Calling all TNs
Comments
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Fierce-that is terrific!Mags-Whoooo Hooooo
Congrats to Mary and tekwriter! And Gram!!!
Homehelp-I think most oncologist follow certain protocols determined by the status of the cancer. Sometimes options are given to the patient-patient can decide which way to go. I think it really depends on where you are and who you are seeing. My doc went against protocol and gave me AC for a second time. Glad he did because it worked. I had many heart tests to make sure it was not too much for me and had it administered in the hospital with a 24 hour drip. I have never heard of anybody else having it done this way. All I can say is that I was a very advanced stage 3/possibly stage 4 (some docs said stage 4) and I am NED as far as I know at this moment-all tests have been good.
Just stopped by to say hi! I have had a tough week. First of all, the clinic where my primary and back doctor are fired me as a patient. I have been late on some bills with them. Not a significant amount-but I have so many medical bills coming at me from all directions I have a hard time choosing which ones to pay. Anyway, I had made two payments recently, one was $161 paid in April and the next one was $113 paid in the beginning of May. So I still owed $138 and that is when they sent the letter out. I have never been so upset, as I had been making payments. They told me to take my care elsewhere! I have been a patient there since 2000 and had my chemo and surgery there with my first bout of cancer, so you can imagine that my insurance has paid them hundreds of thousands of dollars. I had never been late on payments until this year. And now they gave me the boot. So after I received the letter saying this, I saw that my dog was limping, dragging one of her back legs. Did not know what to do, home alone and she is big. I called the vet and they could not get her in, recommended an emergency vet. Hubby got home and we took her in. Of course they wanted to do xrays, I can't even afford my bills how was I going to afford this, they said it would cost 250-400 for the xrays. We said unfortunately we could not do that, we could only afford the initial visit. Then she said she could do one xray for 100 bucks, so we said ok. Well, her leg was completely broken, at an angle. Vet said most likely cancer mets and she recommended putting her down. I cried like I have not cried in a long time! She said that how the leg was broken it could tear a main artery and of course that would be bad. So we had to put her down, right then and there. It was horrible, but I do believe it was the right thing to do. She was old for a big dog, about 14 years. We brought her home and buried her. Had a nice little goodbye for her and put her favorite bone with her. If anybody actually read all this thank you! I just need a place to write about my woes! Well, tomorrow is a new day and a new beginning.
Really odd. As I was typing this I saw I got a call from Comcast. It is 12 am! How strange is that? didn't get to my phone in time to answer. Very odd.
Didn't mean to write a book! Still having horrible sciatica pain. Still going to pt. Other than that feeling pretty good.
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Bak94, very, very glad to hear that you are NED! That is great news. Glad your doctor went against protocol!
On the other hand, so sorry to hear about your troubles. Do you have another clinic nearby that you can attend? That is just a terrible way to treat a patient after what you have just gone through, especially over a small amount.
But I am especially saddened to hear about your dog. It was the right thing to do but is such a difficult decision to have to make. Thank goodness you had her for the 14 years so she had a good, long life with you.
Here's hoping and wishing that things get better for you today.
Doreen
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Bak94,
Of course the loss of doc's and healing bills suck, but I wanted to give my condolences on your dog. I'm crying as I type. No worse feeling...
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Bak, I'm sad to hear about your dog. You did the right thing by putting her down, but it doesn't make it any easier or less sad. Please be gentle with yourself in the days ahead. Losing a dearly loved pet is a major loss no matter what. ((hugs))
Gram, congratulations on finishing your treatment!!! I just finished last week. Now it's time for us to work on regaining our strength and stamina. I feel like I have a long way to go, but I can already feel some of the radiation fatigue lifting. It's too bad we weren't in the same chemo group. I was in the Sept. 2013 group and it has been a huge source of support.
Tek, whoo hoo on finishing chemo! That's a huge accomplishment and the hardest part of treatment as far as I'm concerned. You did it!
On the metformin question, my MO says she wants me to take it for the next 5 years. I'm more than happy to do that. I did have to build up to the full dose (850 mg twice a day) very gradually due to intestinal issues, but I don't have a colon due to severe ulcerative colitis in my 30's....so my intestines are a bit more sensitive than most people's. I have no problems with the medication now after building up gradually.
