MRF-Logo2019-Horizontal-RGB
Looking for dr or treament in Michigan or IN, OH, IL
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Looking for dr or treament in Michigan or IN, OH, IL

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Looking for dr or treament in Michigan or IN, OH, IL

  • Post
    • October 30, 2010 at 11:46 pm
    naty
    Participant

      We are in West Michigan we I am looking for a recommended physician or treatment center in the region.  It is for my father who states he is wanting to travel if that is what it takes.  He wants to fight the best possible fight.  He had an oncologist at Spectrum Health and we did go to U-M and they offered only radiation to the head for 2 weeks and then temedor.   Where's a good place to start trials?  Karmanos in Detroit?  We are open to suggestions as my dad has just started his fight with stage IV.  Please share your thoughts.  Thank you!

      We are in West Michigan we I am looking for a recommended physician or treatment center in the region.  It is for my father who states he is wanting to travel if that is what it takes.  He wants to fight the best possible fight.  He had an oncologist at Spectrum Health and we did go to U-M and they offered only radiation to the head for 2 weeks and then temedor.   Where's a good place to start trials?  Karmanos in Detroit?  We are open to suggestions as my dad has just started his fight with stage IV.  Please share your thoughts.  Thank you!

    Viewing 9 reply threads
    • Replies
        • October 31, 2010 at 1:59 am
        Fen
        Participant

          I know you asked for specific states, but please check out MD Anderson in Texas.  So many people on the board have been there and been treated by melanoma specialists.  I'm not certain, but I think they may be able to coordinate treatment with a local oncologist or hospital.   

          The board is slow on weekends so you may have to repost on Monday.  I'll be keeping you and your family in my prayers.

          Fen

          • October 31, 2010 at 1:59 am
          Fen
          Participant

            I know you asked for specific states, but please check out MD Anderson in Texas.  So many people on the board have been there and been treated by melanoma specialists.  I'm not certain, but I think they may be able to coordinate treatment with a local oncologist or hospital.   

            The board is slow on weekends so you may have to repost on Monday.  I'll be keeping you and your family in my prayers.

            Fen

            • October 31, 2010 at 2:02 am
            EricNJill
            Participant

              We live around Dayton, OH and have been traveling to Pittsburgh, PA.  Dr. Kirkwood is an excellent specialist at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.  Eric has done all the treatments available there so now we are headed to Nashville, TN but I highly recommend Dr. Kirkwood.  Eric's care there was the best.

              On my blog, I have resources listed for flying to treatments.  http://www.melanomasucks.blogspot.com.  We currently us Angel Flight East for Eric's treatments.  They are wonderful.

               

              Good luck to you.  Jill N Eric In OH

              • October 31, 2010 at 2:02 am
              EricNJill
              Participant

                We live around Dayton, OH and have been traveling to Pittsburgh, PA.  Dr. Kirkwood is an excellent specialist at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.  Eric has done all the treatments available there so now we are headed to Nashville, TN but I highly recommend Dr. Kirkwood.  Eric's care there was the best.

                On my blog, I have resources listed for flying to treatments.  http://www.melanomasucks.blogspot.com.  We currently us Angel Flight East for Eric's treatments.  They are wonderful.

                 

                Good luck to you.  Jill N Eric In OH

                • October 31, 2010 at 3:06 am
                mrsmarilyn
                Participant

                  I'm also in Michigan-but I would go to Dr. Kirkwood, or Sara Cannon Nashville, TN or MD Anderson – Karmanos-will not have the access to clinicals like these leading – centers listed –and you will waste time.  I know because we wasted years at Emory, GA – and should have been somewhere else. Nothing against Emory, it is just not their specialty – and my brother has made more progress at Sara Cannon in 9 months, than he did in six years at Emory.  Worth the trip.  Best of luck!

                  MrsMarilyn

                  Sister of Gary Stage IV

                  • October 31, 2010 at 3:06 am
                  mrsmarilyn
                  Participant

                    I'm also in Michigan-but I would go to Dr. Kirkwood, or Sara Cannon Nashville, TN or MD Anderson – Karmanos-will not have the access to clinicals like these leading – centers listed –and you will waste time.  I know because we wasted years at Emory, GA – and should have been somewhere else. Nothing against Emory, it is just not their specialty – and my brother has made more progress at Sara Cannon in 9 months, than he did in six years at Emory.  Worth the trip.  Best of luck!

                    MrsMarilyn

                    Sister of Gary Stage IV

                    • October 31, 2010 at 4:12 pm
                    Lori C
                    Participant

                      In Illinois I would consider the University of Chicago – Dr. Thomas Gajewski – or Dr. Howard Kaufman at Rush.

                      • October 31, 2010 at 4:12 pm
                      Lori C
                      Participant

                        In Illinois I would consider the University of Chicago – Dr. Thomas Gajewski – or Dr. Howard Kaufman at Rush.

