Hi Desiree,

Guess what. Dr Chalian is my surgeon and I highly recommend him as a surgeon. I said no scars and he somehow did a left neck dissection and a total laryngectomy on me, and other than this hole in my neck, you can hardly see I was operated on.

I'm a little surprised that your appointment is on a Monday. Normally new patients are seen on Thursday when the entire cancer board meets and you get the 35 doctors, mostly interns, looking down your throat. However, take whatever appointment you can get. They will probably bring you back for a Thursday consult if there is time.

Take all your medical records and films with you if you can. Do NOT rely on your hosiptal to send them. I wasn't that smart the first time and it wound up delaying things another 2 weeks.

What time is your appt. - all Monday appointments in the afternoon tend to run about 1-2 hours late. Have a written list of questions but try to keep them succinct. Take at least one person who listens with you(my husband doesn't listen well) who can take notes. Too bad my appointment is on the 9th, or i would meet you down there.

Good luck and I hope you like Dr. Chalian. Remember, he is a surgeon so when he thinks treatment options, he is thinking surgery. If you want if there are other options and what the risks are, ask him.

Let us know how it goes.

Good luck,
Eileen