› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Melanoma Specialist in Alabama?
- This topic has 27 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 11 months ago by
back2bama.
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- August 17, 2012 at 12:58 pm
My husband was diagnosed 2 years ago with stage 4 melanoma. The tumor was in his lymph node under his right arm. The PET scan only showed the cancer there. They've not been able to find where it started. After several months of intense radiation and chemo combined, they said there was nothing they more they could do. The tumor was too big for surgery.
My husband was diagnosed 2 years ago with stage 4 melanoma. The tumor was in his lymph node under his right arm. The PET scan only showed the cancer there. They've not been able to find where it started. After several months of intense radiation and chemo combined, they said there was nothing they more they could do. The tumor was too big for surgery.
He won't go back to the oncologist because he already was told there was nothing they could do. Surely there is a melanoma specialist in the State of Alabama who could find a treatment to help. He can feel it growing and spreading.
Anybody have any suggestions?
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- August 17, 2012 at 1:33 pm
There may be nothing more that dr can do but there’s still plenty that can be done. We left our first dr to get a second opion and my husband is stage 5 and doing well.First there are new drug that were developed last year. Yervoy and zelobraf we have had both and have responded to both. My husband has had 2 gamma knife surgeries, had 4 doses of yervoy and started Zelobraf 6 weeks ago. Scan wed showed a 9 centimeter tumor on kidney gone. Mets in chest cavity barely visible. He also had about 15 knots on skin that we watched shrink and disappear.
God is still in the healing buisness he has not left you are forsaken you. Never ever stop fighting. Many prays and love going your way.
Belva loving wife to Lynn of 32 years
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- August 17, 2012 at 1:33 pm
There may be nothing more that dr can do but there’s still plenty that can be done. We left our first dr to get a second opion and my husband is stage 5 and doing well.First there are new drug that were developed last year. Yervoy and zelobraf we have had both and have responded to both. My husband has had 2 gamma knife surgeries, had 4 doses of yervoy and started Zelobraf 6 weeks ago. Scan wed showed a 9 centimeter tumor on kidney gone. Mets in chest cavity barely visible. He also had about 15 knots on skin that we watched shrink and disappear.
God is still in the healing buisness he has not left you are forsaken you. Never ever stop fighting. Many prays and love going your way.
Belva loving wife to Lynn of 32 years
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- August 17, 2012 at 6:32 pm
Thanks for the words of hope and support.
We had heard of both of the drugs you mention and asked the Dr. about them. He said they were unavailable in our area.
I'm hoping that if I can figure out a way to see another Dr., they will be able to find either or both.
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- August 17, 2012 at 6:32 pm
Thanks for the words of hope and support.
We had heard of both of the drugs you mention and asked the Dr. about them. He said they were unavailable in our area.
I'm hoping that if I can figure out a way to see another Dr., they will be able to find either or both.
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- August 17, 2012 at 9:07 pm
"unavailable in the area"? They're FDA approved drugs and available anywhere in the US. This means the oncologist or hospital isn't willing to try a new drug. I'd definitely be looking for another doctor. If you can't get anywhere with your insurance company in asking for a second opinion out of network, I'd contact your state insurance commissioner to see if they can help "influence" your insurance company to let you see a doctor willing to use the newer drugs.
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- August 17, 2012 at 9:07 pm
"unavailable in the area"? They're FDA approved drugs and available anywhere in the US. This means the oncologist or hospital isn't willing to try a new drug. I'd definitely be looking for another doctor. If you can't get anywhere with your insurance company in asking for a second opinion out of network, I'd contact your state insurance commissioner to see if they can help "influence" your insurance company to let you see a doctor willing to use the newer drugs.
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- August 17, 2012 at 9:07 pm
"unavailable in the area"? They're FDA approved drugs and available anywhere in the US. This means the oncologist or hospital isn't willing to try a new drug. I'd definitely be looking for another doctor. If you can't get anywhere with your insurance company in asking for a second opinion out of network, I'd contact your state insurance commissioner to see if they can help "influence" your insurance company to let you see a doctor willing to use the newer drugs.
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- August 17, 2012 at 6:32 pm
Thanks for the words of hope and support.
We had heard of both of the drugs you mention and asked the Dr. about them. He said they were unavailable in our area.
I'm hoping that if I can figure out a way to see another Dr., they will be able to find either or both.
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- August 17, 2012 at 1:33 pm
There may be nothing more that dr can do but there’s still plenty that can be done. We left our first dr to get a second opion and my husband is stage 5 and doing well.First there are new drug that were developed last year. Yervoy and zelobraf we have had both and have responded to both. My husband has had 2 gamma knife surgeries, had 4 doses of yervoy and started Zelobraf 6 weeks ago. Scan wed showed a 9 centimeter tumor on kidney gone. Mets in chest cavity barely visible. He also had about 15 knots on skin that we watched shrink and disappear.
God is still in the healing buisness he has not left you are forsaken you. Never ever stop fighting. Many prays and love going your way.
