Surgery Set for October 10

Jim has an appointment with head + neck surgeon Steven J. Wang set for October 10. We’ll arrive at 6:00 a.m. to prepare for a 7:30 operation due to last at least 5 hours.

More as it comes in…

Thank you for your words of encouragement.  - Sylvie

15 September, 2008

Jim met with Mohammed Kashani-Sabet, M.D. this morning. After an exam to see if there are any more suspicious-looking moles on Jim’s body (there aren’t), he gave his analysis of Jim’ test results:

→ Stage III Melanoma
→ Lesion .85 mm deep (a thin reading for Melanoma)
→ Spot on lung found (whether cancer-related or not unknown at this time)
→ Activity on left node(s) in neck. (No uptake apparent on MRI scan)
…

Next Steps:
1) Surgically remove cancerous area above right ear. Skin graph probably not necessary.

2) Surgically remove cancer from node(s) on right side of neck. This will reveal how many nodes are affected and will determine whether cancer is stage IIIA, IIIB or IIIC. This information will also inform whether radiation, along with Interferon, will be part of the treatment.

2) Another PET scan will be done (to assess lungs and left neck as well as rest of body). Recovery from surgery can take up to two months.

3) Interferon treatment will begin and lasts about one year.
… 

1:45 p.m.
Met with head + neck surgeon Steven J. Wang in the afternoon to go over surgery details. Will hear from his office by end of day tomorrow to find out when in the next 4 weeks Jim’s surgery will take place.
…

More when I hear from Wang’s office.

-Sylvie

Hello, Jim.

Use the comment button below right to send a quick word to Jim.

Update on appointment with Dr. Kashani

I’ve been phoning Mohammed Kashani-Sabet, M.D. to try to get Jim in sooner than his appointment scheduled for Monday. However, I’ve just learned that the Melanoma Board at UCSF meets every Monday. What this means, according to ENT Michael Shapiro, M.D. is that Jim will be at UCSF for the whole of Monday:
– Meeting in the morning with Dr. Kashani
– In the afternoon the board will review his case
– Jim may meet again with Dr. Kashani after the board meets to review their consensus

It wouldn’t make sense for Jim to go in any sooner than when the board meets. After all, the latest information on approved medicines and experimental treatments for Melanoma are being developed and are available through the board at UCSF. And we want the best minds working with Jim.

We’ll have a lot more information for you by the end of the day Monday. Stay tuned…

with love, Sylvie

Timeline Thus Far

08/26/08
Biopsy on lymph nodes in neck

09/03/08
Michael Shapiro, MD (ENT) gives diagnosis: Melanoma

09/04/08
Dr. Shapiro removes part of skin lesion above right ear for pathologist at Marin General Hospital.
Bring specimen to MGH.
Blood test at MGH.

09/05/08
MRI Brain Scan
MRI Neck Scan
PET full body scan

09/06/08
Blood Test Results:
  -  Excellent. No Melanoma in liver
  -  Specific Diagnosis: Superficial Spreading Melanoma 

09/08/08
MRI Brain Results: Negative. No Melanoma in brain.

09/15/08
9:30 appointment with premier Melanoma Specialist Mohammed Kashani-Sabet, M.D.

Welcome to Counteract

This blog is dedicated to Jim’s recovery from Melanoma. Come here to:

1. Find out where Jim is at on his journey towards healing. Present and upcoming doctor appointments, diagnoses,  and treatments will be available to view. Also, 

2. Check in here to find out how you might pitch in. Once we have a prognosis and a treatment plan, your support will be invaluable.

With love, Sylvie