melonoma

I'm in Montgomery, AL, so UAB's Kirklan Clinic is the nearest melanoma treatment center.  However, I'm not using them – I'm using a local cancer center.  Because I didn't know any better, when I was diagnosed with my recurrence, I saw a local local oncologist who is not a melanoma specialist (although he trained at UAB).  For me, it was nearly 3 weeks between the time I received my biopsy results and my first appointment with my oncologist.

Much of that time was spent in getting copies of all my medical records to the oncologist (I provided them authorizations and they contacted my various doctors for copies), getting authorization from my insurance for a PET/CT, getting the PET/CT, waiting on THOSE results, etc.  Hopefully UAB is doing something similar. 

One difference I have noticed is that my "general" oncologist absolutely refused to stage me.  My first occurence of melanoma was in 1992 in a mole on my left shoulder blade.  This first re-occurence was in a lymph node in my right axilla.  This was either a recurrence of the melanoma from 1992, or a new occurence with either no known or no new primary.  When I asked him for the staging, the oncologist said that depending on the criteria he used, he could stage it either stage III or stage IV.  Because he didn't want me to get all wrapped up in stages and numbers and survival rates, etc, so he didn't really want to stage my cancer.  We were just going to treate it.  I'm fairly certain if I had seen a melanoma specialist, I would have been staged properly.  When people ask now, I tell them I'm stage III.  I base that on the treatment I received, and because it just sounds better.  I'm NED right now, and I don't consider myself to have been sick enough last year to be stage IV 🙂

I'm in Montgomery, AL, so UAB's Kirklan Clinic is the nearest melanoma treatment center.  However, I'm not using them – I'm using a local cancer center.  Because I didn't know any better, when I was diagnosed with my recurrence, I saw a local local oncologist who is not a melanoma specialist (although he trained at UAB).  For me, it was nearly 3 weeks between the time I received my biopsy results and my first appointment with my oncologist.

Much of that time was spent in getting copies of all my medical records to the oncologist (I provided them authorizations and they contacted my various doctors for copies), getting authorization from my insurance for a PET/CT, getting the PET/CT, waiting on THOSE results, etc.  Hopefully UAB is doing something similar. 

One difference I have noticed is that my "general" oncologist absolutely refused to stage me.  My first occurence of melanoma was in 1992 in a mole on my left shoulder blade.  This first re-occurence was in a lymph node in my right axilla.  This was either a recurrence of the melanoma from 1992, or a new occurence with either no known or no new primary.  When I asked him for the staging, the oncologist said that depending on the criteria he used, he could stage it either stage III or stage IV.  Because he didn't want me to get all wrapped up in stages and numbers and survival rates, etc, so he didn't really want to stage my cancer.  We were just going to treate it.  I'm fairly certain if I had seen a melanoma specialist, I would have been staged properly.  When people ask now, I tell them I'm stage III.  I base that on the treatment I received, and because it just sounds better.  I'm NED right now, and I don't consider myself to have been sick enough last year to be stage IV 🙂

I was seen at the Kirklin Clinic in Birmingham for follow up care.  There is a well respected doc (starts with a U…I called him Dr. BuzzKill)  there that I did not care for at all for many reasons.  Most of all… he flat out missed my recurrence.  I chose to get another opinion by Dr. Seigel who is also at that clinic but an orthopedic and cancer specialist.  It made sense because the recurrence was on my hand.  He was great and just shows that you have to be responsible for yourself.  I see now that his bio does include melanoma; he was not considered a specialist in that area 5 years ago…i didn't care; just wanted the lump to be gone.  Here is a link to his bio:

http://www.uabsos.com/about-siegel/

There is a wonderful derm there in Birminham who sent me to another specialist that I liked, but I can't remember his name as we moved away soon after my first visit with him.  He worked for St. Vincent's.  She was a UAB professor but has her own practice now.  Her name is Julie Harper.

That seems like a long time to wait, but most of the hospitals only have their 'melanoma clinic' one day per week.  If I recall correctly UAB Kirklin see melanoma patients on Thursdays.  Never forget that you can always pester people; it sometimes works.

Good luck to you and take good care!

Kim

Stage 1b, 8/2004

Stage 3b, 4/2006

I was seen at the Kirklin Clinic in Birmingham for follow up care.  There is a well respected doc (starts with a U…I called him Dr. BuzzKill)  there that I did not care for at all for many reasons.  Most of all… he flat out missed my recurrence.  I chose to get another opinion by Dr. Seigel who is also at that clinic but an orthopedic and cancer specialist.  It made sense because the recurrence was on my hand.  He was great and just shows that you have to be responsible for yourself.  I see now that his bio does include melanoma; he was not considered a specialist in that area 5 years ago…i didn't care; just wanted the lump to be gone.  Here is a link to his bio:

http://www.uabsos.com/about-siegel/

There is a wonderful derm there in Birminham who sent me to another specialist that I liked, but I can't remember his name as we moved away soon after my first visit with him.  He worked for St. Vincent's.  She was a UAB professor but has her own practice now.  Her name is Julie Harper.

