Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part II -GAGWTA!

[Pea-n-Me]

I can't say it any better than grammy did, luvmarypoppins. The running around part of this gets exhausting and irritating after a while. Hang in there, and be good to yourself over the next few days.

jsg, good deal on the battery. He cracks me up still going with the two cameras. I would be a basket case for sure. Just one is driving me batty.

As for the radiation issue, did your mother already sign the form saying she'd pay? That seems outrageous to me - she should not have to worry about that going into this phase of her treatment. I heard a similar story from a friend of mine a few months ago. When his mother was sick, she had to sign a form saying she'd pay $70K for a drug for her UC, the same one Laura takes, I believe, humira. My friend is an RN who works in research and he had to do a lot of fighting with a lot of people to get insurance to pay, which they finally did. But he was quite angry about the whole thing. I hope you don't have a simliar battle on your hands on your mother's behalf. I doubt it, but really, none of you should even have to go there.

Well I am officially, as of this minute, just about finished with everything I needed to get done for the holidays. I'm exhausted and broke. Bah Humbug.

 

[MerryPoppins]

Hi ladies.

I still have two gifts to pick up by the afternoon of the 26th. I need to get a bottle of wine for my brother's birthday and a gift certificate for BIL/SIL's Christmas. Both are easy. I still need to do some cooking in the next few days and most of my wrapping, but I'm really getting in the mood.

I'm sorry to hear about the losses. Sound like some really great people. Don't you just hate this beast? Losses during the holidays are even harder for families. My prayers go out to all.

Sounds like things are going pretty well for everyone. Hang in there.

We have our first family Christmas tomorrow evening. I'm taking goodies for after dinner. I still need to make cashew brittle and ranch oyster crackers tomorrow to go with what I've already made. It'll be a busy day because I need to sort out the correct gifts and wrap them all. Such fun!

Hugs and Merry Christmas wishes to you all!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I can't say it any better than grammy did, luvmarypoppins. The running around part of this gets exhausting and irritating after a while. Hang in there, and be good to yourself over the next few days.

jsg, good deal on the battery. He cracks me up still going with the two cameras. I would be a basket case for sure. Just one is driving me batty.

As for the radiation issue, did your mother already sign the form saying she'd pay? That seems outrageous to me - she should not have to worry about that going into this phase of her treatment. I heard a similar story from a friend of mine a few months ago. When his mother was sick, she had to sign a form saying she'd pay $70K for a drug for her UC, the same one Laura takes, I believe, humira. My friend is an RN who works in research and he had to do a lot of fighting with a lot of people to get insurance to pay, which they finally did. But he was quite angry about the whole thing. I hope you don't have a simliar battle on your hands on your mother's behalf. I doubt it, but really, none of you should even have to go there.

Well I am officially, as of this minute, just about finished with everything I needed to get done for the holidays. I'm exhausted and broke. Bah Humbug.

You think 2 cameras are bad? He wants a third! Apparently he mentioned it on some other boards and now we keep getting e-mails from people offering to sell him their cameras. Um, no. I refuse to PayPal $300 to some complete stranger and then wait for a camera to show up! No, no, no. Battery, fine. Third camera body? No way.

Yes, Mom already signed the paper saying she will pay OOP for the radiation. I tried to argue with her but she says it is "fine". I am not sure how much one dose of radiation costs, but I am sure if we multiply the cost by THIRTY it will be prohibitive. She said the Dr. will take it up with the insurace and the form is just a formality. I guess we'll see!

I am off work until Monday. Present are wrapped. I would like to make something sweet - maybe a Jell-o thing or a pie. We need groceries, too.

 

