Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Good news and bad news, I have neither clear nodes or clean margins. need to go back under to work on margins and the tumor board has to decide if we need to go back in to take more nodes. We are arguing against since it raises risk of lymphodema without much benefit since we will radiating the area anyway. But no other change to diagnosis or treatment. NO CHEMO!!!! So except for pushing everything back by a couple of weeks, no real change. Surgeon was thrilled with the way I'm healing. Thanks for everyone's good wishes
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ArtyMom, Dang. That's disappointing to have to go back for clean margins. I do understand about the nodes Hopefully the tumor board will decide that removing more won't do much. But we all do what has to be done. Fingers crossed for you. And that's fantastic about no chemo!! Did you get your Oncotype score or did they not run one?
TwinsMawMaw, sorry that you have to do chemo. You'll get through it. My DIL, for each chemo treatment, told the drugs to KILL CANCER. She also said it is doable (as do most of the ladies here). Good luck!
HUGS!
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Artymom, sorry about the dirty margins and the two positive nodes. I had axillary lymph node dissection. So far no LE. I had 9 nodes removed. Twins, sorry about the chemo but glad you finally have a plan.
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No oncotype was done yet, I will be reaching out to meet with the medical oncologist sooner rather than later ecause I have concerns about tamoxifen and my depression meds.
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ArtyMom, sorry you have to go back for clean margins. But, good news no chemo. I had to have a re-excision to get clean margins too. I didn't have any trouble.
Just got back from BS 6 mos check up. She said need to work on my stretches, armpit area tight, when I stretched arm back on table, it didn't lay flat like good arm did. Otherwise, she said healing good & she didn't feel any new lumps or anything like that, go back in 6 mos. Hooray! Also met with lady who was kind of like a post BC navigator RN. She's there to support me with any questions or concerns I have as I move into long-term dealing with everything. Need to start calcium & vitamin D supplements. See PCP & MO tomorrow.
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Trish, What great news! I find I still need to stretch that area regularly. Seems like once stretched it should stay that way. Oh well, that's easy enough to do. Now good luck tomorrow!
HUGS!
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Tomorrow is surgery day. I will be glad to get it over with and back home. Prayers are appreciated
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Rita, in your pocket tomorrow dancing around. Good luck!
HUGS!
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Rita, in your pocket tomorrow. Sending prayers and positive vibes. You've got this! Let us know how it goes.
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I'm halfway... 11 of 20, and still feel pretty good, now I have to have PT at the end of the month, for accident... I strained my neck and clavicle joint... My left side doesn't like me... I still have to have my hands checked... waiting for later.. they were'nt part of the accident, so just brace them for now... one thing at a time...
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Judy, glad you're over halfway done! Are you feeling like you're held together with baling wire and duct tape? I'm sorry you're hurting from that accident. Hope you can get your hands figured out. Have another glass of wine - it can't hurt
HUGS!
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I'm going to make some Hot Spiced Wine at the end... to Celebrate... takes out the alcohol, and tastes great!
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Judy, that works!!
HUGS!
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Well, it seems I am on a roller coaster ride to hell. I got 2 letters today threatening to put me into collections for non-payment of my bills for chemo. As you may remember, I have contacted this facility at least once a month for he past 4 months and Cigna insurance every 2-3 weeks for the past 4 months in an attempt to get these bills. paid. Out of the 5 times that I have contacted Cigna, they have told me that I do not owe this facility anything, that my bill should be covered at 100%. Today, I called yet again and THIS time they tell me that not only DO I OWE this money, that the facility IS free to balance-bill me, that this facility has no contract with Cigna! WTH? At NO TIME has anyone said that Cigna has no contract with this hospital. In fact, prior to the MO laying hands on me, her business office pre-certified that I was covered. Had I known that Cigna wasn't going to pay up, I would have NEVER gone with this MO.
So, apparently I owe over $93,000. To say that I am upset is putting it mildly. Cigna gave me info on how to appeal, but now I see that it has to be filed within 180 days. Some of these bills go back to Oct-Nov-Dec 2015, well outside of the 180 days. I'm supposed to provide the appealing company with original bills, which I no longer have. I do have bills, but none of them are itemized. I am going to make an appt to go to my MOs office to have a sit-down with their business office. I need to get my medical records and bills. I'm also going to write a letter to my MO explaining the situation and asking her for a referral to another MO--I cannot continue to see her if my insurance isn't going to pay. Which is really a shame, because she is really phenomenal.
I really got upset with the lady at Cigna. It's not her fault, and I begged her not to take it personally, but this is the last straw. I have given up my breasts & my hair, my uterus & ovaries, and I've poisoned my body, all in the name of fighting breast cancer. I'm going to play their little game and file an appeal. And then I'm going to bump it up to the insurance commissioner. As a last resort, I will file medical bankruptcy. If it turns out that I indeed do owe $93,000, well, they can just come and get it $10 at a time. I will do everything in my power to NEVER pay this off.
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That's an f**king nightmare. I can't believe Cigna isn't paying and the hospital is screwing you. Skip everything and go straight to the insurance commissioner. This has gone on long enough. NEVER pay it. Not even $10 at a time. NEVER!!! Screw them.
HUGS!