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bak, I read your whole post (of course) and I am so sorry for all you're going through. Losing your dog must be heart-breaking, even though it was the "right" thing to do. And the mess with doctor's bills... that just sucks! (I feel tremendously fortunate to live in a place where I do not have to pay out of pocket for health care or deal with insurance companies, paperwork to get the treatment my docs think is medically necessary...not meant as any kind of political statement btw... it just doesn't seem right to me that people who are ill have to go through all that added stress.) Anyways, bak, feel free to vent anytime... and know that we've all got your back, and are hoping things look up for you soon!
Congrats to all the ladies who are finishing up treatment! Treat yourself to something nice.
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Bak94,
That is terrible about your furbaby!! I’ve been through that and it just sucks! But I agree that you did the right thing for her!!
And about that Doctor’s office, that is just crazy! I think I would give them a call and even try
to speak directly to the doctor, I’ve had this happen before with some office worker (bookkeeper, office manager or the like) making the decision and sending out a letter that the doctor knew nothing about! So please before you give up, make sure that the doctor is actually on board with this!!
Once I had to make payment arrangements with one of my doctors, the doctor was totally on board, but I got a letter from his bookkeeper telling me that if I didn’t make larger payments they would not be able to see me, so I just made a call and told the doctor what had happened and he was
appalled! He said that no letter like that should ever go out without his knowledge and he actually waved the rest of what I owed and the bookkeeper was reprimanded! The doctor actually thanked me for bringing this to his attention as he said that was a good way for him to lose patients and money! Anyway, guess I rambled, but at least maybe think about talking to the doctors before you give up!Sorry about your sciatica pain, I have that also! Hope today is better!
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bak94, there are no words to say regarding your loss, {{{{{{{{hugs!}}}}}}}
And i agree with nettie. You need to contact doctor directly. And if they are still uncaring, i would file complaint with insurance company, insurance commission, and any organization in area that will listen. That it just heartless to fire you as patient. And as far as bills go just pay them $10 as often as you can. It shows you are trying to pay.
Hooray gram and tek!
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Bak- so sorry to hear about your beloved dog. Sending you a big hug that your pain eases and things get better with the doctor situation.
Tiffany
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Bak - My heart is broken for you about losing your dog. We had to put my 15-year old golden retriever a couple years ago and it still hurts. They are always there for us and are such an unselfish friend to us. You did the right thing because she must have been in pain. Doesn't help your pain though, I know.
Hugs,
Kathy
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Hi all,
Just got diagnosed last month with TNBC.
Everything has happened so quickly that it still feels a little surreal...
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Welcome SummerRose - Sorry you find yourself here. You will find lots of support though.
Bak - Yes, I read your whole post. First, I am so sorry about your dog. I had to do that with one of mine last fall and it still hurts. I agree with the others about contacting your doctor directly. I brought something to my PCP's attention a few years ago and he took care of it personally and thanked me for telling him. Sorry you are having back pain. Hope you get relief soon.
To all who have finished rads or chemo - Hooray!
My brain is as foggy as my eyesight these days, I can't remember what else I wanted to say.
Wishing you all we'll, hugs, lilyrose
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Bak your Dr.'s clinic sucks! I am so sorry about your fur baby going over the rainbow bridge. It is an awful time for you to lose one.
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Navy Mom I'm thinking of you and your family this Memorial Day. Bless our HEROS. Jan
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Summer Rose...glad to have you in the club and also so sorry you had to join!
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BAK my heart goes out to you. I cannot believe that your doctor can do this to you, all for a measly $138 bucks. That in my book is frigging disgusting. Like you say they have made thousands out of you over the years and now treat you like this. God I would like to give them a piece of my mind. Like the girls say talk to your doctor himself as he may not be aware of what is going on but my God I am almost lost for words. Surely it is better to pay $10 a week so at least they get the money back not just cut you off like that. Shame on them.
Now your big feller. What an awful thing for you to go through especially when you are struggling for money already. I too cried like a baby when I read your post. I am so sorry you lost him but I know you unselfishly thought only of him when you put him out of his pain. I know you couldn't bear for him to suffer and feel content in your mind that this was best for him, even so I know you loved him so much. Cuddle your other babies and think of him often. Like angels he will watch over you as well. Sending huge hugs. xxx
For all those having treatments may your side effects be minimal. To all of you other lovely ladies have a great day.
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bak - my heart goes out to you in the loss of your dog. My golden is 12 years old and I love him so much that to think of life without him is just unbearable, but I know his time is going to come sooner than later. They just wiggle their way into our hearts and when they leave us ther is a big gaping hole that cannot be filled. Hugs!!!
