Finally my sister's report

Lynn Smith
Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
in Breast Cancer #1
It's been 6 weeks since her double mascetomy(cancer in both Breasts).She finally had a appt with her oncologist. Her dx is Stage 2 A&B.One or more lymph nodes involved on one side,other side OK .She starts chemo on the 18th of this month.She's to have a test done.Not sure if it will be before or after her chemo treatment. The doctor thinks it's spread but we're thinking postive.If it spread she will be Stage 4.

This took quite sometime since her appointments have been spread far apart and her surgery she postponed till after the Family Reunion.Finally her surgery/reconstruction was the end of July but it took all this time for her to see the oncologist. A long wait IMO.

We know her dx, her treatment but need to find out if it's spread. It's a big jump from Stage 2 to possibly Stage 4(IF the tests show the cancer has spread).

Lynn Smith

Comments

  • salls41
    salls41 Member Posts: 340
    #2
    Wow
    that does seem like a long time to see her oncologist! I will keep her in my prayers. Thank you for your update, please let us know more as you get the info!
    {{{Hugs}}}
    Sandy
  • weazer
    weazer Member Posts: 440
    #3
    salls41 said:

    Wow
    that does seem like a long time to see her oncologist! I will keep her in my prayers. Thank you for your update, please let us know more as you get the info!
    {{{Hugs}}}
    Sandy

    Hmmmmm
    I'm with Sandy that is a long wait.
    Lynn keep us posted, Lots of Prayers and Hugs.
    Karie
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #4
    salls41 said:

    Wow
    that does seem like a long time to see her oncologist! I will keep her in my prayers. Thank you for your update, please let us know more as you get the info!
    {{{Hugs}}}
    Sandy

    I will be praying for your
    I will be praying for your sister. Thanks for updating us.


    Hugs, Kylez
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #5
    Kylez said:

    I will be praying for your
    I will be praying for your sister. Thanks for updating us.


    Hugs, Kylez

    Thank you for the update.
    Thank you for the update. Your sister is in my prayers. Any more news?
  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    #6
    Kristin N said:

    Thank you for the update.
    Thank you for the update. Your sister is in my prayers. Any more news?

    Finally
    Finally some news.I believe I mentioned chemo was to start Tues.Well she found out she is Stage 2 AB.Not Stage 4 like the doctor thought. They did a X ray to see if it spread.It hasn't. She had the scan Monday.Then Tues was chemo.She gets there and insurance won't pay for it.I guess the doctor wanted to give her the results in person and tell her about the insurance problem.

    The doctor is sending her to another hospital.Cheaper and also works with patients when insurance won't pay.The cost for each treatment would be $5.000 but if all goes like it should she only pays $200.The rest will be covered in some way.The other hospital is working with her.

    Now the wait.From what she said it will be 3 weeks before she knows anything about getting help.Then chemo.It was 3 or 4 treatments.

    I guess we all should check what insurance pays.She just got this insurance right before her cancer dx.

    She's met some survivors and they are going on a retreat for a weekend. They talked about their problems,foods to eat etc. She's into it.She's a go getter, single and does everything under the sun. Never home.

    Lynn Smith
  • pinkkari09
    pinkkari09 Member Posts: 877
    #7
    Hi Lynn, I'm glad things are
    Hi Lynn, I'm glad things are moving along for your sister. Let her know she has a fan club right here as well:)
    Hugs and Miles of Love,
    ~Kari
  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    #8
    pinkkari09 said:

    Hi Lynn, I'm glad things are
    Hi Lynn, I'm glad things are moving along for your sister. Let her know she has a fan club right here as well:)
    Hugs and Miles of Love,
    ~Kari

    Kari
    Thank You.I will tell her.I hope the chemo gets approved soon.Glad it will be only 3 treatments.She is the type that let's nothing worry her but I'm sure it's different on the inside.

    Lynn Smith
  • Eleanor1
    Eleanor1 Member Posts: 68
    #9
    Lynn Smith said:

    Kari
    Thank You.I will tell her.I hope the chemo gets approved soon.Glad it will be only 3 treatments.She is the type that let's nothing worry her but I'm sure it's different on the inside.

    Lynn Smith

    Hy lyn, my prayers to your
    Hy lyn, my prayers to your sister and to the whole family.
  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #10
    Lynn Smith said:

    Finally
    Finally some news.I believe I mentioned chemo was to start Tues.Well she found out she is Stage 2 AB.Not Stage 4 like the doctor thought. They did a X ray to see if it spread.It hasn't. She had the scan Monday.Then Tues was chemo.She gets there and insurance won't pay for it.I guess the doctor wanted to give her the results in person and tell her about the insurance problem.

    The doctor is sending her to another hospital.Cheaper and also works with patients when insurance won't pay.The cost for each treatment would be $5.000 but if all goes like it should she only pays $200.The rest will be covered in some way.The other hospital is working with her.

    Now the wait.From what she said it will be 3 weeks before she knows anything about getting help.Then chemo.It was 3 or 4 treatments.

    I guess we all should check what insurance pays.She just got this insurance right before her cancer dx.

    She's met some survivors and they are going on a retreat for a weekend. They talked about their problems,foods to eat etc. She's into it.She's a go getter, single and does everything under the sun. Never home.

    Lynn Smith

    Good News ...
    Dear Lynn,

    I am glad that your sister will be able to have the chemo and that some program will pay. I have read that there are many programs who will help when there is no insurance.

