HELP with INFO

KaraKara

Hello ladies,

I am happy to have found this community of friendly, committed, strong, thoughtful and knowledgeable women, even despite my diagnosis, which brought me here.

My name is Karine, I am 55, diagnosed with BC a month ago. I had lumpectomy on 22.09.2016, just 13 days ago. Histology test showed an invasive ductal c-r Grade II-III. Cito examination of my dissected lymph nodes (they removed all, since there is no blue dye method here in my country) said that 2 of them were affected, while the other 11 showed signs of hyperplasia. My IHC report will be ready in a few days, yet my doctor already suggested me chemotherapy, which exactly they will know after the receptor status test.

I am not a US residence but I will get my US visa in a few days. My son is doing his PhD in Seattle, but he too is not a citizen. I was planning to visit the US before the diagnosis and now after it I am determined to get my treatment in the US, however I need to have a better idea of what to expect before I make a decision to leave my homeland and find myself in a place where I have never been before... with no insurance and little knowledge.

I do have SOME money, and as I have already had a surgery I will only need adjuvant chemotherapy and possibly radiation treatments. I am very much at a loss and I badly need your ideas and thoughts about the procedures, costs and options of treatment in the US. I know many of you have lots of experience and have gone through lots of procedures, associated with your treatment, so I would appreciate if you share your experiences and tell me what to expect from treatment in the US.

I need this info first of all to weigh my chances of actually getting treatment (affordability) and whether or not I should leave my homeland with very poor resources of cancer treatment, yet a place where I have a home and loved ones.

Thank you in advance, hope to hear your ideas,

Cheers,

Karine

Moderators

Hi Karine,

We're so sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but you've come to the best place for support and answers!

While you wait for responses from our ever-helpful community, you may want to check out the main Breastcancer.org site's section on Paying For Your Care, which offers lots of options for financial assistance to get the care you need.

Also, you may want to post your questions in the Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues forum to reach other members who may be able to help.

We hope this helps and we look forward to hearing more from you!

--The Mods