I'm scared and lonely

makingway · May 2009

After reading all the posts in the "putting on a happy face" topic, I know I'm not alone. I sure wish I had someone I could talk to...I haven't even had my mastectomy yet and I'm a basket case. Mostly because of all the problems I keep encountering. I had a doctor who was going to perform the surgery, and a plastic surgeon, who was willing to take the pittance my insurance was reimbursing him (Provided by the County). The "Clinic" aka homeless haven, were I started my process wanted to enroll me in "A Program". I've since found out that, once I'm in the program, I can't go the hospital with the 2 doctors I've already scheduled to do my surgery. The woman doctor (whom I've never met) in charge at the clinic must have called my surgeon because now my surgeon is not confirming my pre-op and mastemoy dates we had set up. She said the doctor at the clinic wanted to talk with me prior to confirming scheduling my pre-op and mastectomy. It was already scheduled!!!! She's scared her into not doing it!!! Stupid doctor, she's hell bent on sending me to that pilot hospital. The hospital I was going to is 5 minutes from my house and is a great hospital. Here's a comparison in both general surgeons and plastic surgeons at both hospitals the good one being first GS Good Hosp 41 Bad 10, PS 71 Bad 3. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know were one would get better care. I almost want to contact the newspaper and report the horrid care. As if, that would make a difference.... My 31 yr old daughter said I should be glad and take comfort in that, at least I have the not so great hospital to go to. Yeah, it's a real comfort. I haven't told my Mother nor 2 sisters, for the same reasons I've read in many posts here. I've tried everything I could possibly think of. I've asked my rich uncle for $13,000 for the good plastic surgeon I wanted. He denied me. After making me wait for a week so he could think about it-he was out of town. He said I should be most concerned with my health and that a good friend had told him that implants would obscure future mammograms. Mind you my uncle sold his company a couple of years ago for 3.8 million dollars...I contacted the Susan B Komen Foundation. The woman asked me if I had insurance. I told her yes, but it was bottom of the barrel from the county. She just gave me a phone no. to call. It turned out to be a place you could get screening done. I already had all that! And had told her so.

I'm not homeless. I just got laidoff from my State job, which BTW didn't provide health care coverage. I've worked for the Federal Government and had good health care when I did.How/Why is it that someone like myself ends up in this predicament?

I'm thinking about just walking into the good hospital @ my scheduled date and telling them I want an emergency mastectomy. Maybe that would work...

Sorry for boring everyone. I just have no one else who listens, willingly...

Debonthelake · May 2009

Dear Makingway,

My heart goes out to you. It is difficult enough to deal with the scare of breast cancer without also having to worry about the economic problems. Fortunately I had private insurance which paid well. It was a blessing. But, I had a high deductible and prior to paying it off I racked up a pretty nice bill at the oncologist office. I was waiting for my cancer insurance to pay off that bill. They sent me all kinds of pamphlets and phone numbers about a variety of programs to help with the medical expenses. I don't have them but, it seems like the billing department at the hospital you want to go to or even the billing department at your surgeons office might have numbers to refer you to. You might also find some answers by googling financial aide for breast cancer. There are programs out there. I wish I could give you more information. I should have kept all those pamphlets and numbers. God be with you. Perhaps someone else will reply who has some information that will help you.

mzmiller99 · May 2009

Makingway - I, too am so sorry to hear of your plight. And, I don't have any answers. Would you be able to have a lumpectomy instead? I'm thinking it would be less costly and then, maybe it could be done at the good hospital.

You are an example of what needs to be fixed with our health care system. I hope you have some success with your problems.

Susan

dlb823 · May 2009

makingway ~ I'm so sorry that you're faced with this frustration on top of bc. My first thought is, it's your body, and you shouldn't be forced into using surgeons you're not happy with. But, since you haven't met the "new" team yet, perhaps you should do that, just to see if they might be better than you think. The other thing you could do is call the original surgeons and ask them if you choose not to take part in the clinic's program because you do not have confidence in the surgeons or hospital involved, would they still honor the commitment they'd made to do your surgery before the clinic got involved. Afterall, I don't think that clinic can force you to use them.

As far as your uncle goes, I'm not sure if he based his decision on advice he believed to be in your best interest, or if he was happy to have an excuse not to get involved. Did he offer to help you in any way? If he doesn't approve of implants, is there something else he might do to help?

I also want to give you a link for an incredible resource list that one of the gals on this site put together. Some of the agencies and organizations listed work in specific states. Without knowing where you're located, perhaps there will be someone on this list that can give you assistance or direction. http://bb67.wikispaces.com

Hope this helps, and please keep us posted on your situation ~ Deanna

LeftVegasJudy · May 2009

Dear Makingway and Everybody:

This is my first post! I finished my major treatments in March, and it's been a year since my diagnosis (5/22/08). But I wanted to share some ideas on chosing doctors, managing bills, etc.

Frist, take charge of your medical treatment. If you don't feel comfortable with a doctor or other provider(s), find another. I recommend seeking treatment at National Cancer Centers, if it is possible for you Because they are teaching/research/treatment centers they have educated health care teams who understand cancer patients and want to help.( I got treatment at Ohio State's James Cancer Hospital, after moving from Las Vegas)

Talk to the oncology social worker at your hospital.This person can connect you with financial resources. Hospitals that receive federal funding, like National Cancer Centers, have programs in place to help those who have no or little insurance, if you qualify. But it takes time and patience to wait until approval and you'll get bills in the meantime.

Have a trusted caregiver or family member take care of the billing, insurance, and financial paperwork mess. Once under the throes of treatment you won't want to deal with money matters, but do keep yourself informed.

It's indeed scary when you are first diagnosed and don't know where to turn. Fighting cancer becomes your "full-time job" we are all there with you. -Judy

nelia48 · May 2009

Makingway, I hear you!!!!! I found the lump in my breast in 2001 and just figured I would die because I had no money, no job and no health insurance. Yes, maybe I could afford the mammogram, but that wuld be it, so what was the use???? In 2008, the tumor had grown soooo large, and had broken through the skin. I had to do something. I went to the county health clinic as I heard they gave free mammos. They hooked me up with the Women's Breast and Cervical Cancer Program. So far, it has paid for every last cent of my care. And I have the same doctors at the same cancer center that my sister went to with her private insurance plan.

Please check into this!

makingway · May 2009

Thank you everyone! for all your helpful suggestions and caring.

Update: I told my surgeon I was not in the program, and was not going to be in "The Program" that the Clinic Doctor told her I was. My original surgeon and plastic surgeon have now confirmed my appointments. Now I just have to cross my fingers and hope the "Clinic Doctor" doesn't cause me anymore problems.

sagit · June 2009

makingway, things could be worse. i didn't have insurance in the states, so my husband and i had 2 move 2 israel so that i can get care, and we hate it here! we r stuck here in the meantime, cause i'm illegal in the states. just wanted 2 give u some perspective.

I'm scared and lonely

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