A couple of you wished me well and I can't find those threads. The prayer thread explains what happened and I thank the well wishers. God Bless You.
No Cancer After All
Fantasic news!!!! still got some stuff to deal with it looks like but we are still here for ya!!
Prayer does change things ..
That's wonderful! Welcome back to the world of the "living"! Now you can put all the fears away.
I'm talking to a surgeon for a double mastectomy as that will
remove two precancerious areas. The most important area
remains obscured by the hematoma left after the biopsy 3/9.
MDA wants to scan that area mid June when the hematoma
from the 3/9 biopsy dissolves then let the cancer dr's
discuss what to do; likely more frequent mamo and scans and
a med daily for five years.
We have terrible insurance since DH is self employed. Our premiums have risen as much as 75% and that's w/o fileing any claims. They will drop me unless President Obama's health care plan kicks in on time. Our deductable is 10k and our insurance drops us in 6 months.
My decision making is urgent not b/c of the precancerous area but b/c our health care system needs to be improved.
And THANK YOU blkraven2 and Annette_M for your prayers and well
wishes. You're most appreciated!
Antiquedrose ~ that is wonderful news. In '85 I had a large precancerous mass removed and have had no recurrence. Are your genetics predisposed to breast cancer? That is usually why they are willing to do a full masectomy.
We have self employed insurance also. It is primarily good for catestrophic coverage only. When used, our out of pocket expenses have been phenominal. DH has used it extensively since 2000 and I have found the following:
#1 they cannot and will not cancel you unless you default in making the premiums
#2 insurance premiums increase routinely as we age and as their medicals costs increase.
#3 this doesn't negate them raising the premium amounts however. As a result of DHs' health issues, his premiums went to almost $1,000 monthly while mine remain under $300 and that is a bare bones policy.
#4 the various health care systems will accept payments on the amounts owed or will negotiate a reduced balance (by up to 2/3rds) if you are able to pay in full.
#5 unpaid or late payments of medical bills may be turned over to collection agencies for payment and it does not affect your credit rating.
#6 we have also found that if elective surgery is necessary, the major hospitals have a certain dollar amount of "charity" work they will do. These funds are available at the first of each year. In our case, with health insurance, Methodist in Houston accepted the insurance amounts, waiving the deductibles, copays, etc. for a needed surgery. Just be sure to specify the anesthesiologists, etc accept the insurance or you will end up owing them. On hands experience there too.
There are lots of options out there. Talk to them in advance. It will probably surprise you. I believe the health care system is not broken. The problem is the cost has been correlated with liability costs and with the indigent costs. Medical costs and insurance fees are directly correlated with those that are unable to pay their medical costs. One way or the other we all pay for it. You are fortunate to be able to maintain an insurance policy. In our experience, the advantage of having an insurance policy (regardless of coverage). It gets you in the door. Been there, done that.
I feel the decision you make should not be urgent but researched thoroughly. It should not be based on financial at all and that is speaking with much experience. Glad to hear from you and still keeping you and your loved ones in thoughts and prayers.
This message was edited Mar 29, 2010 8:04 AM
pod gave you some very accurate and good advice.. I was hurt 5 yrs agao and had medical bills of more than a million dollars I had no insurance when I got hurt..the drs will work with you when it comes to payment even if its only 10.00 a month it shows good faith and they wil ltake it..
What I found most important is NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THE BILLS.. it will slow down your recovery and after all they cant get water from a stone.. Worring wont change anything and the Lord will provide in ways you cant believe when you least expect it.. so keep your chin up!! ...if it gets to much let us know we are a great support systemcause weve been there
Whew! Way to go to dodge that bullet! Be sure to get a second opinion. Man...this makes me appreciate my insurance...it's a blessing and a good one! Haven't always had any. It's sad what people face when major things come along and hard decisions have to be made.
