When They Don't Tell You Everything

After my last post, I was thinking my cancer was at bay.  This week was my scheduled Oncologist visit, Falsodex and Zometa treatments.  When I told the doctor what had been relayed to me from my GYN, he then asked what radiation treatments and chemotherapy was recommended.  I replied, none.  I could see from his head shakes and demeanor that something was wrong.

One thing my GYN didn't relay was the blood test taken at the Oncologist's office.  She didn't receive the results when we were discussing my MRI results.  Now at the Oncologist office he told me the normal range for ovaries is between 0-35.  My blood test results were a scary high number, too high to share.  My cancer is in my ovary.


Regan, IV Nurse

He began to tell me about chemotherapy.  It would be 8 treatments every three weeks and can't remember the name of medication.  I will lose my hair and become nauseous.  I have been going to my IV infusion treatments with Zometa monthly.  Now these visits will become weekly with blood tests, treatments and doctor appointments.  He also scheduled a PET scan so we would have a base line prior to treatment.  I will have those results next week.

Since I have trouble with my IV, Regan my IV nurse, talked about getting a IV port installed.  It is all so real and unwanted, a place I was hoping not to be.  I am so tired of being poked in my hands because of my deep veins.  I resign myself to having one installed.  I also found out that I will be on Zometa for the rest of my life instead of the 12 treatments mentioned at my first appointments.  Regan said it was like taking your vitamins for your bones.  They could only get approval for 12 months of treatments at a time with health insurance.  Oh boy!

At this point I am scared that I may be at the point of no return which is why they recommended no ovarian surgery.  That question will be asked at my next appointment.  I am thankful that I switched from an HMO to a PPO healthcare plan this year because it would take weeks before getting any testing or chemotherapy treatment approved.

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I have setup a GoFundMe page for donations to help with my medical bills.  Your generosity is humbling and appreciated.

Be genuine, share yourself and have a fabulous day!  Susan (aka SuzzzyGal)

Disclaimer:  I am not a medical professional and any information contained here is an opinion.  Seek advice from a professional. 

Doctors, Doctors, Doctors!

I recently changed my HMO to a PPO to have more control over my medical problems.  After visiting my new primary care doctor, she recommended going to my GYN doctor.  Because when you have one women's disease, it could lead to more, she stated.  What a way to make you more nervous than you already are.

I was able to get a GYN appointment with my doctor right away.  Of course it was emotional.  I cried when I told her I should have listened to her.  How I was stubborn and now have to live with the results.  She was sweet when we spoke about my mom passing.  It was touching to have a doctor care in such a manner.  After explaining my concerns for my visit she prepared tests for the pelvic exam, first a pap smear.

It is never a comfortable exam being propped up in certain manner to see the cervix, but once she was viewing my insides she said I had a polyp.  A pretty big one.  Uh oh, now I'm scared about another health issue.  The doctor then removed the polyp, showing me before placing in the cup for pathology.  Yup, it was a big polyp, about 2 inches in length.  The doctor also performed a test by inserting something through the cervix into the uterous.   Not a pleasant experience, but lasted 20 seconds.  She explained with these tests and a sonogram (scheduled for next week), will help determine if there is anything to be addressed.

Today's technology has certainly improved over the years.  Before entering the doctor's office, I kept thinking I would be subjected to a colposcopy.  These are not pleasant, bee sting my a$$.  If you've had one, then you know what I mean.  The good news is the polyp pathology came back benign. 

My GYN doctor also gave me a breast surgeon recommendation.  It's time to have the lump removed, it has been a year.  The Tamoxifen has put me into menopause and hasn't reduced the lump.  Which now concerns me. 

I'm thinking about having a double mastectomy.  It's about the possibility of cancer spreading to the second breast in the future.  Why go through breast cancer surgery twice.  Also for me the idea of having a deformed breast and then having to get specialty bras or bathing suits is unappealing.  It's about being comfortable.  I've had DDD breasts, wearing underwire bras for most of my adult life.  Plus I have gotten used to not wearing one.  My boobs are no longer perky, swinging left and right like they just don't care. 

Besides having scars after a double mastectomy, I would have a tattoo to cover what once was.  A breast cancer survivor representation.

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I have setup a GoFundMe page for donations to help with my medical bills.  Your generosity is humbling and appreciated.

Be genuine, share yourself and have a fabulous day!  Susan (aka SuzzzyGal)

Disclaimer:  I am not a medical professional and any information contained here is an opinion.  Seek advice from a professional. 

My Experience With An HMO

Once in the hospital I needed to sign up for ObamaCare and based on the information provided I was eligible for a bronze level HMO.  It would not be active until 4 weeks later.  I was released from the hospital again after my hip replacement surgery into a rehabilitation facility.  The HMO required that I pay the deductible up front.  The deductible was $6,300 and placed on a credit card.  Oh boy!!!

I knew I was in a good facility.  After being evaluated by the Occupational & Physical Therapist, I stood for the first time before entering the hospital.  What a great feeling, I had lost hope that I would be able to walk again.  I began my physical therapy and gained some strength.  The HMO required weekly updates and by my second week they were ready to release me.  They felt I wasn't progressing fast enough.  I was weak and so disappointed with the HMO.  How can you release someone who isn't able to take care of themselves.  The HMO did not have my whole story, only that I had a hip replacement. 

During this timeframe my facility doctor had weekly blood draws and it became a concern that my hemoglobin was too low.  I was lightheaded at times while in therapy sessions lately and it was decided I needed to go back to the hospital for another blood transfusion.  I had lost a lot of blood during the hip surgery, along with my immune system being compromised from breast cancer.  After the transfusion, I returned to the rehabilitation facility 2 days later.

After spending a total of 54 days in rehab, I was walking with a walker and able to get to the toilet on my own.  This is where HMO's have some deficiencies.  Once released, I was brought home by a friend who luckily had a walker and commode that sat above the toilet.  My HMO doctor had received my documentation along with the home equipment list needed.  My equipment listed a wheelchair, commode, home healthcare and physical therapy.

It took three weeks to get a wheelchair and I was only eligible for physical therapy.  The commode was considered portable and the HMO would only provide one transport equipment.  Thank goodness for my friends equipment.  I had been in contact with the HMO, the doctors office and the referral department daily, weekly.  It seemed the doctors office kept losing my orders.  The constant waiting for everything, such as equipment, radiation treatments became more frustrating with each request.

In my lifetime working for different companies, I had been exposed to different health insurance policies including HMO's and PPO's.  I never experienced this with a PPO.  There are a lot of individuals who praise the HMO system, but I would not want to be sick while on their health insurance plan.  I changed my plan to a PPO during open enrollment with ObamaCare and qualified for a gold PPO plan costing less than the HMO.  Go figure!!!

Share your experience with your health insurance plan, good or bad.  It may help another make a better decision in their healthcare.

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I have a GoFundMe page for donations to help with my medical bills.  Your generosity is humbling and appreciated.

Be genuine, share yourself and have a fabulous day!  Susan (aka SuzzzyGal)