Need support and direction, really concerned! Newcomer here. Please read.

Hope4best

Hi, my name is Joanna, this is my second post in the last couple of days. I have been reading some of your posts and stories. I am having symptoms of relapse and I am really having a difficult time with it. I was diagnosed in 08 with rare type of Large T Cell Lymphoma. I did very well with treatment. My last treatment was Aug. 14, 2009. At the time I had a job and insurance, and a car. In the last few months my life has taken on new direction. My position was eliminated in April of 2011 and by June 20, 2011 I had a better paying position. I was able to pay for cobra. I went to the company nurse a couple of times not feeling well. I gave her my history, I lost that job Oct 20, 2011 with no reason for my dismissal, they would not give me a reason. Now I am unemployed with no insurance. I could not afford the cobra this time so that is why I have no ins. now. About a week and a half ago retuning from visiting one of the joys of my life, my 5 year old niece, my car started acting up. My transmission is gone, the car was not worth repairing and I sold it fortunately. Now I am looking for another one. In the midst of all of this I had started to become concerned about relapse. In the last month I have begun to itch and I had a cold, now I have swelling on the right side of my neck. I did have a blood test right after the itching began on Jan. 20th to check the LDH level at my request. The level was 166 liver and kidney function good. I am so nervous and have been for quite some time. My friends think I am just stressing and nothing is wrong with me. I don't really know what to do. No car and no insurance. I need prayers for sure, I am a born again believer and I know God is the one who decides our fate, it is still scary. I can't sleep, I went to bed last night or this morning rather at 4:25am and I was awake at 8 am something tossing and turning so I got up and started reading your posts. Please give me any guidance and know that I am prone to panic so be gentle. Thank you. J

shelbymae

Hope4best,
Unfortunately I
Hope4best,
Unfortunately I am not wise enough to give you guideance but I am a good listener if that would be of any comfort to you.
I have been in remission for one yr and still go see my Oncologist every 4 months and before every visit to my Oncologist I really get nervous.
I too as so many of us have gone through bad times. I am no longer able to wrk and have so many health issues...gets frustrating at times.
All of us are unique in the way we feel...your friends unless they have been through what you have been through can't relate to your feelings.
As you know God answers all our prayers...in his own time and in his own way.
Take care,
ShelbyMae

anliperez915

Hi Joanna
Hi Joanna,
Sorry that your stressing out and that everything is not going well for you. Sometimes it feels like its always something, but everything will turn out well for you. Have you tried to get state medicaid or any type of assistance? (Sometimes we just have to swallow our pride) I had to because my husbands work doesn't provide health insurance and since I'm not rich I had to go and ask for medicaid. I thank God for this types of programs because I wouldn't know what to do if I didn't have them. I also got SSI for right now and that is some type of financial help. I will be praying that God helps you in your time of need. Take care of yourself

Sincerely,
Liz

allmost60

Welcome Joanna
Sounds like you definetely have your plate full which is causing so much stress. Stress is very hard on our immune system and the sooner you can minimize it , the better. It's easy to say calm down, or everything will be ok, but as we both know, this cancer situation is not easy on so many levels. Try to tackle each stress factor one at a time if you can. When we try to do everything all at once, we usually don't succeed at getting things done and just make our situation more miserable. Maybe you should talk to your doctor about taking something mild for anxiety. Please keep sharing and we will help, listen, and give advice as best we can. Best wishes...Sue (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)

miss maggie

help is there
Dear Joanna,

I am so very sorry for everything happening all at once. It can be so overwelming.

Right now I am in remission and under the care of a wonderful oncologist from a
well known cancer hospital. I do worry about my future and worry if my health
should change and I would need another opinion.. I live in NY and have access to other well known cancer hospitals. No need to travel. Every so often when I hear of a well known doctor specializing in Lymphoma, I check the doctor's site to see if he accepts my insurance coverage. Each doctor has a list of health plans, and MEDICAID is accepted also.

Please listen to Liz. She is so sweet and honest. There is help out there. I am so
glad she is getting the help she deserves.

Keep us posted and make the necessary phone calls. Love Maggie