Dawn

Nicole

I am a mother who lost my daughter at age 10 from melanoma.  She was diagnosed at age eight.  Her melanoma was very rare and presented as a tumor in her brain and central nervous system.  I, as her mother thought I had missed something, a mole somewhere, but after many doctors from MDA and Sloan Kettering and St Judes examined her and all agreed, there was not a spot to find.  Her cancer was rare, but now I fear for my other children.  I know the feeling of looking over your children often and noting every change, wether it is big or small.  I know the fear of watching and waiting and if that is the right decision.   As a parent, it is a different ball game than if you are caring for a spouse…the responsibility is huge.  My seven year old son had a spot on his heel that just appeared.  It was black, round and just there.  I was nervous.  I thought I would wait and watch….but then the brain starts taking you places and I could not wait. I called and got him in immediately.  The derm docs know my daughter's case and they are very good about getting us in and checking the kids.  Trust your instincts.  If you feel stongly about getting it removed, then do it.  Put your mind at ease…sleep a little better.  .I don't ever want to look back and wonder…just .trust yourself. 

Nicole

I am a mother who lost my daughter at age 10 from melanoma.  She was diagnosed at age eight.  Her melanoma was very rare and presented as a tumor in her brain and central nervous system.  I, as her mother thought I had missed something, a mole somewhere, but after many doctors from MDA and Sloan Kettering and St Judes examined her and all agreed, there was not a spot to find.  Her cancer was rare, but now I fear for my other children.  I know the feeling of looking over your children often and noting every change, wether it is big or small.  I know the fear of watching and waiting and if that is the right decision.   As a parent, it is a different ball game than if you are caring for a spouse…the responsibility is huge.  My seven year old son had a spot on his heel that just appeared.  It was black, round and just there.  I was nervous.  I thought I would wait and watch….but then the brain starts taking you places and I could not wait. I called and got him in immediately.  The derm docs know my daughter's case and they are very good about getting us in and checking the kids.  Trust your instincts.  If you feel stongly about getting it removed, then do it.  Put your mind at ease…sleep a little better.  .I don't ever want to look back and wonder…just .trust yourself. 

Nicole

I am a mother who lost my daughter at age 10 from melanoma.  She was diagnosed at age eight.  Her melanoma was very rare and presented as a tumor in her brain and central nervous system.  I, as her mother thought I had missed something, a mole somewhere, but after many doctors from MDA and Sloan Kettering and St Judes examined her and all agreed, there was not a spot to find.  Her cancer was rare, but now I fear for my other children.  I know the feeling of looking over your children often and noting every change, wether it is big or small.  I know the fear of watching and waiting and if that is the right decision.   As a parent, it is a different ball game than if you are caring for a spouse…the responsibility is huge.  My seven year old son had a spot on his heel that just appeared.  It was black, round and just there.  I was nervous.  I thought I would wait and watch….but then the brain starts taking you places and I could not wait. I called and got him in immediately.  The derm docs know my daughter's case and they are very good about getting us in and checking the kids.  Trust your instincts.  If you feel stongly about getting it removed, then do it.  Put your mind at ease…sleep a little better.  .I don't ever want to look back and wonder…just .trust yourself. 

Nicole

I am a mother who lost my daughter at age 10 from melanoma.  She was diagnosed at age eight.  Her melanoma was very rare and presented as a tumor in her brain and central nervous system.  I, as her mother thought I had missed something, a mole somewhere, but after many doctors from MDA and Sloan Kettering and St Judes examined her and all agreed, there was not a spot to find.  Her cancer was rare, but now I fear for my other children.  I know the feeling of looking over your children often and noting every change, wether it is big or small.  I know the fear of watching and waiting and if that is the right decision.   As a parent, it is a different ball game than if you are caring for a spouse…the responsibility is huge.  My seven year old son had a spot on his heel that just appeared.  It was black, round and just there.  I was nervous.  I thought I would wait and watch….but then the brain starts taking you places and I could not wait. I called and got him in immediately.  The derm docs know my daughter's case and they are very good about getting us in and checking the kids.  Trust your instincts.  If you feel stongly about getting it removed, then do it.  Put your mind at ease…sleep a little better.  .I don't ever want to look back and wonder…just .trust yourself. 