[laurabelle]

~~~***GAGWTA sistas***~~~

luvmarypoppins- I'm sorry you are dealing with more news right now...you know if you need a place to talk about it, we're here for you. You are smart to delegate what you can of this to your hubby. Especially the insurance co. stuff, that will take a big burden off of you. Anything that will free you up to focus on getting healthy. Your positive attitude is one of your biggest weapons! God put Psalm 91 on my heart the other day... I just prayed it for you.

Laurie- I'm so sorry about your loss. Kim is an inspiration...12yrs on a 6mo. prognosis is amazing. It's never long enough, but it sounds like she lived it! Good for her!!! I don't find it to be a downer, but simply a reminder that we all need to do our best to be fully alive, however long we're here. It's easy to get complacent, especially when we feel good, which is actually quite absurd! It's a hell of a lot easier to accomplish things when you feel good! Praying for Kim's hubby Dale and family...
I'm sure you are enjoying this time with your brother. to him! I hope the dogs are getting along. I'm glad Naj has only chosen one ornament!

Carol- GAGWTA and Merry Christmas!

Maureen- It sounds like you're in the Christmas Spirit!

Linda- I had a less hard time getting my ins. to pay for Remicade, which costs more than Humira, only because it was an "approved" treatment for my disease. The Humira was not. Anyway, I failed both of those pricey meds and now I'm on Methotrexate, but my ins. won't pay for it. They'll pay for the pill form, but I have to have injections. Thank God it's cheap though, I found Target had it $10 cheaper than my pharmacy, only $24!

Elizabeth- I'm also concerned about your mom signing that paper. I will say that she can EXPECT the ins. co. to deny her at first, seems to be standard procedure. Yes, they may have to fight hard for her. It must be expensive or the Ins. would have just paid it.

I bought a new camera over the weekend, ours died. It is nothing near what you guys use, just a point and shoot, but I had been researching and a good deal came up for it, so I got it. It's the Canon PowerShot A590 IS 8 Megapixel. It's supposed to come today!

Only 2 more cookies to bake, then it's casseroles, dips, ect... I enjoy cooking all these special dishes I don't usually make, so it's fun... but tiring. My cookie planning has worked well. I mixed up the doughs on Sun. and baked some yesterday and today and it's much easier than mixing and baking over and over. My kids are in school today, I've got the last big run to the grocery store, though I'm sure there will be something I forgot to pick up and will need to go out again tomorrow.

 

[snappy]

GAGWTA to the ladies on this thread

I am tired of the medical run around today. All I have been doing is be on the phone all day. I have to watch what I say because my youngest ds is around and dh and I have decided they dont have to know everything yet. Mostly stuff we learned on friday that I just dont feel like discussing yet, its the holidays and I am trying to be positive in the midst of all of this.

I am tired to talking to drs. offices etc. all day. Its hard since I go between the hospital, drs. offices, nurse practioners, appt, people, surgery people etc. Gosh, its never ending. After a few hours today I finally got an appt. with a endocronologist for March 4th!!! Wow, the np at the surgeon said it was o.k. This is a female and I guess she is pretty popular. They were going to give me some guy in Jan. I only said no because I told them the dates might interfere with the post op stuff etc. And they told me once I get one dr. I cant change etc. I dont like their rules for sure. So I am holding out for this dr. They said she also does biopsies if I need the R lymph nodes done in the future. The np said they might even get her to see me in the hospital if they see their is a great need and I am on the wait list for the regular office if there is a cancellation.

My other venture of the day was trying to see if they are paying for this nerve monitoring procedure on my neck and back in the operating room. When last I heard, they dont know me at the eeg place, they left a message with my surgeons ofrfice and they dont know if its covered under my insurance, they told me I could call hospital billing but they dont know the number to give me and suggested I call my ins. to see if the icd codes they gave me are covered procedures. Oh the joy, I think I will ask dh to call the ins. co tomm. My voice was almost gone. One lady said, I cant hear you. I said of course you cant, the tumor is crushing my trachea!! Gheesh. One lady was nice and said she is also a thyroid cancer survivor. Nice to hear the positive stuff. I need that now. I told her my case is " a little out of the box right now" , I couldnt explain with the ds there I told her. I dont know how much the dr. wrote in the paperwork she had,

I wish you all a blessed holiday season.

Sorry you are struggling with "the system."

I can appreciate how overwhelming it all is. My mom showed me a list she kept of all the trips to see doctors, have tests, and procedures.

She is at 23 visits so far since the first routine mammogram in late July.

I also wanted to tell you that my maternal grandma had thyroid cancer surgery in the late 60's or early 70's. It was very successful and she lived to a ripe old age, suffering at the end from congestive heart failure. My gyn discovered my thyroid nodules back in 1991, They always tested benign in needle biopsies and have shrunk a lot from synthroid meds when my TSH got out of whack in 2004.

I too think you are wise to delegate stuff to your husband. I bet he wants to help and the insurance issue is a great way he can pitch in.