That seems like a long time to wait, but most of the hospitals only have their 'melanoma clinic' one day per week.  If I recall correctly UAB Kirklin see melanoma patients on Thursdays.  Never forget that you can always pester people; it sometimes works.

Good luck to you and take good care!

Kim

Stage 1b, 8/2004

Stage 3b, 4/2006

Hi Anna,

It seems like a long time, but really, it's less than a month and that's factoring in weekends. Considering there are so few melanoma specialists (relatively speaking) and they are scattered and those are the folks that folks like us want to see, which means their books stay full…not just in office but surgeries and emergencies that have to be worked in,…well, friend, honestly, less than a month is good.

Once you see the specialist, things will start to pick up, and depending on what the spec finds, you may find yourself back on here saying that this is moving at an overwhelming pace and you can't catch your breath. Right now, use this time to rest, eat right, and exercise. Do things that bring you peace and take your mind off this as best as possible so that this doesn't consume you.

Also, keep in mind that at this point, you really don't know anything right now except melanoma was found. Less than a month won't make any noticeable difference in any growth, so don't panic…now I'm taking the word of my specialist on that one…what he told me when I asked similar questions once I got into his hands.

Praying for a good outcome for you Friend.

Lord, in Your mercy. Amen.

Grace and peace,

Carol

Hi Anna,

It seems like a long time, but really, it's less than a month and that's factoring in weekends. Considering there are so few melanoma specialists (relatively speaking) and they are scattered and those are the folks that folks like us want to see, which means their books stay full…not just in office but surgeries and emergencies that have to be worked in,…well, friend, honestly, less than a month is good.

Once you see the specialist, things will start to pick up, and depending on what the spec finds, you may find yourself back on here saying that this is moving at an overwhelming pace and you can't catch your breath. Right now, use this time to rest, eat right, and exercise. Do things that bring you peace and take your mind off this as best as possible so that this doesn't consume you.

Also, keep in mind that at this point, you really don't know anything right now except melanoma was found. Less than a month won't make any noticeable difference in any growth, so don't panic…now I'm taking the word of my specialist on that one…what he told me when I asked similar questions once I got into his hands.

Praying for a good outcome for you Friend.

Lord, in Your mercy. Amen.

Grace and peace,

Carol

I am so sorry for your diagnosis. I was diagnosed December 2009 and still almost cry whenever I walk into a building with "cancer" in the name.

You have come to the right spot, the melanoma warriors here are extremely informed about the disease, treatments and how to LIVE with melanoma. They, we, can be a strength to you.

The time will come soon enough when you are staged and see your 5 year survival chances. DO NOT BELIEVE THEM!!!

EVERY TYPE OF CANCER, AT EVERY STAGE, HAS BEEN SURVIVED. So you, too, can have HOPE of surviving this cancer.

A cancer diagnosis can make you love your family more, spend more time with them, get in touch with your God, make every day special.  Don't let this defeat you, let it make you FIGHTING MAD.

The first word I spoke when I was diagnosed was "sh*t". Then I apologized to the doctor cuz I don't ordinarily cuss. He said not to apologize cuz  the anger will help me in my fight.

Welcome, I am so sorry you are here.

Nicki, Stage 3b, scalp

I am so sorry for your diagnosis. I was diagnosed December 2009 and still almost cry whenever I walk into a building with "cancer" in the name.

You have come to the right spot, the melanoma warriors here are extremely informed about the disease, treatments and how to LIVE with melanoma. They, we, can be a strength to you.

The time will come soon enough when you are staged and see your 5 year survival chances. DO NOT BELIEVE THEM!!!

EVERY TYPE OF CANCER, AT EVERY STAGE, HAS BEEN SURVIVED. So you, too, can have HOPE of surviving this cancer.

A cancer diagnosis can make you love your family more, spend more time with them, get in touch with your God, make every day special.  Don't let this defeat you, let it make you FIGHTING MAD.

The first word I spoke when I was diagnosed was "sh*t". Then I apologized to the doctor cuz I don't ordinarily cuss. He said not to apologize cuz  the anger will help me in my fight.

Welcome, I am so sorry you are here.

Nicki, Stage 3b, scalp