I feel for you. We've just found out that even though we have good medical coverage with a "max out of pocket" amount of 3000 per person annually, that out of pocket doesn't really mean what it says. It does not include co-pays to doctors, prescription costs, deductibles, etc. On our 3000 max, we've already paid 6000 so far this year. Our co-pay to M.D. Anderson alone is 7000 a month. The chemo my husband is on is 29,000 a month and one pill prescription is $1564 for two weeks worth. It's scary enough for us with insurance and I can't imagine how horrible dealing with this would be without insurance of any kind.
Antiquedrose, I don't know if you have family in the Houston area or not, but if you need a place to stay overnight while coming for tests and such, just let me know. I'm at M.D. Anderson multiple times a week so I can do taxi service if needed too, depending on how DH is doing that week with his chemo. I'm glad your prognosis was so positive.
Crow
Aw shoot Crow, now I feel bad! I posted because I hate to see anyone make critical health care decisions (or no decision at all) based on finances. Now I need to go dig that cancer insurance application out of the trash.
Here's hoping your husbands journey thru MDA will be short and successful also. Hang in there... pod
Thanks Pod, but don't feel bad. If anyone with this horrible disease can be considered "fortunate" we are in that we live in Houston where there is the very best in cancer treatment and also that we have good insurance. Luckily, my DH's policy through his work just changed the lifetime limit to 3,000,000 rather than the 1,000,000 that is pretty standard. Our out of pockets are still horrible, but so far we're managing. I just feel so bad for the thousands of people who have this and don't have a support system, don't have any savings safety net and no insurance to boot. I had to take classes to tend my husband's permanent Central Venous Catheter where the chemo is injected. One poor lady in that class didn't know she needed the classes until the last minute and had to change her flight home to Oklahoma in order to attend. Once she was in the class, she realized she couldn't do the needed injections, bandage and valve changes by herself. It's physically impossible to do, and she had no one who could help her once she got home. How on earth would you deal with that situation? Some of this stuff has to be done daily, so it's a problem. Our prognosis isn't nearly so positive but we're coping. We were told 12 months life span back in early November. We're both trying to stay as positive as we can and hoping for the best, but it's looking pretty bleak right now.
Sorry to be such a downer, but just wanted antiquedrose to know she could count on me/us for a place to stay if needed. Us east Texas gals have to stick together :)
Crow
I consider us fortunate too as with the insurance, my husband received excellent medical care rather than being sent to less skilled facility. I met good folks in the ICU waiting rooms offering their homes as did a few of our customers that lived in the Houston metro area. Even tho I didn't take them up on their offers, I appreciated the generousity at that time more than anyone could imagine. Folks are amazed when I tell them how kind and generous people were there.
On the million dollar ceiling, I held my breath for ten years till DH turned 65. He used the better part of it. To show how ignorant we were prior to that, I didn't even realize they limited policies.
Bless you for your generousity during this trying time.
Oh, my goodness. We too have insurance problems, being self-employed. My dh is covered by the VA, but my son and I have one of those awful private policies.
My prayers for all of you.
Crow, I've thought of you and your DH many times as I know you are in a very difficult fight. You still remain positive in your various postings and your attitude is amazing, considering the stress and I admire that.
Then to offer me your home is way over the top generous!! Bless you and many thanks. It looks like that won't be necessary at this point and maybe never. I will mention your situation in my bible study for prayer if that's okay with you.
We have two couples from Galveston and I could have stayed with them and one of them was planning to drive me in daily if necessary.
Important Edit: My DH says Podster was correct in that we cannot be dropped coverage for my breast issues as long as we pay on time, but in the past they've priced us out of the market by raising our premium 75% a year and we hadn't filed a single claim. Nice huh ? Really fair.
I don't know if I'm genetically prone as the BRAC1 or BRAC2 test has not been offered.
Health care access and affordability is shocking in it's inadequacy. That's why I've donated money to www.freeclinics.us, and just today sent President Obama money as he valiently tries to help so many of us who are hurting out here.
Thank you everybody for your posting. I'm especially going to try Podsters #4 suggestion, at least I think that's the one, to negiotate payment downward by paying cash. A 2/3 drop in charges would be really, really nice.
