Weigh in: What are the best and worst gifts for people with breast cancer?
Share with us: What are your proudest moments of 2024 and personal goals for 2025?
Take our poll: How are you feeling as we near the New Year?

CALLING ALL STAGE I SISTERS

1…5253555758…512

Comments

  • mississippiqueen
    mississippiqueen Member Posts: 9
    edited January 2010

    I've hugged my BS, my PS and my Onc now.  I caught the BS off guard I'm pretty sure but he was the 2nd opinion doctor and such a relief.  The PS actually seems to prefer a kiss on the cheek.  He's of Asian descent.  The Onc yesterday was totally ready for it. His nurse hugged me first so what was I to do.

    These great doctors, and everyone on this site, are what help get me/us through this.  But after the first one, I had no where to go but up. 

  • kac
    kac Member Posts: 43
    edited January 2010

    Hi ladies,

    I love my PS, he's the best!  My BS is ok, haven't seen too much of him but he's supposed to be the best around.  I don't think my onc and I got off to a good start.  She was highly recommended by BS so I told DH that I would give her another try.  The 2nd meeting went better although I did go get a 2nd opinion after that meeting.  I've only seen her 1 other time since and it was fine.  I have new insurance this year and can't find her on the list, so when I get my card I need to take it in to verify.  If it's not one thing it's another, I swear!  What a time to have to change insurance!

    Sue61- just to let you know, I don't know if you remember, I had the insurance that was fighting paying the pathologist 100% because they weren't on the list.  Well, it turns out, once my DH got his HR person involved, the insurance paid in full.  Supposedly, there was a miscoding issue.  Funny how that happened, huh. 

    I know I've read others with insurance issues and all I can tell you from my experience is have your HR person involved in anything that is denied or not covered right.  I'm not one to just pay a bill just because it comes in the mail!  I'm a fighter with these types of issues and will always be!  I know that some of the people were not on our insurance list, but since I didn't have a choice in who the hospital chose, they covered it.  It may depend how the policy is written.

    Hope everyone has a relaxing evening!  Take care.

    Kelley

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited January 2010

    I was lucky, because after my BMX, I got a phone call from my insurance, and they offered me a case manager to help sort out all my insurance issues.  Monica was a God-send!  She helped me get through all the red tape, and it seemed that EVERY dr. I saw messed up royally when they submitted the claims with my insurance...   go figure...

    My ps is a HUGGER, and he hugged me from the beginning, only I didn't feel very warm toward him...  My surgeon is GREAT and I LOVE HIM, but he isn't a hugger...  I feel like hugging him, though...

    Harley

  • deborye
    deborye Member Posts: 2,441
    edited January 2010

    Big Hugs to Our Doctors♥

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited January 2010

    I am very happy with my team...now.  THe first group got me through TX but I am amazed I made it with the amount of info they withheld.  I love going to a Large Cancer Treatment group, they make me feel llike I am an important part of my treatment and followup, which I am.

    Carolinachick, you and I have similar experiences and dxs, I know that with rads, we are limited to our options should we have a recurrance, so I would probably do the BMX as well.  Might as well have both of them reconned at the same time.

  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 1,089
    edited January 2010

    On the insurance front...went in for Herceptin today gave the receptionist my c.c. for the copay only to find out my insurance has changed and now I have a 20% coinsurance and no copay.   I had just finished chemo and was preparing for recon when the cobra packet came in and I just picked the same plan 'assuming' coverage was the same.   Needless to say I was very distracted and even told the nurse to do my BP in MY AFFECTED ARM!!!! I came out of my daze pretty quick once the cuff filled and the pain hit!  Holy CRAP I hope I did not screw up too badly...my arm is still tingly 4 hours later!!!!!  I also had to meet with other onc in the office since mine was on vacation (I LOVE my Onc) and this other guy didn't even talk to me...he talked over me and didn't review blood work or current meds and I have made changes to my suppliments, etc...What a FRIGGEN WASTE of time and $$$ meeting with him!

    Thank you for letting me vent!!!! Sorry for being a downer!!!!

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited January 2010

    Michelle.....I had blood drawn from the affected side because the other arm wasn't cooperating and it was my oncologist who did it. Nothing happened. give yourself until tomorrow the discomfort will go away.

    I don't blame you for being all upset. Does it mean they will hold you responsible for the 20% of the bill?

    Make some phone calls where you are I'M sure some cancer society try to help with your bills.

    Please keep us posted and you can vent and SLAM anytime you feel like it. They cant hold treatment from you.

