November 2009-Starting Chemo

suzieq60

Nette: My goodness rads are expensive over there!!! Radiation is not covered by private health insurance here and part is refunded by the government Medicare office. One whole week of treatments only costs $637. Because I have reached the safety net, my out of pocket each week is only $41.

When my DH had surgery/chemo twice our health insurance paid out over $100,000, then we lost count. My herceptin treatment costs $75,000 but is paid for by the government. So far the statements I have received from the health insurance company haven't been very high in total. Looks like one chemo treatment cost a bit over $700 for the day hospital fee and the oncologist.

Sue

JustmeAlicia

My mole check was visual.  He used a light and a magnifying lens type of thing.  He was very thorough...in between my toes, soles of my feet, between my fingers.  A bit strange someone looking so closely at you while you are in your panties!!!!!!!  All is good though, nothing alarming.  He said I have above average sun exposure (no surprise to me - I LOVE the sun and am all tan from the cruise right now)  LOL  but don't have a ton of moles.  I see him next year.  Another dr appointment done ~  I still have dr bills, chemo bills sitting in a pile.  The joys of cancer.

Nite all !

micheleboots

Sue, way to go....so nice to be done rads....

this has been a busy group this week...

I haven't brushed my hair in months...I just fluff with a towel and slick it down with my hands...I forgot to slick it down las week and I looked like a chia pet....not pretty.

Here in Canada we are lucky not to see any medical bills... I would be curious to know what the whole thing cost...

Hope you all are having a great weekend.  Here it is a long weekend...yahoo

suzieq60

Michele: Can you buy private health insurance over there? We have public and private hospitals. Unfortunately, I personally don't think it's safe to go into one of the public ones and the waiting lists are ridiculous. I could have gone to a public hospital for the radiation treatment for free but decided I would rather pay. I knew going in to it that it would cost me about $1200 and thought it was a small price to pay.

I must work out how much surgery etc has cost me. Last count it was over 3,500 but once I add on the radiation, it will be quite a bit more. At least I paid absolutely nothing for the chemo treatments as they bill the insurance co directly and only charge the scheduled fee. Sugery etc was another matter - there are huge gaps. I paid the anaethetist $500 and only got back a bit over $200 and that was with insurance!! The hospital was free though - paid for by the insurance.

Anyway enough raving, hope you all are enjoying the weekend.

Sue

doronet

Michele:  Funny you should mention that you were curious to know how much it all cost...I just happen to figure up yesterday what it cost for me for radiation and chemo, separate and together.  My situation is a little different since I am insured through the military's insurance.  We also have a supplement to that, just for high-cost medical treatments like this one, and there are deductibles for both insurances and a 20% co-pay.  After I reach a cap of $3000 of co-pays, the insurance pays 100%.  (Confused yet?)  I met the $3000 1/2 way through the treatments.  In my figuring, I did not figure up the cost of the initial mammo, biopsy, or the 3 surgeries and the final port removal.  I only figured up the radiation and the chemo with the the medications:  The chemo doc billed $43,000 and radiation billed $$62,000.  I want to add up the other costs, too, to see what the entire cost of this was. 

Guess ya just can't afford to have cancer if you don't have insurance.  : P

mabelle

WOW - I would never have been able to pay for any of these treatments! I don't feel so bad paying my high taxes anymore. I sure have used up my share!!

My hair is still not coming in! I'm getting a bit impatient to see some growth! and still no trace of any eyebrow hair. I went out and bought some pricey brow powder and a fancy angled application brush - I spent over an hour practicing "painting" on fake brows - when I showed my family, they all laughed (the brows did look pretty stupid in retrospect). Apparently drawn on eyebrows don't look all that natural! 

I am not feeling better yet. Still really (REALLY) tired, and pretty achey all over. When does it start getting better? I'm only 2.5 weeks out from my last dose of chemo... so I know its still early, but WHEN does it start getting better??!!

