Andrew Langsford

thanks for the help

The oncologists  have seen are the melanoma specialists in their cancer agencies. That is Calgary and Vancouver. The consensus between them is the initial round of DTIC then start on the ipi. Which comes to my first question as the one doctor said that a couple rounds of DTIC will reveal whether that will work for me. Then the ipi for 3 rounds will reveal if it is effective.  

Ipi is just available for compassionate care in Canada and hasn't yet been passed as primary care yet. I have not heard of the drug combos available here yet,  that you folks are receiving in trials in the US.

I am hoping that the next doctor I see next week will take more time with me and be more progressive as he is not tied to an agency with thousands of patients.

thanks for the help

The oncologists  have seen are the melanoma specialists in their cancer agencies. That is Calgary and Vancouver. The consensus between them is the initial round of DTIC then start on the ipi. Which comes to my first question as the one doctor said that a couple rounds of DTIC will reveal whether that will work for me. Then the ipi for 3 rounds will reveal if it is effective.  

Ipi is just available for compassionate care in Canada and hasn't yet been passed as primary care yet. I have not heard of the drug combos available here yet,  that you folks are receiving in trials in the US.

I am hoping that the next doctor I see next week will take more time with me and be more progressive as he is not tied to an agency with thousands of patients.

Thanks for the replies. I guess I was vague in my post. I was diagnosed in March 2009. After the primary was removed I had a the sentinal biopsy which revealed 50% melanoma in the nodes selected. I received the results while overseas working. I came home in August and had another surgery in Sept 09 to remove all infected nodes from the area of my left armpit. that turned out to be 27 nodes. I refused radiation at the time and chose to carry out my healing with a more holistic approach, through a drastic diet change to all organic with no sugar, no mammal meat or poultry, no gluten, and no dairy. In the spring of 2010 I could feel that something was happening in my surgery area. For the first time it showed up on the Pet Scan in the armpit and some in between my minor and major pec muscle. An aggressive surgery followed with the skin being removed and lots of removal of nerves, muscle and connective tissue. They cut a large piece off my leg called a flap and attached it under my arm to replace the area removed. I went to work, (and still am) regaining use of that arm and shoulder. I also spoke with a very wise and successful healer, and integrated doctor in Vancouver. He connected me with a radiologist who has a more understanding approach to melanoma, that was in July 2010.

My recent pet scan showed more spreading and official Stage IV status. With some showing up in my liver. I still have a hard time with the low success drugs, vrs the damage they do to your body's own healing system. I have seen 2 surgical oncologists that specialize in melanoma, and 2 medical oncologists. I am getting a referrel to another integrated oncologist who has had many successful stories of stage IV patients using both methods of healing. A combination of IV vitamin C  and chemo has yielded great results with high success rates and minimal side effects. I think that will be the road I try with DTIC and then maybe the ipi .

 Thanks

Andrew

Thanks for the replies. I guess I was vague in my post. I was diagnosed in March 2009. After the primary was removed I had a the sentinal biopsy which revealed 50% melanoma in the nodes selected. I received the results while overseas working. I came home in August and had another surgery in Sept 09 to remove all infected nodes from the area of my left armpit. that turned out to be 27 nodes. I refused radiation at the time and chose to carry out my healing with a more holistic approach, through a drastic diet change to all organic with no sugar, no mammal meat or poultry, no gluten, and no dairy. In the spring of 2010 I could feel that something was happening in my surgery area. For the first time it showed up on the Pet Scan in the armpit and some in between my minor and major pec muscle. An aggressive surgery followed with the skin being removed and lots of removal of nerves, muscle and connective tissue. They cut a large piece off my leg called a flap and attached it under my arm to replace the area removed. I went to work, (and still am) regaining use of that arm and shoulder. I also spoke with a very wise and successful healer, and integrated doctor in Vancouver. He connected me with a radiologist who has a more understanding approach to melanoma, that was in July 2010.

My recent pet scan showed more spreading and official Stage IV status. With some showing up in my liver. I still have a hard time with the low success drugs, vrs the damage they do to your body's own healing system. I have seen 2 surgical oncologists that specialize in melanoma, and 2 medical oncologists. I am getting a referrel to another integrated oncologist who has had many successful stories of stage IV patients using both methods of healing. A combination of IV vitamin C  and chemo has yielded great results with high success rates and minimal side effects. I think that will be the road I try with DTIC and then maybe the ipi .

 Thanks

Andrew