    Big Hugs are flying to Arizona.

    Sheila♥

  • deborye
    deborye Member Posts: 2,441
    edited January 2010
    Nothing happened to me either when I had an IV in my left arm, that is because no one told me until after the fact.Yell
  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited January 2010

    My oncologist thinks after 4 years its okay to use the arm. But I still take out the healthy arm.

  • nanaskay
    nanaskay Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2010

    Hey Sheila,

    My name is Milie. I have had a lumpectemy and received chemo (Taxotere,Carboplatin). 6 treatments and now onto the radiation. 33 treatments half way through. I see you are also her2 pos. I am supposed to start the herceptin in March and very apprehensive. I read up on the internet and am scared to death of the side effects. Doctor tells me the first treatment is about 4 hours to make sure there are no reactions to the drug. Have you had the drug and how did it effect you.

    Looking forward to hearing from you.

    By the way hi to all of my sisters out there.

    Millie

  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 1,089
    edited January 2010

    Millie - I have had 12 treatments of Herceptin since June 09 and will continue every 21 days until end of August 2010 - most common side effect for me is slight headache during/shortly after the infusion.  I also had Taxotere/Cytoxan x 4

    Welcome!

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited January 2010

    Millie...Another BC sister with HER2+.

    I got Herceptin for for 52 weeks once a week. Absolutely had no side effects.

    I had 4 A/C and 4 Taxol treatment. I started getting Herceptin with my first Taxol and continued even during my radiation.

    It is a maintenance drug. You don't feel sick and your hair starts growing.

    I don't know why 4 hours. Are you getting it every 3 weeks or once a week.?

    Mine took about 45 minutes + with the prep.

    I don't want you to get upset, because I didn't read anybody having reactions from it.

    If you have any other questions don't hesitate to post.

    o2bhealthy also is HER2+. I think there are only about 6 ladies who are positive.

    One more thing you can only post 4 times in 24 hours until you reach 50 posts.

    You can always Pm people PRIVATE MESSAGES on the right upper hand side of the screen. Just click on my name or anybody you choose. New page will open up which says send member a message and thats it.

    Good Luck and Welcome to our group.

    Sheila

  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 1,605
    edited January 2010

    Wow, what a busy group!!  Welcome to all the new ladies.  So many of you still in treatment.  I'm hoping that each and every one of you are doing well. 

    Linda

  • deborye
    deborye Member Posts: 2,441
    edited January 2010
    Newbies♥
  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited January 2010

    Newbie sisters Welcome to our group.

    Sheila

  • C130sunshine
    C130sunshine Member Posts: 47
    edited January 2010

    Catlover123....please let us know how your surgery goes....the best of luck...sending you warm fuzzy thoughts!!!

    You must do what is right for you and if you have a prolem with a Doc (then get a new one)  I did not have any problems with my surgeons but with my first Oncologist.  To make a long story short I love my oncology team!!!!!!!

     kim Cool

  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 925
    edited January 2010

    Millie~ don't be scared of herceptin.  I have a little bit of SE that I "think" are from it but they could be left over from TC part.  The worst is the fatigue and my joints are a little sore.  Not a big deal AT ALL.  My infusion room is slow (but I love them) and it takes 2 hours for my 30 min. drip :)

    I think I stress my onc. out.  I ask him a hundred questions at each appt. and keep him on his toes.  My last appt. though he started talking to me about the BC conference in San Antonio and made himself even more backed up.  He got talking about it and when he left he actually turned around and thanked me for the great conversation....lol... 

  • C130sunshine
    C130sunshine Member Posts: 47
    edited January 2010
    Jaimieh....Most docs I talk to love when their patients ask questions.  I always have "my book" with me......I not only ask questions, I take notes (then before I leave I briefly go over my notes to make sure I heard exactly what he said).  It is now a joke with us....when I have my appointments the first things we go over are the questions in "my book".  Now they almost seem upset if I don't have questions.....Laughing
  • reeltchr
    reeltchr Member Posts: 139
    edited January 2010

    Hello Ladies,

    My name is Chris from NC. I am a stage 1 who had a Mx on 12/1/09. I am in the process of reconstruction now. Things are going well. Also started Femara on1/1/10 and, again, I feel fine. We are fortunate that our prognosis is positive, but nevertheless, we need to stay on top of it all.  I am glad to have found this thread and already feel a connection. Will share more info another time as it is kind of late right now.