My first rad appointment is on Tuesday. One hour with the doc then another hour for the CT scan and whatever else they do. I'm a bit nervous about it all - but if you all got through it... so can I. You gals give me strength!!

Have a happy Sunday! 

suzieq60

Wow, I still can't get over how they can charge so much for the radiation over there. Highway robbery!!!!

doronet

Here's the latest:

suzieq60

Nette - I'm SO jealous - it looks fantastic!!!

doronet

: Thank you, Suepen. 

Mabelle:  try putting the eye liner on the pad of a finger and running it over the eyebrow area.  That worked for me when I was eyebrow-less and it looked more natural.  I wonder why you haven't started growing hair yet.  hmmmm.

Hope everyone had a great weekend.  Nette 

JustmeAlicia

Nette ~ LOOKING fine girl !  It looks like a hairstyle now. 

Mabelle ~ You will feel better each day.  It takes time.  I was frustrated in the beginning too.  I am now a little more then 3 months pfc and feel great !  Be patient.  I know it's hard.  Your hair and eyebrows will start growing with a vengence soon !  Hang in there.

Hugs !

Melinda41

Nette: Great looking hair!!

Mabelle: I just want to give you a hug ((Mabelle))

BrendaSharon

Happy Monday Warrior Women,

I had too nice a weekend, didn't want it to end, but good thing it did as I am exhausted. WOW, I sue seemed to have missed a lot with you fine ladies. 

Nette,

You hair is looking awesome, you got that cool punk rock look going on!! I love the color, so rich!

Maybelle,

Good luck with your rad treatments. Remember to use the cream they give you and start using it right away at least three times a day. Even when you don't think you need it, use it!!! It does help prevent the burn and peel. What I didn't realize is to continue to use it when done. Even now, I'm 5 weeks after my last rad boost, can you believe my nipple just finished peeling and the side where they boosted me is peeling like crazy even now!!!!~~~~It is gross looking. I should have kept using it, so it's my fault for getting comfortable.

Well I went Friday for yet another port flush, I cried my eyes out, but still don't know when in he$$ they will decide when to let me get the thing out. I was so nervous about the flush when she stuck me with the needle my tenseness made me get a charlie horse in the middle of my back. I screamed (yelped) twice. I was so embarrassed to have done that in front of all the other girls receiving their chemo TX's. The nurse was like: did that really hurt? are you alright? what can we do? I said I want this out, yes it hurts me every time, and I'll be alright when this is all over~~~~

My hubby sat by my side trying to calm me down as he rubbed my back hoping to ease my pains. Then he decided he better just take me to dinner. He knew I wouldn't want to cook.

Michele,

You know even if you don't need to brush your hair, omg does it feel good to run a baby brush through it. You know it's different then when our hair is long and the scalp is totally covered. It's like a new fresh area being touched and it feels just sooooo good!! Gotta try it!!~

Alicia,

Are we all supposed to get mole checks after all this? No one ever mentioned anything to me.

Sue,

I hope you are beginning to heal well. I'm so sorry you have to deal with such pain in that area under your boob. I know it has to hurt. BUT, I am such a baby. ((gentle hugs))

A good week to all~~~

doronet

Thanks for all the compliments on my hairy head.

BrendaShar:  Do you still have the EMLA cream?  Can you use it when you get the port flush to keep the needle stick from hurting?  I have renewed my prescription for the cream so I will have it for any future blood draws, contrasts, or anytime when a needle is involved and I will use it without hesitation!

Mabelle is probably going to end up with more hair than all of us combined!!!  

cat60

THe Emla Cream does help , after I started using it , I said to myself WHY didnt the nurses or Dr. tell me about this sooner ! I found this out on this site...TG...there is one nurse who cannot ever seem to get the draw without me standing on my head, laying down , then she had to draw blood out of arm, and missed the vein and that spot bruised !! yeek, when I see she is going to be my nurse , I cringe !! Anyway. now its only every 3 weeks for Herceptin.

