TTaylor

Rick,

Thank you for the feedback. Where is NIH located? Also, if you don't mind me asking, did you have metastatic melanoma and if so, where was it located? 

Thanks again,

Tonya

Rick,

Thank you for the feedback. Where is NIH located? Also, if you don't mind me asking, did you have metastatic melanoma and if so, where was it located? 

Thanks again,

Tonya

Please bear with me as I'm very much a novice on the subject matter –

2008 malignant skin cancer diagnosed on back of left leg by dermatologist.  Surgically removed. 

2010 mammogram showed a spot but was thought to be just a cyst so no action taken (mistake!)

2011 April – mammogram uncovered prior spot had increased in size so sent for ultrasound/biopsy.  Determination metastatic melanoma. 

2011 May – Pet Scan/ Brain CT/ chest xrays confirmed melanoma had spread from original site on leg to 4 areas:  right breast, soft tissue in lower pelvic area, upper left buttock, and 1 barely visable spot in one of her lungs.

Weds, May 18 – We have a follow up appt with the Oncologist, Dr Ayrons.  At our consultation last Thursday, he initially spoke of 2 possible courses of action:  Clinical trial (Carolinas Medical in Charlotte with a Dr White?) or possibly the newly approved Ipilimumab… but was careful to say he wanted to first research both options over the weekend, speak to Dr White about the trial to see if mom was even a candidate and present her case to the "Tumor Board" Weds morning. 

My mother has no other illnesses and is in good health for a 69 year old female.

She has recently (over the last 2 weeks) complained of waves of nausea upon waking and early evening.  She also has some soreness in her lower abdomen (she described as similiar to menstrual cramps).  When relayed to oncologist, he attributed to anxiety and prescribed her pain medicine & nausea medicine for the short term.

This is the point we are at….. hope this helps.

Thanks!

Tonya

Please bear with me as I'm very much a novice on the subject matter –

2008 malignant skin cancer diagnosed on back of left leg by dermatologist.  Surgically removed. 

2010 mammogram showed a spot but was thought to be just a cyst so no action taken (mistake!)

2011 April – mammogram uncovered prior spot had increased in size so sent for ultrasound/biopsy.  Determination metastatic melanoma. 

2011 May – Pet Scan/ Brain CT/ chest xrays confirmed melanoma had spread from original site on leg to 4 areas:  right breast, soft tissue in lower pelvic area, upper left buttock, and 1 barely visable spot in one of her lungs.

Weds, May 18 – We have a follow up appt with the Oncologist, Dr Ayrons.  At our consultation last Thursday, he initially spoke of 2 possible courses of action:  Clinical trial (Carolinas Medical in Charlotte with a Dr White?) or possibly the newly approved Ipilimumab… but was careful to say he wanted to first research both options over the weekend, speak to Dr White about the trial to see if mom was even a candidate and present her case to the "Tumor Board" Weds morning. 

My mother has no other illnesses and is in good health for a 69 year old female.

She has recently (over the last 2 weeks) complained of waves of nausea upon waking and early evening.  She also has some soreness in her lower abdomen (she described as similiar to menstrual cramps).  When relayed to oncologist, he attributed to anxiety and prescribed her pain medicine & nausea medicine for the short term.

This is the point we are at….. hope this helps.

Thanks!

Tonya

Please bear with me as I'm very much a novice on the subject matter –

2008 malignant skin cancer diagnosed on back of left leg by dermatologist.  Surgically removed. 

2010 mammogram showed a spot but was thought to be just a cyst so no action taken (mistake!)

2011 April – mammogram uncovered prior spot had increased in size so sent for ultrasound/biopsy.  Determination metastatic melanoma. 

2011 May – Pet Scan/ Brain CT/ chest xrays confirmed melanoma had spread from original site on leg to 4 areas:  right breast, soft tissue in lower pelvic area, upper left buttock, and 1 barely visable spot in one of her lungs.