                        • November 1, 2010 at 12:58 am
                        Jim in Denver
                        Participant

                          Hi Naty,

                          As a Stage IV patient, I decided it would not be too much to hop on an airplane to travel to a place that has a specialty in melanoma.  My goal was to get a treatment (or more than one, if necessary) that offered a decent chance of being effective.  I am one of those who chose to go to MD Anderson in Houston, and I have not regretted that decision for a minute.  It is possible to lose valuable time dealing with people who do not specialize in melanoma, or who specialize but who don't have access to the most current treatments available.  Bless you for helping your father through this difficult time and with difficult decisions.

                          Best Wishes,

                          Jim

                          • November 1, 2010 at 12:58 am
                          Jim in Denver
                          Participant

                            Hi Naty,

                            As a Stage IV patient, I decided it would not be too much to hop on an airplane to travel to a place that has a specialty in melanoma.  My goal was to get a treatment (or more than one, if necessary) that offered a decent chance of being effective.  I am one of those who chose to go to MD Anderson in Houston, and I have not regretted that decision for a minute.  It is possible to lose valuable time dealing with people who do not specialize in melanoma, or who specialize but who don't have access to the most current treatments available.  Bless you for helping your father through this difficult time and with difficult decisions.

                            Best Wishes,

                            Jim

                              • November 3, 2010 at 1:04 am
                              naty
                              Participant

                                Thanks for all the info.  I called MD Anderson today and we are in the process of getting together all his scans and path reports and faxing it to them so they will review it and get back to us regarding an appointment.   This site has really given him some hope that somehow he can beat this.   I'm hoping this process will go fast.  My father finishes his radiation 2 weeks from today.  So it will get tricky as to starting temedor here or waiting for MD Anderson.  Hopefully everything will fall into place!  Maybe Thanksgiving will be in Houston with warm weather.

                                • November 3, 2010 at 2:59 am
                                mrsmarilyn
                                Participant

                                  Best of luck!  Dont give up – there are alot of excellent improvements out there and MD Anderson is agreat place to find them.  You are an excellent daughter!

                                  MrsMarilyn

                                  Sister of Gary (stage IV)

                                  • November 3, 2010 at 4:07 pm
                                  naty
                                  Participant

                                    ahhh, thank you!  it's so hard being that sandwich generation.  I have a special needs daughter (spina bifida and some other problems with her spine) who is 19mo's so between the two of them and my oldest dtr, time is limited.  I got everything faxed to MD Anderson this morning!!  I think they have all his CT's (head, neck, chest, and abd/pelvis) and his Brain MRI and last labs, as well as both path reports from his liver biopsies.  I feel like a rock has been lifted.  

                                    Melissa

                                    • November 3, 2010 at 10:38 pm
                                    Jim in Denver
                                    Participant

                                      Hi Melissa,

                                      Thank you very much for the updates.  I think you are making a good move to have your Dad go to MDA, and I am very glad that you feel the burden lifting from your shoulders.  They will take the lead on treatment at MDA and then you can assume more of an assistant role.  I think you are finding that they run an excellent operation down there, and that your Dad will get the best care available.  The travel and logistics will still present issues for you, but they have been well worth it, in my experience.  Please let us know how he is doing and best wishes to you, your Dad, and your entire family.

                                      Best,

                                      Jim

                                      • November 3, 2010 at 10:38 pm
                                      Jim in Denver
                                      Participant

                                        Hi Melissa,

                                        Thank you very much for the updates.  I think you are making a good move to have your Dad go to MDA, and I am very glad that you feel the burden lifting from your shoulders.  They will take the lead on treatment at MDA and then you can assume more of an assistant role.  I think you are finding that they run an excellent operation down there, and that your Dad will get the best care available.  The travel and logistics will still present issues for you, but they have been well worth it, in my experience.  Please let us know how he is doing and best wishes to you, your Dad, and your entire family.

                                        Best,

                                        Jim

                                        • November 3, 2010 at 4:07 pm
                                        naty
                                        Participant

                                          ahhh, thank you!  it's so hard being that sandwich generation.  I have a special needs daughter (spina bifida and some other problems with her spine) who is 19mo's so between the two of them and my oldest dtr, time is limited.  I got everything faxed to MD Anderson this morning!!  I think they have all his CT's (head, neck, chest, and abd/pelvis) and his Brain MRI and last labs, as well as both path reports from his liver biopsies.  I feel like a rock has been lifted.  

                                          Melissa

                                          • November 3, 2010 at 2:59 am
                                          mrsmarilyn
                                          Participant

                                            Best of luck!  Dont give up – there are alot of excellent improvements out there and MD Anderson is agreat place to find them.  You are an excellent daughter!

                                            MrsMarilyn

                                            Sister of Gary (stage IV)

                                            • November 3, 2010 at 1:04 am
                                            naty
                                            Participant

                                              Thanks for all the info.  I called MD Anderson today and we are in the process of getting together all his scans and path reports and faxing it to them so they will review it and get back to us regarding an appointment.   This site has really given him some hope that somehow he can beat this.   I'm hoping this process will go fast.  My father finishes his radiation 2 weeks from today.  So it will get tricky as to starting temedor here or waiting for MD Anderson.  Hopefully everything will fall into place!  Maybe Thanksgiving will be in Houston with warm weather.

                                        Viewing 9 reply threads
                                        • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
                                        About the MRF Patient Forum

                                        The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

                                        The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

                                        Popular Topics