  • KAJDerby
    KAJDerby Member Posts: 32
    edited January 2010

    Hello.  I have been over at the January 2010 chemo thread and decided to read some others.  I live in Japan.  My main tumor was 7cm, but mostly DCIS.  I also have several IDC tumors, but they are less than a cm.  They do not do an Oncodx here, but they check all the proteins.  Mine were bad and the IDC was in several lymph vessels.  So chemo for me.  They did not give me an option of BMX, but not sure I would have gone that route at this time.  Too much to process.

    Earlier on this thread I read how some of you like your surgeons.  Here in Okinawa, my BS is my onco.  I love my BS and he is doing a great job.  Gives me copies of all my results translated into English without me having to ask!  Spends a lot of time with my husband and I explaining everything.  We ask a lot of questions and he schedules my appointments at the end of his day so he doesn't have to rush us.

    The one thing that I am really nervous about is that on my CT scan before surgery they found a spot on my lungs and two near my collar bone.  The doctor said the MX was the main thing and then chemo.  They will watch these spots to see how they react to the chemo.  I took care of my mother 25 years ago while she suffered with lung cancer.  I was 25 when she passed away.  My daughter will be 25 in two years, and I don't want her to have to face this same situation!  I want to be around to meet my grandchildren one day! 

    Thanks for letting me talkSmile

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited January 2010

    Welcome, Grace.  I am sorry you are going through this, and had to meet us under these circumstances.  Where in Japan are you?  Are you there in the military?  I have a son living over there right now.  You are always welcome to talk here.

    ((hugs))

    Meece

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited January 2010

    I realize your id indicates Okinawa, I was asking if you were at Kadena.  It's probably around 10:45 pm there, so I will wait until morning for your reply. Smile

  • Hannahbearsmom
    Hannahbearsmom Member Posts: 266
    edited January 2010

    reeltchr: Sorry you are having to join us but glad to have you here. I live near Durham. I am a little farther along in the process since my BLM with TE surgery was in Sept. I should be having my exchange surgery in March. My PS likes to wait 3 months after the last fill. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. Good luck and glad things are going well so far.

    Grace:  I will be praying for you for a good response to the chemo. We are hear to listen so don't hesitate to tell us about your feelings/fears/frustrations. Sending ((hugs)).

    TCK

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited January 2010

    Good Morning All.

    Welcome Grace and Chris

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited January 2010
    I am sorry, somehow I missed your post, reeltchr,  Welcome to you as well. 
  • carolinachick
    carolinachick Member Posts: 135
    edited January 2010

    Harley - I also have a case manager through BCBS, and she has been wonderful.  She checks in with me on a regular basis to make sure everything is going well.

    Meece - Yes, our dx and treatment is very similar.  I do wish that someone would have explained the radiation/reconstruction issues before my surgery, but I don't think that would have changed my decision at all.  I'm giving these girls one more chance to behave, but they will be gone and I will have new ones if I ever have a recurrence.

    Welcome to the new ladies.  Hugs to each of you.

  • carolinachick
    carolinachick Member Posts: 135
    edited January 2010

    Harley - I also have a case manager through BCBS, and she has been wonderful.  She checks in with me on a regular basis to make sure everything is going well.

    Meece - Yes, our dx and treatment is very similar.  I do wish that someone would have explained the radiation/reconstruction issues before my surgery, but I don't think that would have changed my decision at all.  I'm giving these girls one more chance to behave, but they will be gone and I will have new ones if I ever have a recurrence.

    Welcome to the new ladies.  Hugs to each of you.

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited January 2010

    I actually asked my PS if I should have had a mx and just started from scratch and he said I made the right decision.  He knows his BC stuff, and works closely with my onc.  Although neither one was on my team to begin with.

  • LauraM
    LauraM Member Posts: 41
    edited January 2010

    Hi Ladies!   Welcome Grace and Chris!

    I did it.. I finally made my decision... it has been 1 long month of going back and forth in my head.  I am scheduled for a double mx on February 22 with immediate reconstruction.   I am nervous but good with my decision.  I will still need to wait the results of the removal of my lymph node to see if any further treatment will be needed.  I am glad to finally look to recovery and to get my new set of "perky ones".

  • musiclovermom
    musiclovermom Member Posts: 245
    edited January 2010

    LauraM

    You sound like you are happy with your choice! I have not regretted my decision once! I have peace of mind and the new perky boobs won't be trying to kill me!

    Let me know if there is anything I can help with! I had my BMX 10/15/09...

    Kimberly

Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.