I posted a new photo to show you all my hair but not sure how to post under a reply ??  Im the one with SILVER Hair,  all my friends came up yesterday for my Friend Sues 50th Bday....I should have had them take one of just me but I thought you could see My girlfriends who have been there for me throughout this....

My friends here are special too !!

MaryNY

Nette: Can the Emla (Lidocaine) be used for blood draws in the arm too? I used it during chemo to numb the port and it worked wonderfully. The first time I had the port accessed, I didn't yet have the Rx for lidocaine and it hurt like hell, but all the later ones were easy with the help of the cream.

Cathy: To add a photo to your reply, you need to post your photos online first (outside of bc.org) and then link to that. There are lots of sites where you can create a free account -- www.flickr.com, www.photobucket.com are a couple of options. For speed in uploading, you might want to reduce your photo size first.

Once you have a photo hosted on one of those sites, right-click the photo and copy the URL (in photobucket use the direct link), then click the picture link (tree icon) in your message, paste the URL ... that's pretty much it. Preview your picture and if you think it's too big, right click, go to image properties and halve the dimensions.

micheleboots

Nette, wow that is like a wig on your head...you have the rock star thing going on...

Mabelle, big hugs to you,...it will be over before you know it.

suzieq60

Brenda: My boob doesn't hurt at all luckily. Looks like it's healing nicely. I am remembering to put cream on the rest of it still.

I know I didn't need a brush either but it does feel good to be able to brush it with something.

Mabelle: Have you thought about getting some Nioxin. I'm using it. It doesn't make your hair grow but makes the scalp healthy. They have a follicle booster also, which I use twice a day.

It seems strange to not have to get up and go for rads every morning but I'll get used to it. My back went out again so looks like I'll be doing a few more physio visits than intended.

Sue

doronet

Mary:  Absolutely, the EMLA cream works for blood draws, too.  I found some thin, clear band aids that are only sticky on the border.  They look like a piece of plastic wrap.  I put the cream on the crook of my arm and then put one of those band aids over it until I get the needle stick.  Just like with the port, you don't feel anything.  It is definitely my best friend!!  I had blood drawn for a cholesterol test and used the EMLA cream ahead of time.  When the lab tech saw the "band aid" she laughed, but I just stared at her and very sternly said, "I don't like needles."  And she stopped laughing. Definitely use it!

I use the Nioxin for my scalp, too, though I use the one for "Fine hair."  My DD said she has never felt my hair so soft.  However, she has never seen my hair grow from scratch, either. 

Have a good evening!  Nette

MaryNY

Thanks Nette. I'll have to remember that tip for the next blood draw. That is once I have the port removed.

Melinda41

No posts on our thread yesterday, I hope that means everyone is enjoying their spring and new hair and no treatments for those of you who are done.

I have started back on weight watchers to try and lose these chemo, lemon cake, fried corn nugget, crab rangoon pounds.

My PET is next week, I am having some anxiety with the limbo, am I better, am I worse, I am obsessing with crocheting since it keeps my brain occupied.

My fingernails are doing something weird, they are turning very white from the bottom towards the tip, I hope this doesn't mean they are seperating from the nail bed, I can't imagine them popping off, that just sounds painful.

Hope everyone is great!!

BrendaSharon

Melinda,

My nails done the same thing and they are OK!!!!!

But, my brain went to the same place as yours.

Yesterday I took a day off from pposting, have to let the head rest sometimes.  :-)

((((Hugs))))

JustmeAlicia

Melinda ~ try not to worry about the scan.  My new theory is I "try" not to worry unless I have something concrete to worry about !  I have my first 3 month check up, blood draw and check for tumor markers today !  I was feeling a bit stressed out this am, and decided it is a great time to start back at the gym.  SO I just did an hour at the gym.  I feel invigoriated.  So hoping like you to burn off some of the cookies, ice cream, pasta --- comfort food I have been indulging in for months.  Hang in there Melinda I have a feeling all will be good for YOU !  I hope and pray it is so.

