Canadian Health Care

Well, here's a little known secret!  My onc prescribed Neupogen and IF my supplemental insurance wasn't going to cover the cost, the visiting homecare nurse would issue me with a special "card" which would allow me to get the Rx free of charge.......My supp insurance did cover the cost ($2K+) between each tx., and if my dh hadn't learned how to give me the shots, the visiting nurse would have come every day.   Hmmmmm...how's that for Canadian healthcare?

I wonder, though, why some oncs prescribe neupogen, while others prefer neulasta.

I am always asked when I live the hospital whether or not I have extra insurance.  When I tell them that I do not, then they tell me about the home care program.  I have learned to keep them coming once a week just so I can keep the drug plan.

That's good to know about Home Care.

Re. Neulasta and Neupogen -- if you get chemo every week you can't have neulasta -- it needs 2 weeks between treatments.  Neupogen you can use for any type of cycle.

HRF -- I'll be in Ottawa -- the Ottawa Cancer Center.  I don't know what onc -- I haven't gotten that far in arranging things.  I did find out though, they only accept a referral from my Ottawa family doc, they won't take a referral from my Boston onc.  But my Ottawa doc is cool, I'll just have to send her my images, med records and she'll set it up for me for when I return.  If worse comes to worse, I can get my sister to speak to her -- they went to med school together and my sister is my doc's doc so they have a connection. Kinda weird, but helpful.  :-)

And that is a good idea to get the ball rolling before I return -- at least know what's available, read and understand info about programs, etc.  Thanks!!

And yes, Canada is a great, beautiful country!  We are very fortunate!

PIP, the Neulasta and Neupogen stimulate the growth of white blood cells so that we are less susceptible to infection during chemo. There are still days when the white count is low but not as many days as there would be without the Neulasta. I think it is part of the TC protocol now.

You know, there's no way of knowing if you're going to need the WC boost following a tx.  Since I seemed to have a very strong immune system (no colds, flu  etc. in about 6 years) my onc said I'd probably get through tx okay.  Hah!  After first FEC, my count was lower than normal but we proceeded with tx #2 anyhow.  That's when she prescribed neupogen (10 shots).  After the second FEC she upped the neupogen to 12 shots because my count was still on the low side.  So that continued thru taxotere as well -- and wouldn't you know that neupogen comes in a package of 10.....!

But, the good news is -- I didn't come down with any infections at all during chemo -- just the usual se's.  And those shots in the tummy are but a memory.......

PiP -- so glad to know Bailey's home and -- we hope -- feeling much better. Certainly your vet's bank account is

With FEC, I felt "fluish" for the first 3-4 days, then when I felt better, I had significant fatigue until a few days prior to the nex tx.  With taxotere, I really felt fluish most of the time -- plus having no taste buds, thrush and I don't remember what else -- I really, really hated TAX.

Neupogen doesn't get rid of the fatigue -- it only provides protection against infection, which the white cells are there to fight.  Low red cell count, on the other hand, is really the cause of the fatigue and, other than a blood transfusion, there isn't much we can do about that -- except sleep alot.

I had neulasta and had no problems for the first 3 dose dense AC, but the 4th one didn't seem to work and I ended up in the hospital with a fever, very low white cell count and quite anemic.  I had several days of IV antibiotics and a couple transfusions.  There was speculation that either that last dose was a bad batch or there was something wrong with the injection.  Then I started having terrible bone pains and switched to neupogen as they thought the lower doses might be easier on me.   I think it was, but I crashed again and ended up with more IV antibiotics and transfusions.

I certainly wasn't in a sterile environment especially for the first part of chemo - maybe that played a role.  I always thought my immune system was sturdy enough, rarely sick and all.  Because it was my second round of cancer and an agressive type my onc warned me that I would be treated agressively.   And they did, there was never any question of postponing a treatment.

Good work, gracie!!!!! My plan allows $500 every 2 years - it just got raised. I generally had been paying for some of the expense myself. Good to know there are options.

bluedahlia ... thank you for that information. I had no idea. Interestingly, my vision has improved significantly with chemo. I don't expect it to last but I'm enjoying not needing glasses or contact lenses for distance.

Dear Blue and all you ladies north of the border,

I want to thank you for your input on Coonie's thread. I have not posted much there because, for one thing, I am still recovering from dealing with some of those people during the campaign last year. It takes too much emotional energy to fight people set in their ways and not willing to hear another point of view. I share you fears of where   this country is going, and not because the Dems are in the majority (I'm one of the them) but because of the narrow vision of so many vocal elements. Yes, I am a coward posting here and not on the healthcare thread and if Shiryley finds this post, I'm in deep do--do. But I'm taking my chances and thanking you for your sincere and thoughtful imput.

Cherryl