Belva loving wife to Lynn of 32 years
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- August 17, 2012 at 6:15 pm
Good for you for not giving up! There are options, and shoud be persued immediately.UAB Comprehensive Cancer CenterUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamThe Kirklin Clinic, 3rd and 4th Floor2000 6th Avenue SouthBirmingham,AL35233Phone:(205) – 996-7546
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- August 17, 2012 at 6:15 pm
Good for you for not giving up! There are options, and shoud be persued immediately.UAB Comprehensive Cancer CenterUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamThe Kirklin Clinic, 3rd and 4th Floor2000 6th Avenue SouthBirmingham,AL35233Phone:(205) – 996-7546
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- August 17, 2012 at 6:15 pm
Good for you for not giving up! There are options, and shoud be persued immediately.UAB Comprehensive Cancer CenterUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamThe Kirklin Clinic, 3rd and 4th Floor2000 6th Avenue SouthBirmingham,AL35233Phone:(205) – 996-7546
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- August 17, 2012 at 6:25 pm
Thanks to this site, I did find them. Next I have to figure out how to get my insurance to cover going there. The only place they'll cover is the oncologist who said they couldn't do anything more.
We don't have cancer insurance.
How do you fight through all this? There must be a work-around I havn't figured out yet.
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- August 17, 2012 at 6:25 pm
Thanks to this site, I did find them. Next I have to figure out how to get my insurance to cover going there. The only place they'll cover is the oncologist who said they couldn't do anything more.
We don't have cancer insurance.
How do you fight through all this? There must be a work-around I havn't figured out yet.
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- August 17, 2012 at 6:25 pm
Thanks to this site, I did find them. Next I have to figure out how to get my insurance to cover going there. The only place they'll cover is the oncologist who said they couldn't do anything more.
We don't have cancer insurance.
How do you fight through all this? There must be a work-around I havn't figured out yet.
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- August 19, 2012 at 1:43 am
Luckily for you, you live in the U.S. – not just the State of Alabama. There are many options out there, M. D. Anderson in Texas comes readily to mind. But there are also many other facilities – some of which may be able to offer participation in promising clinical trials. Please look into these – geography should not limit your husband's chance of survival.
Best wishes,
Harry
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- August 19, 2012 at 1:43 am
Luckily for you, you live in the U.S. – not just the State of Alabama. There are many options out there, M. D. Anderson in Texas comes readily to mind. But there are also many other facilities – some of which may be able to offer participation in promising clinical trials. Please look into these – geography should not limit your husband's chance of survival.
Best wishes,
Harry
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- August 25, 2012 at 2:21 pm
UAB is not a speciality in MELANOMA ! Please, Please get yourself to MDANDERSON in Houston. You'll be glad you did. We are in MS – we fly there once a month. This is my husbands life. He deserves the best !
It's a short flight for you to go and, at least, get a second opinion from THE GUYS WHO DO MELANOMA ! I wouldn't stay in MS for love nor money for Melly. They do not have the experience, even though we have SOME great healthcare here – UMC where they did the first heart transplant, but this is MELANOMA ! You HAVE TO GO where they DO MELANOMA !
My husband was ned in 7 weeks on Zelboraf ! Please pray about GOING THERE ….
We can give you many tips !
When you're dealing with MELLY and YOUR LIFE – you go to the best of the best ! MDA number one for years !!! There are doctors there who are MARRIED TO MELANOMA !
I can't think of ANYWHERE in AL I would go.
I know I've been storng…….but you need a PUSH to get you to a REAL MELANOMA CENTER !
Pleae update……..
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- August 25, 2012 at 2:21 pm
UAB is not a speciality in MELANOMA ! Please, Please get yourself to MDANDERSON in Houston. You'll be glad you did. We are in MS – we fly there once a month. This is my husbands life. He deserves the best !
It's a short flight for you to go and, at least, get a second opinion from THE GUYS WHO DO MELANOMA ! I wouldn't stay in MS for love nor money for Melly. They do not have the experience, even though we have SOME great healthcare here – UMC where they did the first heart transplant, but this is MELANOMA ! You HAVE TO GO where they DO MELANOMA !
My husband was ned in 7 weeks on Zelboraf ! Please pray about GOING THERE ….
We can give you many tips !
When you're dealing with MELLY and YOUR LIFE – you go to the best of the best ! MDA number one for years !!! There are doctors there who are MARRIED TO MELANOMA !
I can't think of ANYWHERE in AL I would go.
I know I've been storng…….but you need a PUSH to get you to a REAL MELANOMA CENTER !
Pleae update……..
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- August 25, 2012 at 2:21 pm
UAB is not a speciality in MELANOMA ! Please, Please get yourself to MDANDERSON in Houston. You'll be glad you did. We are in MS – we fly there once a month. This is my husbands life. He deserves the best !
It's a short flight for you to go and, at least, get a second opinion from THE GUYS WHO DO MELANOMA ! I wouldn't stay in MS for love nor money for Melly. They do not have the experience, even though we have SOME great healthcare here – UMC where they did the first heart transplant, but this is MELANOMA ! You HAVE TO GO where they DO MELANOMA !
My husband was ned in 7 weeks on Zelboraf ! Please pray about GOING THERE ….
We can give you many tips !
When you're dealing with MELLY and YOUR LIFE – you go to the best of the best ! MDA number one for years !!! There are doctors there who are MARRIED TO MELANOMA !
I can't think of ANYWHERE in AL I would go.
I know I've been storng…….but you need a PUSH to get you to a REAL MELANOMA CENTER !
Pleae update……..
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- August 19, 2012 at 1:43 am
Luckily for you, you live in the U.S. – not just the State of Alabama. There are many options out there, M. D. Anderson in Texas comes readily to mind. But there are also many other facilities – some of which may be able to offer participation in promising clinical trials. Please look into these – geography should not limit your husband's chance of survival.
Best wishes,
Harry
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