow's depth' with 'clarkes level' So maybe he is not stage 2.

                        It sounds like maybe he's had a biopsy, and been referred to a surgeon for a wide local excision and, perhaps, a sentinal node biopsy..which would be normal if his breslow's depth is over 1mm.

                        If you were here 7 and 8 yrs ago, you probably remember Janner, and all the great advice she gave (and still does) She's developed a site of her own, which you can find at: http://www.melanomaresources.info and it has a newly diagnosed section. I'd also say..send your friend here if he is ready to start doing some research.

                        I went looking for an article I used to have that listed questions to ask on your first doctor visit, but I can't find it. But, he should ask for a copy of his pathology report, and for an explanation of the details contained in that report.

                        He should ask about the Breslow's depth of his tumor, about the miotic rate, about ulceration. He should ask about the plan of action, and if he will be referred to an oncologist ..and if not, why not.

                        You are a good friend!

                        dian in spokane

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