Brenda and everyone hope you are all living life ~ and getting back to some type of normal day by day.  I know I am trying hard!! 

Hugs ~

Alicia

BrendaSharon

Alicia,

Will you please tell me what "Tumor markers" are?

GOOD for you with working out, I need to do so myself.

Thanks, Brenda

Melinda41

I also would like more info on "tumor markers". I did put it on my "questions for Onc" list.

Glad to hear that the weird white nails is not the kiss of death for the nails.

doronet

I have a big toenail that turned white.  I do believe for me that it is an indication that it could separate, but I have been babying it like crazy and wearing shoes with covered toes so no one hits the nail.

Yep, no idea what tumor markers are.

I have my one-mo radiation follow-up today.  I'm not even taking Ativan before I go.  That's a first for a dr. appt. for me through all this.  However, no needles, so that helps.  Guess a lot of us will be posting prior-to and follow-up results of "___ month follow-ups" for a while.

Glad to see there are postings again.  I, too, was hoping that no postings meant a good day!  Nette

BrendaSharon

Blood Marker Tests Last modified on May 17, 2010 Your doctor may order blood tests for cancer/tumor markers to detect cancer activity in the body. Proteins and circulating tumor cells are two types of markers that can be measured. A cancer tumor often produces a specific protein in the blood that serves as a marker for the cancer. Circulating tumor cells are cells that break off from... Hey Girls I just copy and pasted the above. It is from this forum. Just go to top of the home page for diagnosis and punch in "Tumor Markers" and this comes up. It gives a detailed explanation of what they are.Brenda 

MaryNY

My onc periodically tests for tumor markers in my blood. She doesn't do PET or CAT scans post chemo. So I suppose every onc is different in how they monitor their patients.

The two I've been checked for are Cancer Antigen 125 (CA 125) and Cancer Antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3).

CA-125 is primarily used to monitor therapy during treatment for ovarian cancer. CA-125 is also used to detect whether cancer has come back after treatment is complete. Series of CA-125 tests that show rising or falling concentrations are often more useful than a single result. This test is sometimes used to test and monitor high-risk women who have a family history of ovarian cancer but who do not yet have the disease.

CA 15-3 is not sensitive or specific enough to be considered useful as a tool for cancer screening. Its main use is to monitor a person's response to breast cancer treatment and to watch for breast cancer recurrence. CA 15-3 is sometimes ordered to give a doctor a general sense of how much cancer may be present (the tumor burden). CA 15-3 can only be used as a marker if the cancer is producing elevated amounts of it, so this test will not be useful for all breast cancer patients. 

Melinda41

I checked my blood work flow sheet from a little while back, they did have a slot for CA 15-3, but it was blank. So I assume they tested it at some point, but don't retest with the every week stuff.

Nette: Hope your follow up appt is non eventful and non anxiety producing.

I am curious as to the role the Rad Onc plays in the big picture. In my brain, my Onc Onc is in charge of the big picture, and the Rad Onc is like the surgeon, just takes care of his portion of the battle plan. Of course, I don't even have a Rad Onc yet, so what do I know!!

amIdoneyet

Hi all!  New to this forum  32 yo mom of 2 (ages 8 and soon to be 4!)  TN, BRCA -. I began chemo 11/09 and had last infusion 4/5/10.  Just 2 weeks out from lump +AND (5/12) and supposed to start rads in June.  I did 4 cycles of gemzar, taxotere, and avastin followed by 4 cycles of AC (first 2 with avastin) through a clinical trial.  Well, after surgery the clinical trial calls for 10 additional doses of avastin.  Has anyone had avastin as a single agent? And if so, how were the SE's if any? My Med Onc says that it is a "breeze and easy" compared to the combo chemo I previously had.