I've known so many people left with budget breaking medical bills (unless you make Oprah money) that have to worry and deal with that along with the illness. Only Zen type of people, or a stronger trusting Christian than myself can handle that. I know some of you are like that on this thread and I know I must trust and continue with the task at hand. It's a work in progress.
The breast area MDA is most concerned with could not be visualized b/c of a giant hemtatoma left by the biopsy 3/9. So I go back to MDA for another scan in June. I'll continue to accept prayers if you're so inclined.
Crow, I'll send you my appt date by dmail once I get it and if we're both at MDA at the same time, maybe we can meet, we'll go where you and your DH are.
And blkraven2 and Podster, maybe we can meet at Starbuck in Nac or an area closer to Podster and visit over coffee. Anyone else is certainly welcome.
This message was edited Mar 31, 2010 8:53 AM
This message was edited Mar 31, 2010 9:45 AM
I'll only type on davesgarden on my computer form here on out, as my phone is creating typos, then tries to copy them, rather than fix them.
Thanks for your patience.
This message was edited Mar 31, 2010 8:12 AM
Please let me commet on the poor lady from OK who was overwhelmed by using the port and having a difficult time.
The scare that affects the patients or potential patients does a number on your head. It affects caretakers also as adjustments are made to the news and the new tasks. I hope help comes for the family in OK. It's true, people can come out of the woodwork to help as they hear about the problem.
I worked as Pedi Onc RN for many years and injected too many ports to count. I was still concerned about possibly getting one and having my DH deal with it. Although he would be capable, I'm afraid I'd be watching his technique like a hawk as it really has to be done correctly to prevent complications. But it's easy once you're taught.
Okay, I just got off the phone with my surgeon's office for a bilateral mastectomy and they told me what lots of us already know, ins co's will do anything possible to deny coverage, so if I have to go it alone w/o ins help WHICH WE PAY THEM BIG BUCKS FOR, then negiotating a lower price will be a necessity.
when ever youd feel up to it Id love to meet for coffee in Nac.. just let me know when...
speaking from experience I stressed majorly while recovering.. I was very seriously injured and at one point the drs didnt think I was going to make it thats how badly I was hurt.. my words of wisdom.... dont worry about the bills.. honest.. they will get taken care of even if you dont see how they will.. take each day as it comes and do what you can.. then let it go.. if its a bad day, okay its a bad day.. you can try to do what you can tommorrow.. I spent alot of down time in bed thinking and stressing cause thats all I could do till the light bulb went off and I realized I had to let it go.. after that my recovery increased..
I have always paid my bills on time and in full so this was quite the eye opening experience for me.. youll be okay.. People are kind and they want to help others more than you know. By accepting their help (which can be really hard) youre helping them. so if someone offers help and you need it, take it and say thank you.. they wouldnt offer if they didnt want to..
sending hugs
What with jumping back and forth between here and the new site I see I have missed a lot. Other than crow, I didn't know of the problems my friends are facing. Will pray for strength and peace of mind as each of you go down this road. Each one is right about not worrying about the bills. Just do what is necessary to repair your health and let the rest take care of itself. Although I have always paid every bill on time, today's health market doesn't seem to follow the lines of financial responsibility. I voted for Obama and the health bill is too complicated for even my doctor to understand. We will each just have to deal with it as our time comes along. Reaching 65 has probably saved us. Although medicare is not free and neither is the medigap, between the two we have been able to keep our heads above water. Health care should not be rationed. The hypocratic oath should be burned into the forehead of every insurance executive, not the dollar signs they now worship. Oh how I pray this new Health Care Bill works.
Amen and Amen Lou C!
blkraven2, I can meet at Starbucks most anytime. Let's give Podster a little time to see if she wants to join us. If she misses this thread or doesn't want to, we'll just plan it ourselves. I usually go into Nac Wed and Thurs mornings. I love your perspective and would love to hear more of what you'd have to say.
Look forward to meeting you soon.
cool beans!!! just let me know when..
Maybe next Wed or Thursday. My bible study is Wed 9-11:30
and Thursday is my Emmeaus meeting 8:30-10:00
I'll happily work around what you're doing also.
