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Melanoma specialist in st Louis area ???

Forums General Melanoma Community Melanoma specialist in st Louis area ???

  • Post
    stevecathy
    Participant
      Thinking of a second opinion. My husband is currently seen at ctca in zion. He has been on mek/taf combo for about 8 months . We have had ups and downs with side effects. Now he is having double vision. He has had 4 infusions of yerovoy, but then had Mets in transit so they immediately started combo. Just looking for possible 2nd opinion. We are in central Illinois so st. Louis or Chicago??? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you
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    • Replies
        jamieth29
        Participant
          When I was diagnosed I also went to ctca in Zion. Although they were ok they really gave me no options after being diagnosed 3c. Yervoy was not approved yet and the doctor wouldn’t even ask insurance to try. My local doctor asked and my insurance said yes. Ctca does not have a dedicated melanoma specialist. If you can university of chicago has 2 great doctors that only deal with melanoma and a lot of research and trials. My doctor Jason Luke and Thomas Gajeski
          jamieth29
          Participant
            When I was diagnosed I also went to ctca in Zion. Although they were ok they really gave me no options after being diagnosed 3c. Yervoy was not approved yet and the doctor wouldn’t even ask insurance to try. My local doctor asked and my insurance said yes. Ctca does not have a dedicated melanoma specialist. If you can university of chicago has 2 great doctors that only deal with melanoma and a lot of research and trials. My doctor Jason Luke and Thomas Gajeski
              stevecathy
              Participant
                Thank you for advice . I’m curious though , my husband started with ctca in Aug 2015 and they began yerovoy, stage 3a . Wondering why they wouldn’t do that in April?
                jamieth29
                Participant
                  Only because it wasn’t fda approved yet. The Dr told me my insurance would not approve it and she wold not ask. She only offered me interferon. When I told her I was not interested in that route because I knew the stats she suggested I look for a clinical trial elsewhere. She did leave me a message after it was approved offering it to me. I didn’t realize how different a melanoma specialist was until I talked with Dr Luke in Chicago. He was way over my head. Although I don’t want to bad mouth ctca I feel my treatment by the oncologist was bad. She could of asked my insurance and that was all it took. Like I said my local doctor asked in June still before fda approval and used trial evidence to support it and insurance approved it. I felt like they brushed me out the door after my clnd.
                  jamieth29
                  Participant
                    I highly suggest getting a 2nd opinion from a center of excellence. A dedicated doc that only treats mel. Nothing wrong with another opinion. You may stay with ctca suggestions but another set of eyes is always a good idea.
                    jamieth29
                    Participant
                      I highly suggest getting a 2nd opinion from a center of excellence. A dedicated doc that only treats mel. Nothing wrong with another opinion. You may stay with ctca suggestions but another set of eyes is always a good idea.
                      jamieth29
                      Participant
                        I highly suggest getting a 2nd opinion from a center of excellence. A dedicated doc that only treats mel. Nothing wrong with another opinion. You may stay with ctca suggestions but another set of eyes is always a good idea.
                        stevecathy
                        Participant
                          Thank you Jamie . I have been wanting to look at other opinion. I appreciate your reply , thank you that . I am going to call about a 2nd option. Thank you again, you are very helpful . Thank you and blessings to you!!
                          stevecathy
                          Participant
                            Thank you Jamie . I have been wanting to look at other opinion. I appreciate your reply , thank you that . I am going to call about a 2nd option. Thank you again, you are very helpful . Thank you and blessings to you!!
                            Beth606
                            Participant

                              Dr. Lynn Cornelius at BJC – she is a world renknowned specialist, very easy to get into. Google her, call the office and you will have an appointment in about 2-3 weeks. 

                              Beth606
                              Participant

                                Dr. Lynn Cornelius at BJC – she is a world renknowned specialist, very easy to get into. Google her, call the office and you will have an appointment in about 2-3 weeks. 

                                Beth606
                                Participant

                                  Dr. Lynn Cornelius at BJC – she is a world renknowned specialist, very easy to get into. Google her, call the office and you will have an appointment in about 2-3 weeks. 

                                  stevecathy
                                  Participant
                                    Thank you Jamie . I have been wanting to look at other opinion. I appreciate your reply , thank you that . I am going to call about a 2nd option. Thank you again, you are very helpful . Thank you and blessings to you!!
                                    jamieth29
                                    Participant
                                      Only because it wasn’t fda approved yet. The Dr told me my insurance would not approve it and she wold not ask. She only offered me interferon. When I told her I was not interested in that route because I knew the stats she suggested I look for a clinical trial elsewhere. She did leave me a message after it was approved offering it to me. I didn’t realize how different a melanoma specialist was until I talked with Dr Luke in Chicago. He was way over my head. Although I don’t want to bad mouth ctca I feel my treatment by the oncologist was bad. She could of asked my insurance and that was all it took. Like I said my local doctor asked in June still before fda approval and used trial evidence to support it and insurance approved it. I felt like they brushed me out the door after my clnd.
                                      jamieth29
                                      Participant
                                        Only because it wasn’t fda approved yet. The Dr told me my insurance would not approve it and she wold not ask. She only offered me interferon. When I told her I was not interested in that route because I knew the stats she suggested I look for a clinical trial elsewhere. She did leave me a message after it was approved offering it to me. I didn’t realize how different a melanoma specialist was until I talked with Dr Luke in Chicago. He was way over my head. Although I don’t want to bad mouth ctca I feel my treatment by the oncologist was bad. She could of asked my insurance and that was all it took. Like I said my local doctor asked in June still before fda approval and used trial evidence to support it and insurance approved it. I felt like they brushed me out the door after my clnd.
                                        stevecathy
                                        Participant
                                          Thank you for advice . I’m curious though , my husband started with ctca in Aug 2015 and they began yerovoy, stage 3a . Wondering why they wouldn’t do that in April?
                                          stevecathy
                                          Participant
                                            Thank you for advice . I’m curious though , my husband started with ctca in Aug 2015 and they began yerovoy, stage 3a . Wondering why they wouldn’t do that in April?
                                          jamieth29
                                          Participant
                                            When I was diagnosed I also went to ctca in Zion. Although they were ok they really gave me no options after being diagnosed 3c. Yervoy was not approved yet and the doctor wouldn’t even ask insurance to try. My local doctor asked and my insurance said yes. Ctca does not have a dedicated melanoma specialist. If you can university of chicago has 2 great doctors that only deal with melanoma and a lot of research and trials. My doctor Jason Luke and Thomas Gajeski
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