Weds, May 18 – We have a follow up appt with the Oncologist, Dr Ayrons.  At our consultation last Thursday, he initially spoke of 2 possible courses of action:  Clinical trial (Carolinas Medical in Charlotte with a Dr White?) or possibly the newly approved Ipilimumab… but was careful to say he wanted to first research both options over the weekend, speak to Dr White about the trial to see if mom was even a candidate and present her case to the "Tumor Board" Weds morning. 

My mother has no other illnesses and is in good health for a 69 year old female.

She has recently (over the last 2 weeks) complained of waves of nausea upon waking and early evening.  She also has some soreness in her lower abdomen (she described as similiar to menstrual cramps).  When relayed to oncologist, he attributed to anxiety and prescribed her pain medicine & nausea medicine for the short term.

This is the point we are at….. hope this helps.

Thanks!

Tonya

Please bear with me as I'm very much a novice on the subject matter –

2008 malignant skin cancer diagnosed on back of left leg by dermatologist.  Surgically removed. 

2010 mammogram showed a spot but was thought to be just a cyst so no action taken (mistake!)

2011 April – mammogram uncovered prior spot had increased in size so sent for ultrasound/biopsy.  Determination metastatic melanoma. 

2011 May – Pet Scan/ Brain CT/ chest xrays confirmed melanoma had spread from original site on leg to 4 areas:  right breast, soft tissue in lower pelvic area, upper left buttock, and 1 barely visable spot in one of her lungs.

Weds, May 18 – We have a follow up appt with the Oncologist, Dr Ayrons.  At our consultation last Thursday, he initially spoke of 2 possible courses of action:  Clinical trial (Carolinas Medical in Charlotte with a Dr White?) or possibly the newly approved Ipilimumab… but was careful to say he wanted to first research both options over the weekend, speak to Dr White about the trial to see if mom was even a candidate and present her case to the "Tumor Board" Weds morning. 

My mother has no other illnesses and is in good health for a 69 year old female.

She has recently (over the last 2 weeks) complained of waves of nausea upon waking and early evening.  She also has some soreness in her lower abdomen (she described as similiar to menstrual cramps).  When relayed to oncologist, he attributed to anxiety and prescribed her pain medicine & nausea medicine for the short term.

This is the point we are at….. hope this helps.

Thanks!

Tonya

Good point Jerry.  My mom lives in Gastonia, NC. Outside Charlotte, NC.  We also have family in Alabama.  I have seen comments about University of Alabama – Birmingham Cancer Ctr & Duke in NC. 

Good point Jerry.  My mom lives in Gastonia, NC. Outside Charlotte, NC.  We also have family in Alabama.  I have seen comments about University of Alabama – Birmingham Cancer Ctr & Duke in NC. 

Good point Jerry.  My mom lives in Gastonia, NC. Outside Charlotte, NC.  We also have family in Alabama.  I have seen comments about University of Alabama – Birmingham Cancer Ctr & Duke in NC. 

Good point Jerry.  My mom lives in Gastonia, NC. Outside Charlotte, NC.  We also have family in Alabama.  I have seen comments about University of Alabama – Birmingham Cancer Ctr & Duke in NC. 

Lori,

Thank you so much for your reply.  We're from a small town in NC so I knew when we got the diagnosis this week that I had to locate the best center for her as resources are some what limited in our hometown. I am learning – researching, asking questions, scouring websites, forums, boards, etc. to be the best patient advocate I can for my mom… as I'm sure it is with your mother, my mom is everything to me.    

Again, thank you.

Tonya

Lori,

Thank you so much for your reply.  We're from a small town in NC so I knew when we got the diagnosis this week that I had to locate the best center for her as resources are some what limited in our hometown. I am learning – researching, asking questions, scouring websites, forums, boards, etc. to be the best patient advocate I can for my mom… as I'm sure it is with your mother, my mom is everything to me.    

Again, thank you.

Tonya