Full week ahead

[Uben]

Monday-CT scan on brain to see if it has made it there and a follow-up w/oncologist
Tuesday-PET scan on spine to check proximity of met to spinal chord
Wed.-biopsy on liver to make sure its not primary liver cancer
Thurs-get port inserted for chemo
Fri-Meet and evaluate chemo needs

No rest for the weary! I'm glad they are being aggressive.

We bought a class B camper van a couple of months ago to do some travelling. The irony is that the previous owner had purchased it to take their mom to cancer treatments, and now, that's what we'll be using it for. It a self-contained unit with a generator, stove, microwave, shower, commode, a/c, and furnace. It has already been helpful as Carol can lay down on the bed in back when we are travelling to the docs. It'll give me a place to stay instead of spending hours in waiting rooms. I can throw a DVD in and relax for while, and she can call me to go pick her up when she's done with treatments.

Every doctor she has seen has called this week making sure we know we'll have to bring money because our deductible ($5000) has not been met. The Monday visit alone will be $4800, and that alone will put us over, so that'll be all of that. Gosh, I really feel for those who don't have insurance, or the money, to feed these vultures. There's enough to worry about without having to scrape up money for all the damned tests. Fortunately, we have the resources to cover everything. I can see how an illness like this could bankrupt someone in the first week, and it breaks my heart to know people have to have that worry piled on top of everything else they are worrying about. That just isn't right. It doesn't seen humane at all.

[YvonneCa]

1. It's not humane...

...at all. Not even close. It is completely wrong to add stress and worry to those people and families going through cancer treatments.

Uben, I don't know what state you and your wife are in, but if you are in CA and I can be of help, please let me know.

[Uben]

2. Texas

Carol is from Dallas, and I grew up 60 miles or so north of there, where we have lived for the past 17 yrs. We both have family here for support, but thanks for your kind offer. As the news of her cancer gets around, the phone has not stopped ringing. We have lots of close friends and Carol made many during her years as a counselor.

[YvonneCa]

3. Glad to hear...

...you both have lots of support.

[Irishonly]

4. I am glad you have insurance

We have City of Hope but the waiting list is horrible. My heart breaks for those who do not have insurance and it is obsene that we have millions with no coverage and millions more under insured. No one fighting cancer or any other illness should every have to worry about paying for it.

Your wife's new candle is spiced apple.

[Uben]

5. Oooooh! I like that.

I always have cinnamon apple pot pourri going this time of year in the house. I'll admit, I've been in a fuzz lately. Everything is happening so fast I hardly have time to think about it being the holidays.

[Irishonly]

7. You have a lot more things to deal with

I have candles all year around. I buy scented ones sometimes.

[jumptheshadow]

9. We are burning Irish peat

We have no fireplace but burn it in a little jar. It reminds her of home.

[jumptheshadow]

6. What a week...

The camper sounds like it would be a great help if you can afford it.

I've always felt strongly about the healthcare debate. Our experience makes it even more black-and-white for me. Fixing our healthcare system needs to be our top priority. Unfortunately, Republicans try to pit generations against each other on this topic. Their inhumane stance infuriates me, as calm as I am trying to stay these days.

[cmd]

8. That is a full week

I'm sure you won't have much time to think as you shuffle from one test to another.
I am lucky. I'm just a couple of miles from my local hospital and treatment center and I'm also on Medicare with a fairly good secondary insurance. So far the treatments haven't cost us much.

I've had all the test you mentioned. I suggest that your wife ask if she can talk during the procedures. It gets lonely when you are laying still for what seem forever. Being able to talk helps. The radiology team will tell her when to be quiet.

The advice I gave about crying was some of the best I heard. It breaks the ice when
down in the dumps and sometimes gets a big laugh.

I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in April 2010. I had no idea that I would still be here a year and a half later feeling fairly good and able to be a productive human being. Chemo was a wonderful awful experience. It has already given me so many more months with my family. I met so many wonderful doctors, nurses and patients during my treatments. This part of my life has given me a strange peace I cannot begin to describe. My thoughts will be with you this week.

[Uben]

10. Thanks cmd

We're not that far from treatment. 30 miles for these tests, but chemo and radiation can be done about 15 miles away. That's the nearest town, and I make that trip 5-6 times a week anyway. We are both retired (too young for medicare) and we have a private healthcare policy. It's a high deductible ($5K), with a total out-of-pocket of $10K. Since her first bout with cancer, we have always kept an additional $10K available for an emergency such as this.

I can tell ya if someone had told us 9 yrs ago we would have another nine yrs, that would have been a good thing. We both retired and have spent every day together since then. I realize how fortunate we are to have been able to do that, and there has never been a regret. So even if that's all we are gonna get, I guess we should be thankful for those years. Not all are as lucky. I have hope that the chemo can ease the pains and extend her life for a good while longer, and I hope the quality of those days are favorable.

And to you, I wish for the best outcome available. We got at least nine yrs, and are looking forward to more.

[dmr]

11. You're going to get hit again for that deductible next month because it's another year.

That is if I understand you correctly. It just doesn't seem fair.

That happened to me before. I thought I could finally relax, & wouldn't you know it, a new year happened.

Wishing your wife the very best.

[Uben]

12. Yeah, that bites!

Money is the least our worries right now (I wish no one had to have that worry when battling this disease). I'd give every dime I have for one more day with this woman.