Fen's Profile

I had breast cancer in 2003 with 2 surgeries and 6 months of chemo and 2 months of radiation. In 2007 I was diagnosed with slow growing lymphoma.

My only symptom was a swollen lymph node in my neck. My ENT, Dr. Ragheb removed it and my parotid gland. The biopsy indicated metastatic melanoma. I went to University Hospitals in Iowa City, IA for follow-up treatment. First met with Dr. Liu in Dermatology to find the primary. Despite much hunting, we never did find it. It is difficult to stage without a primary and the oncologist Dr. Clayman said I was either 3 or 4.

Dr. Kristi Chang in Otolaryngology suggested a complete lymph node dissection (LND) which I had in October 2005. This was followed in November by a PET/CT scan which showed no other areas of concern.

I did 1 month high dose and 6 months low dose interferon under my local oncologist's care. I continue to see Dr. Garneau every 6 months but do not get scans unless there is an issue.