http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/578438

Posted at September 26, 2008 6:17 PM in response to MSNBC Refusing To Run Outside Group's Ad Questioning McCain's Health

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90781894

Not having plastic surgery is 100% consistent with McCain.

There are a million reasons not to vote for McCain. Melanoma is not one of them.

This ad distorts the picture on a topic that affects many people. Spreading fear about it is not constructive.

correction #2: 3 in-situ, and 1 IIa (local invasion) since 1993.

Posted at September 26, 2008 6:13 PM in response to MSNBC Refusing To Run Outside Group's Ad Questioning McCain's Health

last one was in July.
small punch biopsy.
all clear.

Posted at September 26, 2008 4:56 PM in response to MSNBC Refusing To Run Outside Group's Ad Questioning McCain's Health

I don't agree. The implication in the ad is that McCain is sicker than he has led us to believe. That may be true, but not from his melanoma. He had a well documented surgical biopsy, with favorable biology, and follow-ups consistent with no relapse.

That gives him about an 85% five year survival. In cancer terms, that isn't too bad.

Posted at September 26, 2008 4:32 PM in response to MSNBC Refusing To Run Outside Group's Ad Questioning McCain's Health

correction: craft is a dermatologist. My mistake. More of a basic scientist than a clinician, but certainly qualified to discuss melanoma generally.

He still never met McCain, examined McCain or commented on the relevant disease: melanoma IIb (in-situ).

THe other guy is an ED physician.

Posted at September 26, 2008 4:27 PM in response to MSNBC Refusing To Run Outside Group's Ad Questioning McCain's Health

I am glad that the ads are no longer running.

The physicians (were they oncologists? dermatologists?) in the ad made no distinction between melanoma in-situ, and melanoma that has spread to his lymph nodes or other glands. There is a huge difference. And the surgical biopsy from August 2000 showed no spread to his lymph nodes and nor his parotid gland - from where they also took a biopsy. That, plus his lack of recurrence at 8 years since his biopsy puts him in a very favorable category for survival from his melanoma.

McCain has many other areas where he is vulnerable (including his own advanced age - melanoma or not) to good, fair criticism. Scaring people with "he might die of his cancer" because some doctor who has never met McCain, is not an oncologist, nor a dermatologist, says so is not where energy to defeat McCain should go.

I feel very strongly that attacking someone's health without examining them is very irresponsible. See William Frist, M.D. re: Shiavo.

Posted at September 26, 2008 4:18 PM in response to MSNBC Refusing To Run Outside Group's Ad Questioning McCain's Health

I agree 100%.

All appear gracious. Which is why I was confused by not seeing her tonight. I am glad that she put out a statement.

Posted at August 28, 2008 11:58 PM in response to Obama: "I Don't Know What Kind Of Lives McCain Thinks Celebrities Lead"

I heard that while I was writing my last comment. Thanks. That's all I was asking. I think that it is important. Evidently, so did she.

Posted at August 28, 2008 11:43 PM in response to Obama: "I Don't Know What Kind Of Lives McCain Thinks Celebrities Lead"

Like it or not, the mainstream media plays a role here. Why else would the democratic party make such a big deal about Hillary moving for acclimation?

The convention is a TELEVISION PROGRAM. 100% of the events are staged so they play well on the news. That backdrop was no accident. You think those folks up in the third tier could see the Doric Columns?

I pay attention. I know that the democratic party constructed clinton-fest on days 2 and 3 were so that tonight was all about Obama. I think that is the right thing to do. However, the last thing the campaign needs is the talking heads to be asking where Hillary was.

Don't be so naive.

Posted at August 28, 2008 11:41 PM in response to Obama: "I Don't Know What Kind Of Lives McCain Thinks Celebrities Lead"

funny, the rest of the convention was a clinton-fest. Did you miss the first 3 days of the convention?

Posted at August 28, 2008 11:20 PM in response to Obama: "I Don't Know What Kind Of Lives McCain Thinks Celebrities Lead"