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Plan of action — doing something always feels better

Forums General Melanoma Community Plan of action — doing something always feels better

  • Post
    Dynasysman
    Participant

      Visited with surgeon today.  For anyone in the expanded Philadelphia area, my surgeon, Giogios Karakousis at Penn, is totally a rock star. Brilliant, great bedside manner, excellent hands as a surgeon. The whole package…

      I digress.  We now have a plan of attack:

      Next Thursday:  PET-CT to check for mets outside the left posterior neck region

      Visited with surgeon today.  For anyone in the expanded Philadelphia area, my surgeon, Giogios Karakousis at Penn, is totally a rock star. Brilliant, great bedside manner, excellent hands as a surgeon. The whole package…

      I digress.  We now have a plan of attack:

      Next Thursday:  PET-CT to check for mets outside the left posterior neck region

      July 18:  Meet with surgeon to plan next steps.  If no mets outside region (or maybe only 1-2 small ones), we remove tumor later that week.  If more growth, we go directly to meeting with ONC and plan for some kind of systemic therapy.

      When we found reference to the tumor on the March PET-CT, it was noted as 8mm.  Two days ago, on ultrasound, they estimated 1cm.  This is a bit like comparing apples and oranges, but 25% growth in four months isn't all that fast…

      I have a plan, I have hope, and I am making a stronger community of support for myself.  Thanks for reading, writing, and hoping along with me.

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    • Replies
        MariaH
        Participant

          I can totally agree with your "doing something" attitude.  For a week I researched all possibilities in regards to Dave's matted nodes, and yet when we got the news that it was melanoma, there was no reaction – no tears, no anger, nothing.  We had prepared for it and were in the mind set of "ok, let's go".  I think the doctor was rather shocked, having us take it so well.

          Into battle we go – we have a plan, and melanoma doesn't have a chance.

            Dynasysman
            Participant
              Amen, Maria. Here’s hoping for strength and good results on your path!
              Dynasysman
              Participant
                Amen, Maria. Here’s hoping for strength and good results on your path!
                Dynasysman
                Participant
                  Amen, Maria. Here’s hoping for strength and good results on your path!
                  Dynasysman
                  Participant
                    Amen, Maria. Here’s hoping for strength and good results on your path!
                  MariaH
                  Participant

                    I can totally agree with your "doing something" attitude.  For a week I researched all possibilities in regards to Dave's matted nodes, and yet when we got the news that it was melanoma, there was no reaction – no tears, no anger, nothing.  We had prepared for it and were in the mind set of "ok, let's go".  I think the doctor was rather shocked, having us take it so well.

                    Into battle we go – we have a plan, and melanoma doesn't have a chance.

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