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hello ladies,
Last week had a lumpectomy and 6 nodes removed from under the arm pit. 3. Days ago, I have had a large lumps appear and reduce in that same area. Red streaks here and there, but the pain is worse then the cut on my nipple for the lumpectomy. The pain sometimes shoots down my arm and to my back. Is this normal and how long does it last😩😩😩😩
Thanks
Cherie
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how are you doing
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Cherie, Welcome! We're glad you found us but sorry that you had to. We're warm, caring, comforting and informative (and funny). Sorry you're having zingers. They are totally normally. Most of us find our armpits bother a whole lot more than our breasts. I didn't have lumps come and go so can't speak to that. Keep icing both the armpit and breast. Please fill out your profile and make it public so we know all about you and your BC. Also we'd love to know where you are located - we could be close by (make that public too). Stay comfy.
HUGS!
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I have just returned from a lovely week in southern Arizona hiking the four southernmost sections of the Arizona National Scenic Trail. The weather was perfect and I had a great time except for the very long drive. As usual I am behind by dozens of posts, so I did a quick skim of everything.
Poodles, that insurance company is doing everything under the sun to confuse you and screw you! When I was dealing with my insurance appeal, some good advice I received was just what Peggy is telling you -- go to the Insurance Commissioner for your state. It really seems like Cigna did some bait and switch with you! I'm sure the Insurance Commissioner office can help sort out the mess. I definitely think you were covered but they are trying to weasel out of it. Maybe it is time for a lawyer.
I got my biopsy results just before I left on my trip. It was benign, hooray. As I'm sure you all clearly remember (lol), it was a biopsy on my "good" breast. That's all I have the energy for tonight. I'm thinking of everyone and sending positive vibes to everyone who needs them.
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Alice, I'm so glad you had a good time in Arizona. The thought of all that hiking wears me out but I know you love it. Hugely relieved that the biopsy was benign! Made your trip all the better, didn't it? Now take a nap before you go to bed
HUGS!
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updated info. Not sure why my info isn't showing
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hi Peggy
I filled out everything, so hopefully it appears.
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Croderick, you have to make all your information "public" for it to show up.
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Cherie, it's a complicated process. Go here: Settings to make Profile Public. Thanks! We have quite a few northern California gals.
HUGS!!
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Cherie , welcome . You need to change your settings to make your information public . I would call your surgeon about the red streaks .
Alice , great news about your biopsy .
I got my dexascan results in my patient portal . I have osteopenia in my lumber spine . My hips are in the normal range but definitely changed . My son's GF is a radiology tech and read the report . She said it only changed about 1% so I am barely in the range of osteopenia . Also my BS wants me to try prilosec otc for two weeks to see if my stomach problems resolve . Otherwise I am to call her and she will schedule an ultrasound . She doesn't think it's anything but doesn't want to take any chances . She doesn't think the pain in my arm is anything more than se from exemestane but I will follow up with my MO if it continues .
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Cherie, call your BS’ office and mention the red streaks—sounds like it might be an infection, which needs to be nipped in the bud.
Poodles, sounds like you might have a cause of action against your MO’s business office—they should never have pre-certified you, but because they did, they need to make good on it and ought to eat the cost. If they don’t, then you should resist paying and your lawyer should sue for fraud, harassment and infliction of emotional distress.
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poodles- unreal! You definitely don't need that nonsense. Its lawyer time
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Cherie yes, call your MO and tell them to make sure it isn't an infection. Also what I found helped a lot after the lumpectomy was I was given a little pillow about the size of a paperback novel. It fits right under your arm so it keeps the incision from getting rubbed every time you move. It helped a ton with the healing of that area since I wasn't rubbing it all the time. Think what you have around that you can use that way.
Poodles...I know you kept good notes...I'm not American, but I agree with the rest of them! Call your commissioner now and tell them that for over a year you have been told it's all paid! You have the dates names...use it!! That's bull....
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Poodles: I'm not a lawyer....but what ChiSandy said. The MO's office dropped the ball on this one. Big time.
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Whew! I think this thread is the most active on this website! I've been trying to catch up on my phone email, but it won't let me respond to any posts.
Poodles, I'm just astounded by your horror story! I can't even imagine facing the stress of your insurance issue! I'm think and praying, and crossing every digit that things ease quickly. Did you have any of the comments from Cigna in writing or e-mail saying that you didn't owe anything? Did you keep any notes with people's names you spoke with? One thing I leaned from my dad who was an investigator with DOJ was to keep a paper trail.
Alice, your trip to Arizona sounds wonderful. I just spoke with my nephew and he and his wife are going to an area called Islands in the Sky in So Arizona for Thanksgiving. I looked it up and it looks great also. So glad your biopsy was clear.
Cherie, I'm with Molly. I'd check with dr also about the red streaks, just to make sure there's no infection.
Twins, sorry you need to do chemo, but know that it's not usually as bad as we anticipate. They have so many things now to ward off the SEs and you can definitely do this! I highly recommend joint a board for chemo that usually start for the month you'll be getting tx. It really saved me and several of us are still in touch from August! Message me anytime if I can answer questions or lend support.
Molly, glad your osteopenia is minimal at this point. I know that's one thing they closely watch for with AIs. I've taken prilosec for quite a while for acid reflux. It works great for me, but takes about a week when you first start taking it.
Off to #9/37 rads. So far the only real problem is sporadic nausea. Skin feels a bit warm after tx but skin is holding up great.
Hope all else are doing good and getting ready for a nice weekend. Dara
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