Sounds like endocrinology might be a good specialty to go in these days for aspiring medical students.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

GAGWTA, Ladies! Christmas is coming! Guess I should clean something or bake something, huh?

Laura - Yay for finding your meds for a lower price!
I have an older model of that camera, and it suits me just fine! I think you will really enjoy it!

 

[drivencrazy]

Hello and a Thank You to all of you who helped me decide what to take over to my friend.

I decided to put a roast together, get it all ready to be cooked and take it over so they could put it in the oven and have dinner when they were ready!

I also packed a bag of goodies for my friend, I included a coloring book which was a hit. I figured since I didn't know what books she has read or is wanting to read... I would give her something else to keep her busy!

I was so happy to see her up and sitting at the table...... doing her makeup!! I am glad that she is feeling up to that already! She said that she is still in pain, but it's not to bad since she takes her meds.

Thanks for helping me know what to take for her. I also let her know that she can call whenever she needs and I am willing to take her whatever she should need. She has a wonderful supportive family and I know that is great too! Her mom was over cleaning her house, cause she "knows how to do it the right way!"

Merry Christmas Everyone!

 

[lookingforward]

Hi everyone, and happy holidays! I am sorry I have been out of touch lately...I am just trying to work full time and get my school work done. I have four more classes and i will have my Masters in Public Administration. Finally. I took an incomplete in my last class and am working hard to make up the work I need to.

For those who are remembering friends or family who have passed away my heart is with you. This holiday season is so difficult for me without my mom. I cry at least ten times a day and am just so sad. I hide it well at work but lose it in the middle of the night when all is quiet. Did anyone see the angel story on the Today show? Go to www.todayshow.com (search for angels) and you can see it. Its amazing. My sister and family are staying with my dad and we are going to do an Italian Christmas eve...lobster, shellfish, sauce, pasta, antipasto. Then on Christmas day we are doing a prime rib. Most of the work is falling to me and I am exhausted. My dad really wanted a quiet time but my sister pushed for family togetherness, so we are doing it for her. I would have preferred just being very quiet this year.

My daughter turned 10 yesterday. I used to get sad when she got a year older each year, now I am glad that she is one year closer to adulthood. I never even thought I would not see my children grow up and marry,e tc until breast cancer. Now I take nothing for granted. I realize how lucky we are to have time and relative good health. I am definately changed!

A cool disney marketing video can be personalized...go to www.sun7news.com and have fun!

I am thankful for each of you and the friendship, support and kindness you have shown me this past year. I truly cherish this group!

 

[laurabelle]

 

[laurabelle]

For those who are remembering friends or family who have passed away my heart is with you. This holiday season is so difficult for me without my mom. I cry at least ten times a day and am just so sad. I hide it well at work but lose it in the middle of the night when all is quiet.

My daughter turned 10 yesterday. I used to get sad when she got a year older each year, now I am glad that she is one year closer to adulthood. I never even thought I would not see my children grow up and marry,e tc until breast cancer. Now I take nothing for granted. I realize how lucky we are to have time and relative good health. I am definately changed!

I am thankful for each of you and the friendship, support and kindness you have shown me this past year. I truly cherish this group!

drivencrazy- I think the coloring book is genius!

 

[NHAnn]

Happy Christmas sisters and dear friends!!

It has been such a blur here, I can't believe Santa comes tonight! My niece's wedding in the 3 day snowstorm over the weekend was absolutely the most beautiful I've ever seen.

Laurie, my scrip for 25mcg of levothyroxine(sp??) (generic synthroid I guess) arrived in yesterday's mail. My head's still spinning from that call and the online reading I've done, have not had a chance yet to call the PCP back, or call my onc nurse from the clinical trial who needs to be notified, or see what i can find for an endo. I did not care at all for the local one DD saw a few years ago. Just looks at numbers, not at the patient, and if all #s are fine then you're fine. bleh. I'm o not into this right now. After the holidays I guess!!

Wishing you all peace and blessings this holiday season!!

 

[Sha]

I know I havent been around here much, but you are all never far from my mind.

I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas that is full of love and magic, peace and joy. I know that for some, there may be a reason that it may be a struggle to get through parts of the day. If that moment hits, may you feel the arms of love wrap around you and know how blessed I am knowing you, whether on here or in person.

Merry Christmas!

 

[snappy]

I know I havent been around here much, but you are all never far from my mind.

I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas that is full of love and magic, peace and joy. I know that for some, there may be a reason that it may be a struggle to get through parts of the day. If that moment hits, may you feel the arms of love wrap around you and know how blessed I am knowing you, whether on here or in person.