Donna

I had to take my nine year old daughter to MDAnderson for a second opinion for melanoma in October.  We don't have a lot of money so I was looking for ways to save money.  We ended up staying about 5 days.  We flew in.  I booked flights on expedia….use any site..they are pretty much the same…but search everyday so you know what the price is and when it goes down you can book it. For transportation from the airport to the hotel,  I got in touch with Houston Ground Angels….check it out on the internet… wonderful, free service from volunteers….and very easy to use.  They pick you up and give you a free ride to your hotel.  We stayed at the MainStay Suites….wasn't probably a 5 star but it was exactly what we needed.  They do provide breakfast  in the morning and shuttle you to and from the clinic.  They also shuttle you anywhere within a 3-4 mile radius and to Hobby if you fly in/out from there.  They best thing is that the rooms are a suite (and not  a bad price either)  I have a friends and family deal with choice hotels and got my room for $50 bucks a night….see if you know anyone that has that and see if they can get you that.  The suites have  a full frig, stove top, dishes, dishwasher….it was perfect.  The hotel shuttle took us to the grocery store so we were able to buy food and make it instead of eating out all the time.  We saved so much money ….the Ground angels, the hotel cost, and the grocery food.  See if any of that works for you.  Good luck witheverything.  We ended up getting treatment at SLoan Kettering in NY, NY but have not ruled out MDAnderson for another phase if needed.  Good luck to you…..Dawn

Donna

I had to take my nine year old daughter to MDAnderson for a second opinion for melanoma in October.  We don't have a lot of money so I was looking for ways to save money.  We ended up staying about 5 days.  We flew in.  I booked flights on expedia….use any site..they are pretty much the same…but search everyday so you know what the price is and when it goes down you can book it. For transportation from the airport to the hotel,  I got in touch with Houston Ground Angels….check it out on the internet… wonderful, free service from volunteers….and very easy to use.  They pick you up and give you a free ride to your hotel.  We stayed at the MainStay Suites….wasn't probably a 5 star but it was exactly what we needed.  They do provide breakfast  in the morning and shuttle you to and from the clinic.  They also shuttle you anywhere within a 3-4 mile radius and to Hobby if you fly in/out from there.  They best thing is that the rooms are a suite (and not  a bad price either)  I have a friends and family deal with choice hotels and got my room for $50 bucks a night….see if you know anyone that has that and see if they can get you that.  The suites have  a full frig, stove top, dishes, dishwasher….it was perfect.  The hotel shuttle took us to the grocery store so we were able to buy food and make it instead of eating out all the time.  We saved so much money ….the Ground angels, the hotel cost, and the grocery food.  See if any of that works for you.  Good luck witheverything.  We ended up getting treatment at SLoan Kettering in NY, NY but have not ruled out MDAnderson for another phase if needed.  Good luck to you…..Dawn

Donna

I had to take my nine year old daughter to MDAnderson for a second opinion for melanoma in October.  We don't have a lot of money so I was looking for ways to save money.  We ended up staying about 5 days.  We flew in.  I booked flights on expedia….use any site..they are pretty much the same…but search everyday so you know what the price is and when it goes down you can book it. For transportation from the airport to the hotel,  I got in touch with Houston Ground Angels….check it out on the internet… wonderful, free service from volunteers….and very easy to use.  They pick you up and give you a free ride to your hotel.  We stayed at the MainStay Suites….wasn't probably a 5 star but it was exactly what we needed.  They do provide breakfast  in the morning and shuttle you to and from the clinic.  They also shuttle you anywhere within a 3-4 mile radius and to Hobby if you fly in/out from there.  They best thing is that the rooms are a suite (and not  a bad price either)  I have a friends and family deal with choice hotels and got my room for $50 bucks a night….see if you know anyone that has that and see if they can get you that.  The suites have  a full frig, stove top, dishes, dishwasher….it was perfect.  The hotel shuttle took us to the grocery store so we were able to buy food and make it instead of eating out all the time.  We saved so much money ….the Ground angels, the hotel cost, and the grocery food.  See if any of that works for you.  Good luck witheverything.  We ended up getting treatment at SLoan Kettering in NY, NY but have not ruled out MDAnderson for another phase if needed.  Good luck to you…..Dawn

