Surgery on Hold

vangbi
vangbi Member Posts: 62
edited February 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1

 Treatment on hold until I can get into Va as they will not pay for outside treatments. So waiting for appointment with them hope its soon. Need to go with them as eliminates out of pocket costs other than meds that will take some stress off financially. also hear one of the Doctors very blunt and will tell you like it is no feeling around edges I think I might like knowing exactly whats up.

Comments

  • thxmiker
    thxmiker Member Posts: 1,278 Member
    Keep up the good fight!   If

    Keep up the good fight!   If you have found a great doctor then stick with them!

     

    Best Always,  mike

     

    PS  Keep in touch with your progress!

  • fatbob2010
    fatbob2010 Member Posts: 467 Member
    Wow

    Van.

    Seems like a big change, being referred back to the VA.  

    Please, keep us up-to-date on your progress.

    Best of luck,

    Art

     

  • vangbi
    vangbi Member Posts: 62

    Wow

    Van.

    Seems like a big change, being referred back to the VA.  

    Please, keep us up-to-date on your progress.

    Best of luck,

    Art

     

    Yes big change but I think

    Yes big change but I think for better as it will take some stress financially off us and let me concentrate more on treatment.

  • devotion10
    devotion10 Member Posts: 623 Member
    vangbi said:

    Yes big change but I think

    Yes big change but I think for better as it will take some stress financially off us and let me concentrate more on treatment.

    I like your attitude vangbi ...

    considering finances as you enter this journey is important and you are right that decreasing your stress can be helpful.  I am sure you will be in good hands at the vet hospital. Where I live, we have a large vet hospital and many of the doctor's have privileges at the other hospital in town also.

    Peace and hi to Chester. ~ Cynthia

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    It's smart to take finances into consideration...

    it is another piece of the whole cancer puzzle, and you have to assume you will be around a long time, and are going to need a little money in the years to come.  But I would be on the phone to the VA on a regular basis, as well, if it was me...just to make sure they don't forget about you!

    Keep us posted on how things are going~AA

  • fatbob2010
    fatbob2010 Member Posts: 467 Member
    Good Point AA

    Thr VA is a large organization and you may do well to start learning as much as you can about it.  Just waiting to get in is not a plan i would encourage.  Consider possibly joinnig a support group with other veterans to share concerns and hear how others have resolved similar issues.  Please talk to a veteran service officer about possibly having this rated as a service connected disability.  Learn all you can about your benefits.  

    I have found that there is a shared responsibility between any large organization and the user.

    Best wishes,

    Art 

  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    That's tough putting surgery

    That's tough putting surgery on hold but for the right reasons. Keep us posted.

  • vangbi
    vangbi Member Posts: 62
     First appt at VA this

     First appt at VA this thursday picked up lots of medical records interesting reading found out I have a cracked rib I didnt know about also found out cea is 9.5  not sure if thats good or bad. Also saw that they noted other spots and masses that they didnt mention hopefully i will find out more Thursday. 

  • UncleBuddy
    UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member
    vangbi said:

     First appt at VA this

     First appt at VA this thursday picked up lots of medical records interesting reading found out I have a cracked rib I didnt know about also found out cea is 9.5  not sure if thats good or bad. Also saw that they noted other spots and masses that they didnt mention hopefully i will find out more Thursday. 

    The waiting stinks!

    I think the waiting is the hardest part for family and friends. Thinking ahead about finances is a necessity because as AA said, you have to look at this as if you'll be around for a long time. None of us know when it's going to be our time, so it's good to look to a long future. 

    I don't know why they didn't tell you there were other spots. Is it possible that they told you, but you didn't catch it because you were overwhelmed. I always go with my brother and take notes. If I think it's something really serious, I make my sister come so there are two people there to understand what is going on (my brother is intellectually disabled). It's a good idea to bring someone with you to visits and to also bring a notebook to take information down. I also asked them to print out the meds he's on so if he is hopspitalized, they know exactly what he's taking (including the chemo meds). It has helped me with several of his hospitalizations.

    Good luck to you.

    Lin

  • vangbi
    vangbi Member Posts: 62

    The waiting stinks!

    I think the waiting is the hardest part for family and friends. Thinking ahead about finances is a necessity because as AA said, you have to look at this as if you'll be around for a long time. None of us know when it's going to be our time, so it's good to look to a long future. 

    I don't know why they didn't tell you there were other spots. Is it possible that they told you, but you didn't catch it because you were overwhelmed. I always go with my brother and take notes. If I think it's something really serious, I make my sister come so there are two people there to understand what is going on (my brother is intellectually disabled). It's a good idea to bring someone with you to visits and to also bring a notebook to take information down. I also asked them to print out the meds he's on so if he is hopspitalized, they know exactly what he's taking (including the chemo meds). It has helped me with several of his hospitalizations.

    Good luck to you.

    Lin

     Met with PCP did lab tests

     Met with PCP did lab tests and set up Appointment with anticoagulation DR. The PCP also made arrangements with Oncolagist and surgeon so they can set up appointments to see them so VA moving ahead quickly. 

  • devotion10
    devotion10 Member Posts: 623 Member
    vangbi said:

     Met with PCP did lab tests

     Met with PCP did lab tests and set up Appointment with anticoagulation DR. The PCP also made arrangements with Oncolagist and surgeon so they can set up appointments to see them so VA moving ahead quickly. 

    Smile Cynthia

  • vangbi
    vangbi Member Posts: 62
    vangbi said:

     Met with PCP did lab tests

     Met with PCP did lab tests and set up Appointment with anticoagulation DR. The PCP also made arrangements with Oncolagist and surgeon so they can set up appointments to see them so VA moving ahead quickly. 

    VA moving along good Appt

    VA moving along good Appt with oncoligist set for weds with labs being done tuesday and meeting with anticoagulation dr tues