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Something to brighten your day
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Welcome SummerRose....it is surreal to be diagnosed with BC and then find out it is TNBC. There is quite a period of adjustment mentally. I wish you the best with your treatments. You can do this! Will you be doing surgery or chemo first?
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Ksteve and Adagio- we had a beautiful Golden as well. It broke our hearts 4 years ago when we had to put him down. He had so much fluid on his lungs he could barely breath. This happened just before I was diagnosed and I thought everyday how comforting it would have been for me to just hug him when I was feeling low. We have yet to get another pet as we can't get over our beloved Blake (we called him Blakers).SummerRose- Welcome. Love of love and info here- so stick around!
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Cocker - Love the Maxine cartoon! It's hilarious!
Hugs, lilyrose
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Bak, honey, I am so sorry to hear of your recent heartbreaks. Sometimes in life when it rains, it pours and it seems like your life is at that point right now. I just cannot believe how us cancer patients can sometimes be treated like that at doctor's offices. I wonder where the heck does all those breast cancer monies which are collected through the Susan Komen and other organizations go? They should be used for people like yourself, whose life has become so challenging due to having had cancer. You and I did not chose to have cancer and destroy our lives, but one bout of cancer affects your life in so many ways, especially how it affects our livelihood. That doctor should be so ashamed of himself. I am wondering if there is any way you can apply for some sort of grant from organizations such as Susan Komen, otherwise where the hell is all those monies? Where does it go and to whom? I don't understand. If anyone has any resource regarding grants from organizations to help put post cancer survivors back on track, please let's share that.
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Bak,
I'm so sorry about the loss of your furbaby.
I understand about trying to decide which bill to pay - I have to wonder if the doctor knew about the actions of his business office. To do that over $138 is just ridiculous. Hang in there and I hope your sciatica goes away!
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FYI - CancerCare.org offers financial assistance to those meeting their eligibility requirements. Their website also offers additional resources for financial aid for cancer related costs if one doesn't meet their eligibility criteria.
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Thinking of you NavyMom
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The first time I wished there was a "like" button... I agree with the above!
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Bak - I read your whole post and please know I read it in it 's entirety because that is why we are here, to support all of our worries. I am a dog owner and unfortunately have had to put dogs down in the past - they are part of our family know matter how you look at it. I am so sorry and feel your pain. As for your bills, shame on your doctors and health care program, that has to be the lowest of lows. I would also call them and tell them how disappointed you are with the outcome and to put themselves in your shoes. Again shame on them. What you owe is so insignificant compared to what they have actually been paid.
To all those who have talked about metformin I have to say I went to a new eye doctor because of issues with my eye sight getting worse after chemo and he asked if I was on metformin and he said I could take a baby aspirin every day if my doctor doesn't recommend metformin. My doctors have never mentioned metformin for me and I hear about it on this board all the time but I think I may take his recommendation and start taking a baby aspirin. He is not only an eye doctor by a nutritionist. Any thoughts on this? I am not one that likes to take anything but am thinking about. I have a physical this week and will bring it up to my primary care doctor to see what she says. Haven't seen her since before my diagnosis with TNBC. It will be interesting.
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LPBoston, I take a baby aspirin each day as a cancer preventative. aspirin and cancer
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A friend of mine is a diabetic and takes Metformin to lower his blood sugar. He takes 750mg 2x daily at meals. What do you suppose the Metformin does to blood sugar when taken by a non-diabetic? He is also not supposed to drink alcohol on the medication because his blood sugar could go dangerously low. Is the same true for cancer patients?
I am not a candidate for this treatment, but I am curious...
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Jan, Cocker and Radical: Feeling the Love. Thanks so much.
I just returned from a visit with my Navyson. He is leaving next week for Eastern Europe(Think Russian border counrty) I am so grateful to him and all of our men and women who serve our country.
Well Ladies and gent today is my big day. My 5 year cancerversary day. I am HERE and have no signs of that bitch AKA cancer. I am sipping on a glass of wine while DH is cooking one of my favorite dinners (Italian sausage and peppers over pasta) He has no clue what today is (even though he asked me several times a few weeks ago)but no problem.
Thinking of all who are currently going through treatment and its after effects...big hugs and hang in there.
Holding those we have lost close to my heart
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A big round of applause to you Navy Mom! May every year from this one on be a healthy, happy, cancer-free one for you.
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