    Confused about the x-ray. Did they suspect lung metastasis? I didn't think they did x-ray to check for possible spreading anymore. Well it was good news that she isn't stage IV. Sounds like she is a very active person and enjoys life to the hilt. As it should be.

    Wishing her and you the best,

    Doris
  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    #11
    Eleanor1 said:

    Hy lyn, my prayers to your
    Hy lyn, my prayers to your sister and to the whole family.

    Doris
    Yes the doctor did suspect it had spread.He leaned more to it but a few others in the family said we wanted him to be wrong.So her doctor and her daughter leaned towards it spreading but me, my sister and her son-in-law said "No it didn't". The doctor still has some doubt and thinks it may have spread.He said if it has it's minimal.I guess if she has to wait 3 weeks for help in getting chemo paid she'll be safe.

    She has insurance but it won't pay for chemo.She changed companies just over a month before her dx.Something everyone should check.

    Lynn Smith
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #12
    Lynn Smith said:

    Doris
    Yes the doctor did suspect it had spread.He leaned more to it but a few others in the family said we wanted him to be wrong.So her doctor and her daughter leaned towards it spreading but me, my sister and her son-in-law said "No it didn't". The doctor still has some doubt and thinks it may have spread.He said if it has it's minimal.I guess if she has to wait 3 weeks for help in getting chemo paid she'll be safe.

    She has insurance but it won't pay for chemo.She changed companies just over a month before her dx.Something everyone should check.

    Lynn Smith

    I guess I just always
    I guess I just always thought that insurance would pay for chemo. Thanks Lynn for informing us that it doesn't always. I am hoping that her new insurance will decide to pay for her chemo. Wishing her the best and you too!


    Hugs, Lex
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #13
    Lynn Smith said:

    Doris
    Yes the doctor did suspect it had spread.He leaned more to it but a few others in the family said we wanted him to be wrong.So her doctor and her daughter leaned towards it spreading but me, my sister and her son-in-law said "No it didn't". The doctor still has some doubt and thinks it may have spread.He said if it has it's minimal.I guess if she has to wait 3 weeks for help in getting chemo paid she'll be safe.

    She has insurance but it won't pay for chemo.She changed companies just over a month before her dx.Something everyone should check.

    Lynn Smith

    double post

    double post
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #14
    Eleanor1 said:

    Hy lyn, my prayers to your
    Hy lyn, my prayers to your sister and to the whole family.

    I'm sending my prayers to
    I'm sending my prayers to your sister too Lynn.


    Hugs, Debby
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #15
    SIROD said:

    Good News ...
    Dear Lynn,

    I am glad that your sister will be able to have the chemo and that some program will pay. I have read that there are many programs who will help when there is no insurance.

    Confused about the x-ray. Did they suspect lung metastasis? I didn't think they did x-ray to check for possible spreading anymore. Well it was good news that she isn't stage IV. Sounds like she is a very active person and enjoys life to the hilt. As it should be.

    Wishing her and you the best,

    Doris

    This is awful that her
    This is awful that her insurance won't pay for chemo. Has she talked to the ACS or the cancer center? Sometimes they have grants that will help or totally pay for treatment for those that need help.


    Hugs to you and your sister,


    Noel
  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    #16
    DebbyM said:

    I'm sending my prayers to
    I'm sending my prayers to your sister too Lynn.


    Hugs, Debby

    Lex
    My sister always had good insurance when she was married.No worries.After the divorce she got her own.Just before dx she changed to this new insurance. She found the tumor in May(told me first) then her kids at a get together for Mother's Day.The insurance paid for her surgery/reconstruction etc.Then it came time for the chemo and it was denied. She'll get treatment at the other hospital.Just not sure how long it will take.They quoted her she will pay $200 and they pay the remainder for chemo.

    My husband had the best insurance for years.Never paid deductible.2 years ago his company told the employees vote this way(a $4500 deductible if you want to keep your jobs).Of Course they take it.Now I have to pay the first $4500 for treatmants etc.Tnank Goodness we have money saved up but it's interferred with my treatment.Doctors have changed the way they treat me to keep cost down.I am 65 but seems I still pay.Don't know why Medicare won't pay the bill.I get tired of calling. Husband still works.Might be why??I still have a benign tumor in my cancerous breast because I would have to pay for the surgery.Of course it's watched.

    Lynn Smith
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #17
    Lynn Smith said:

    Lex
    My sister always had good insurance when she was married.No worries.After the divorce she got her own.Just before dx she changed to this new insurance. She found the tumor in May(told me first) then her kids at a get together for Mother's Day.The insurance paid for her surgery/reconstruction etc.Then it came time for the chemo and it was denied. She'll get treatment at the other hospital.Just not sure how long it will take.They quoted her she will pay $200 and they pay the remainder for chemo.

    My husband had the best insurance for years.Never paid deductible.2 years ago his company told the employees vote this way(a $4500 deductible if you want to keep your jobs).Of Course they take it.Now I have to pay the first $4500 for treatmants etc.Tnank Goodness we have money saved up but it's interferred with my treatment.Doctors have changed the way they treat me to keep cost down.I am 65 but seems I still pay.Don't know why Medicare won't pay the bill.I get tired of calling. Husband still works.Might be why??I still have a benign tumor in my cancerous breast because I would have to pay for the surgery.Of course it's watched.

    Lynn Smith

    I hope the insurance will
    I hope the insurance will come thru very soon for your sister and she can get chemo Lynn. And, that is awful that you have to pay that much for a deductible. I understand the employees wanting to keep their jobs, but, that is just way too high.

    Sending my best to you and your sister,


    Lex

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