Donna

I had to take my nine year old daughter to MDAnderson for a second opinion for melanoma in October.  We don't have a lot of money so I was looking for ways to save money.  We ended up staying about 5 days.  We flew in.  I booked flights on expedia….use any site..they are pretty much the same…but search everyday so you know what the price is and when it goes down you can book it. For transportation from the airport to the hotel,  I got in touch with Houston Ground Angels….check it out on the internet… wonderful, free service from volunteers….and very easy to use.  They pick you up and give you a free ride to your hotel.  We stayed at the MainStay Suites….wasn't probably a 5 star but it was exactly what we needed.  They do provide breakfast  in the morning and shuttle you to and from the clinic.  They also shuttle you anywhere within a 3-4 mile radius and to Hobby if you fly in/out from there.  They best thing is that the rooms are a suite (and not  a bad price either)  I have a friends and family deal with choice hotels and got my room for $50 bucks a night….see if you know anyone that has that and see if they can get you that.  The suites have  a full frig, stove top, dishes, dishwasher….it was perfect.  The hotel shuttle took us to the grocery store so we were able to buy food and make it instead of eating out all the time.  We saved so much money ….the Ground angels, the hotel cost, and the grocery food.  See if any of that works for you.  Good luck witheverything.  We ended up getting treatment at SLoan Kettering in NY, NY but have not ruled out MDAnderson for another phase if needed.  Good luck to you…..Dawn

Hello

I am the mother of the 9 year old diagnosed with melanoma.  Pick yourself up and cherish everyday.  We live for the day and the future. We make plans for the future….she wants to be a school teacher and a mother and we look for the future.  I have been in that sad state but I can't stay there for her or myself.  Yes this is a sad situation and I have cried many tears, but we aren't going to wait for this disease to tell us what we can or can't do….we are going to live and not look back….just forward without reservations.  She made it through her first round of ipi and is wanting to go home…so off we go to be a nine year old and enjoy life.  take care and good luck…I will be watching the blogs to keep up with everyone.  Dawn…mother to Becca…..caringbridge.org…beccaede

Hello

I am the mother of the 9 year old diagnosed with melanoma.  Pick yourself up and cherish everyday.  We live for the day and the future. We make plans for the future….she wants to be a school teacher and a mother and we look for the future.  I have been in that sad state but I can't stay there for her or myself.  Yes this is a sad situation and I have cried many tears, but we aren't going to wait for this disease to tell us what we can or can't do….we are going to live and not look back….just forward without reservations.  She made it through her first round of ipi and is wanting to go home…so off we go to be a nine year old and enjoy life.  take care and good luck…I will be watching the blogs to keep up with everyone.  Dawn…mother to Becca…..caringbridge.org…beccaede

Hello

I am the mother of the 9 year old diagnosed with melanoma.  Pick yourself up and cherish everyday.  We live for the day and the future. We make plans for the future….she wants to be a school teacher and a mother and we look for the future.  I have been in that sad state but I can't stay there for her or myself.  Yes this is a sad situation and I have cried many tears, but we aren't going to wait for this disease to tell us what we can or can't do….we are going to live and not look back….just forward without reservations.  She made it through her first round of ipi and is wanting to go home…so off we go to be a nine year old and enjoy life.  take care and good luck…I will be watching the blogs to keep up with everyone.  Dawn…mother to Becca…..caringbridge.org…beccaede