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
3 responses so far ↓
tsquest // September 16, 2008 at 4:05 am
Thank you Sylvie for updating us!
Jim you are in my thoughts! Hang tough, my friend. And go get your giggles on!!
T
saronian // September 16, 2008 at 5:36 am
Sounds like a full day, probably both emotional and exhausting. Having a plan in place should provide some relief, although I suppose the anxiety is overwhelming. I hope you will stay strong until the first surgery, we’ll be thinking about you every day.
Rebeca & Scott
shirin08 // September 16, 2008 at 6:56 am
Thanks Sylvie and Jim for the update. I know it’s going to be more news by tomorrow night but just wanted to let you know you are in our thoughts. Be strong as it is the most important part of the treatment. We love you so much and can’t wait to see you happy again!!
Shirin