OMG I'm Scared

Twodigit67

I live in Oklahoma, am uninsured and my husband makes just a LITTLE too much for me to qualify for medicaid here.  I have my husband, my home, my oldest daughter and her husband and 4 grandchildren here, 2 of them almost 3 months old.  Because I have been turned down for everything here, we have made the decision for me to leave and go to my other daughter's in Georgia where they have said they would approved me for help.  I really am glad I will get to see my other daughter and granddaughter there, but just don't want to leave the ones here either.  I also just got the news today that the second spot they found Monday is cancer too, sooooooo.  I have 2 lumps same breast (right), her-2+ (3+) er+ pr+ ki67- 40% and the surgeon though he felt a lymph during exam Monday.  I have to do herceptin adjuvant chemo prior to surgery and am really scared of side affects.  I have asthma from birth, diagnosed COPD 5 years now, recent high blood pressure, strong family history of congestive heart failure and am over weight by almost 100 lbs.  I know the side affects are increased respiratory problems and heart problems.   I am scheduled to fly out a week from Sunday and am half tempted to just stay home and hope for the best, because I have the worse feeling when I say goodbye to my family here I will never see them again.

Denise-G

I am so sorry you have to go through this.  It is very scarey and frightening, especially when you are forced to leave home.  You will make it through.  It is not easy, but you will do it!!  And of course you are afraid you won't live through it.  I certainly was.    I had heart trouble, high blood pressure and all kinds of other issues, but I did great!

I have a friend who left behind her family to get treatment in Texas because her daughter is there and lives near MD Anderson.  She left in February and will be gone until January.  But everything has worked out really well, she has gotten close to her granddaughters and daughter.

IT WILL BE OKAY...I just know it!!!  Praying for you, Denise

marywh

have you tried getting help from your hospital or even the pharm. company that makes the drug that you will be taking? I know in nc there is a program through the hospital that will help you with your bills. It is not medicaid. I was denied medicaid too. Also check with your pharm. company. They also have a program, or mine did and I think you can make up to 100,000 ayear and still be approved for it. those are my only suggestions. I hate to have to see you leave your family even though you will get to see your daughter and grand daughter. My heart goes out to you,sending prayers and hugs your way...

Twodigit67

Thank you Mary.  Actually the hospital I was diagnose at is OU Breast Institute and they have been wonderful.  They offered to reduce their cost 80% and set up a payment plan for the remaining 20%, (except for the reconstruction) which is awesome.  The problem is we are 2 hrs. from them and I will have to have my 7 wks. of radiation too and cannot afford to go back and forth to them every day.  And the only place I can get it done closer will make us pay for everything and we sure don't have that.  I have been on the phone for 3 wks. today searching, asking, begging etc.  I have gotten to the point a few times that I have just wanted to let the cancer take it's course, but not because of the cancer, but because the lack of financial options available.  I was a single mother for years before marrying my husband and I worked my butt off and never once drew a welfare check or foodstamps.  Instead I worked 70 hr. work weeks and did what I could on my own.  Now that I really NEED help I can't pull in together and fix this and I am angry and so frustrated it's unbelievable.  I just hate that I have to leave my husband and most my family until I either beat this or it beats me.

Twodigit67

Ahhh Thank you Denise that makes me feel better.

SelenaWolf

I'm sorry you are going through this.  It is such an awful time.

Part of your "staging" will involve, not only the diagnostic process, i.e., mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy pathology confirming malignancy, but a number of other tests, as well.  Your surgical pathology will be the most definitive and will include size of the tumor, number of lymph nodes affected, hormone receptor status, HER2 receptor status, the presence/absence of lymphovascular invasion, and a host of other details about your cancer.

Prior to starting treatment, you may, also, receive the following tests, which are, also, part of your "staging" because they add additional, important information about your general health.  They include:

Complete Blood Count (including tumor marker tests) - to check for undiagnosed, underlying medical problems you may not be aware of and to check for any circulating tumor cells in your blood;

Bone scan - to check for signs of bone metastasis;

Abdominal ultrasound - to check for signs of liver metastasis;

Chest x-ray - to check for signs of lung metastasis, as well as to check for any underlying issues and the extent of them.

CT/MRI - to confirm findings of the above.

MuGGA scan - to check your heart's pumping function.  This is a very important test prior to starting chemotherapy as some forms of chemotherapy can (but don't always) worsen existing heart issues.

In the United States, you will, also, likely have genetic testing to determine whether- or not you are BRCA+, as well as the OncoType test (if you are hormone receptor positive), which will give your oncologist an idea of how likely you are to recur with/without treatment.

All of the results - as well as your general health - will be taken into consideration when planning your treatment protocol.  However, keep in mind that not all women experience all the side effects of a given treatment.  Part of selecting your treatment plan will involve determining if the potential benefit of chemotherapy (i.e., will it add significantly to your long-term prognosis?) out-weighs the possible risks (i.e., worsening heart issues, etc.).  Ultimately, the decision to go-ahead will be up to you and what you are willing to risk... or not.

Twodigit67

Wow I wish I were that informed.  I have learned a lot about cancer in the past 3 weeks, but still feel lost half the time.

0000

Hi there,

I feel your anxiety. If it helps I live have lived in GA my entire life. Do you know where you will be receiving your treatments/surgery? I am new to BC, and I am in the stage of waiting to see the surgeon post lumpectomy.

Welcome to Georgia!

Jenifer