Merry Christmas!

Oh that was beautiful, Sha, you've brought me to happy tears.

You are a wonder.

Tell mom hi and I hope to see her again someday soon.

Lookingforward, maybe the business will be good to help you get through. Your meals sound divine. We are blessed to have you among us.

Ann, my endo is not very warm and fuzzy either but he is competent and also an internist so he treats me for high blood pressure too. Actually, I do think that symptoms that you report are just as important as the numbers in the thyroid world. My doc titrated me up from the 25 mg at least 6 times, very gradually. It is a pain to go regularly, but this time I have a 6 month hiatus. YES!!! He also has me do an ultrsound annually but that is for the nodules. The worst part of this is the extreme tiredness and weight gain.

Merry Christmas to all you ladies so near and dear to my heart. I could not do it all without you.

Thanks for the loving posts for Kim. I am glad you all saw the positives in the telling of that story.

 

[grammynelliebelle]

A very wonderful Christmas to all of you sisters and your families. I wish you all peace, freedom from any anxieties and blessings. You all have been a blessing to me. Over and out now until Dec 26th! Have to get ready for Santa's visit! GAGWTA! Grammy

 

[grammynelliebelle]

A very wonderful Christmas to all of you sisters and your families. I wish you all peace, freedom from any anxieties and blessings. You all have been a blessing to me. Over and out now until Dec 26th! Have to get ready for Santa's visit! GAGWTA! Grammy

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Wisihing you all a Merrry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season.

Laurabelle - Thank you so much for that prayer

Tomm. will be just so hard for me. Yest. I tried to throw some hints to the ds but I know the youngest didnt get it and the oldest had tears in his eyes again, so I think he is getting my hints about stuff. The middle ds just cracked jokes to make me smile. I got a card from a girl whos sister and dd I ran into at the hospital. We were doing alot of hugging and crying then. This dd has alot of shunt problems and is having surgery 12/29. The card said I am praying for a miracle for you etc. Very sweet.

We are going to the candelight service tonight at church and then doing our reg. family christmas stuff and dinner. I didnt shop at all. Dh said he might take me later. I get tired really easy and its hard to breathe.

Enjoy your day tomm. and thank you all so very much for the positive thoughts, friendship and encouragement of all the ladies here. Bless you all.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Wishing all of you and your families a wonderful holiday!!

Thank you so much for welcoming me into your group and providing so much support and info over the past 9 months. I am so very lucky to count you all among my friends!

Maureen - Extra hugs to you because I know it must be so hard for you to be without your mom.

 

[annrae]

I am sitting at the computer reading your posts with tears in my eyes and sometimes a smile on my face. You are all such special people who make me laugh and cry at the same time. I've had the privilege of meeting Laura, her sister and Marsha (from Coping and Compassion) and also Dan. From reading all of your posts, I actually feel like I "know" most of you.

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this holiday time who are hurting in one way or another. May the happiness of family, the joys of friendship and the warmth of love surround all of you in the coming days and into the New Year.

Hugs, Barbara

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Oh my gosh, I agree, reading all these beautiful posts has me teary. What a special group of people here. I also consider it an honor, a blessing, and a priveledge to count each of you as my friends. I thank you for being a bright part of my daily life - I look forward to "visiting" with you each day. I'm so glad we have eachother for support! Wishing all of you a blessed Christmas with your loved ones.

For those who are remembering friends or family who have passed away my heart is with you.

Maureen, thank you. Same with you. It will be a bittersweet night tonight in DH's family and with my cousin tomorrow, but I think everyone seems to be in a good frame of mind.

Also a special to those undergoing testing, or in treatment.

My daughter turned 10 yesterday. I used to get sad when she got a year older each year, now I am glad that she is one year closer to adulthood. I never even thought I would not see my children grow up and marry,e tc until breast cancer. Now I take nothing for granted. I realize how lucky we are to have time and relative good health.

I completely agree. Happy Birthday to your DD.

Have a wonderful Christmas, everyone.

 

[CherylDan]

Merry Christmas, everyone! I too would just like to say that this thread has been such a help to me over the past two years or so. Thank you to all the ladies here for being such a great support to me and each other. Even though I'm not posting as much as I'd like, I do keep everyone in my thoughts. I hope everyone has a happy holiday.....and for those of us who are missing loved ones today, I hope the day still will bring some joy.

LOL, apparently, according to my ticker, I'm off to Disney really soon! I don't know why, but this trip has really just snuck up on me. Other than some dinner reservations, I have absolutely no plans made. That is SO NOT like me.....could prove to be interesting, with the Christmas crowds and all!

GAGWTA!!!! and a very Merry Christmas to each of you!