Later!
Ill be having company next week so its out but Im good the following wed or thursday if it works for you.. you pick the day..
The following week works for me and how about we meet for coffee @ 08:15 or tea @ noon on Wednesday the 14th?
Im not a morning person, unless like tonight when my insomnia is acting up...lol..so tea at noon sounds great.. where would you like to meet at???
How about for tea then at Starbucks across from the University on North St.? You need to have lowered expectations about me; I'm plain, a dullard and forgetful as all get out. But you seem pretty cool!
I ran out to take a pic of one of my black ravens standing sentry on each gate post at the driveway. While doing so, I heard water running I'd meant to leave under a plant 2 hours and it ran all afternoon and night. Got watered pretty good.
If this pic has is no good I have one more to post.
wow I love it!!!! Blkraven is my biker name...lol..many think I have black hair before they meet me which I dont...lol..
that sounds great. I marked the calender for it.. will anyone else be joining us??? ..... may be if we have the time we can hit Ruby Mize for a walk...I enjoy seeing it but its more fun to share it with someone who gets excited about the same things...lol..
actually I lead a very quiet life..I rarely leave home except to go riding and have made just a few good friends since I moved here to Wells in June of 07and most of them are in Nac. Im considered a bit strange and a Yankee by many around here and they dont want to have anything to do with me.. oh well I say to them....lol..Im home so much Im beginning to forget how to act out in public so slap me if I get out of hand...( Im teasing)...... I keep myself entertained with my garden, animals and art work..so see Im boring too.. Im sure we will have plenty to talk about!!!
looking forward to getting together
ps this was taken last spring
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This message was edited Apr 1, 2010 11:37 AM
A biker. Now that's a wow. My DH and I took motocycle lessons in Tyler 2 years ago and I quit after the 1st of 2 days. I told everyone including myself that all would be safer if I stayed off the road. I had bought a good sized scooter and it sits unused.
Besides, my son was 17 at the time and figured we wouldn't mind if he rode a bike also. Wrong. I told him one of the instructors said everyone falls off their bike at least once and that capped a scary day for me and gave me ammo about why he need to stay on 4 wheels.
But bully for you! Lots of riders are skilled and stay safe.
OH my goodness the scooters are so much fun!!!.. even if you just buzz around the neighborhood... I learned to ride after my divorce.. I had always wanted to so I did.. boughtt a bike, took the class and my best friends son took me under his wing and off I went.. I love it!! but I also almost lost my life cause of it 5 yrs ago, thats why Im disabled now but I still love it and I still ride just not as far as I used to.. I decided I was not going to let fear take away something I loved. I have to admit when it came time to make good on getting back on it I was scared but with my friends help and encouragement I did it..
I'm sorry you were injured, that had to have been horrible. I'm cauciously happy for your continuing to follow your passion. It's all your business and none of mine and we all must make decisions to follow our dreams and weigh out the private and unique factors that are ours alone.
I rode my scooter twice off the property and went a quarter of a mile and turned around and came back. 30 mph felt WAY to fast! The second time I was almost home when a logging truck barreled up behind me as he was coming around a curve. I could hear his engine in my ears and the heat from his radiator hot on my back. My mind just froze and how I made the turn in my drive w/o mishap is still beyond me.
If we lived in a quiet subdivision, maybe I could pull it off.
We'd better stop this or we'll have nothing to discuss come the 14th!
Finishing the 10k in NO at just over 2 hours last Saturday. I expecially enjoyed talking to those using canes or otherwise in compromised health who were out there getting it done.
This pic shows me and a stranger visiting as we walked together briefly. And yes, my dog walked the whole way. He trained with me and this is his 3rd New Orleans 10k. He's all muscle under his fur!
way to go!!!!
Thanks Blkraven2! The tranining program can take you from a couch potato Jan 1 to a runner, jogger or walker by Easter Weekend, able to compete a 10k. I love walking in a group all going for the finish line.
Hey LouC, would you dmail me the new site or would someone else?
Thanks!